2 Samuel 15:31-37

New International Reader's Version

³¹ David had been told, “Ahithophel, along with Absalom, is one of the people making secret plans against you.” So David prayed, “Lord, make Ahithophel’s advice look foolish.”

³² David arrived at the top of the Mount of Olives. That’s where people used to worship God. Hushai, the Arkite, was there to meet him. His robe was torn. There was dust on his head. ³³ David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be too much trouble for me. ³⁴ So return to the city. Say to Absalom, ‘Your Majesty, I’ll be your servant. In the past, I was your father’s servant. But now I’ll be your servant.’ If you do that, you can help me by making sure Ahithophel’s advice fails. ³⁵ Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, will be there with you. Tell them everything you hear in the king’s palace. ³⁶ They have their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan there with them. Send them to tell me everything you hear.”

³⁷ So David’s trusted friend Hushai went to Jerusalem. He arrived just as Absalom was entering the city.