³² When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai^(A) the Arkite^(B) was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust^(C) on his head. ³³ David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be a burden^(D) to me. ³⁴ But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘Your Majesty, I will be your servant; I was your father’s servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,’^(E) then you can help me by frustrating^(F) Ahithophel’s advice.

¹⁴ Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice^(A) of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.”^(B) For the Lord had determined to frustrate^(C) the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster^(D) on Absalom.^(E)