2 Samuel 15:31-37
New American Standard Bible
31 Now someone informed David, saying, “(A)Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “Lord, please (B)make the advice of Ahithophel foolish.”
32 It happened as David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, that behold, Hushai the (C)Archite met him with his [a]coat torn, and [b]dust on his head. 33 And David said to him, “If you go over with me, then you will become (D)a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city and (E)say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; even as I was your father’s servant in time past, so now I will also be your servant,’ then you can foil the advice of Ahithophel for me. 35 Are Zadok and Abiathar the priests not with you there? So it shall be that (F)whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Behold (G)their two sons are there with them, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and (H)by them you shall send me everything that you hear.” 37 So Hushai, (I)David’s friend, came into the city, and (J)Absalom came into Jerusalem.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Samuel 15:32 Or tunic
- 2 Samuel 15:32 Lit earth
2 Samuel 15:31-37
International Standard Version
31 Just then, someone told David, “Ahithophel is one of Absalom’s conspirators!”
So David prayed, “Lord, please turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”
Hushai Serves as a Spy
32 Just as David was coming to the top of the Mount of Olives where God was being worshipped, there was Hushai the Archite to meet him, with his coat ripped and dust all over his head! 33 David greeted him, “If you come along with me, you’ll be a burden to me. 34 So go back to the city and tell Absalom, ‘I’ll be your servant, your majesty! Just as I served your father in the past, I can be your servant now.’ That way you can manipulate Ahithophel’s advice to my benefit. 35 Won’t Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? So whatever you hear from the king’s palace, you’re to report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Their two sons—Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan—are with them there. You’ll be sending me everything that you hear through them.” 37 So David’s friend Hushai went back to the city just as Absalom was arriving in Jerusalem.
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