Hushai
“Quick or hasty”
Summary
Hushai the Archite was David's trusted friend and counselor who risked his life by remaining in Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
☩David's Counselor
Hushai was called "the Archite," indicating he came from Archi or Erech, west of Bethel on the border between Benjamin and Ephraim. He held the title of "the king's friend" or "companion," meaning he was David's vizier or intimate adviser. This position he doubtless attained through eminent services to David. When David fled Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion, Hushai met him with his coat rent and earth upon his head, signs of deep mourning.
☩Mission to Jerusalem
David persuaded the aging Hushai to return to Jerusalem, feign submission to Absalom, and try to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. Whatever Absalom decided, Hushai was to send word to David through Ahimaaz and Jonathan, sons of the priests Zadok and Abiathar. Hushai obeyed and succeeded in ingratiating himself with Absalom by saluting him with "God save the king" and flattering his vanity by claiming that God's choice and the whole people's support was so clear that he had no alternative but to serve the new king.
☩Defeating Ahithophel's Counsel
Ahithophel had given strategically sound advice: pursue David immediately with 12,000 men before he could regroup, strike while he was weary, and kill only the king. Hushai countered with deliberately grandiose but ultimately disastrous advice, playing on Absalom's fear of David's renowned valor and his vanity to lead a massive army personally. Hushai spoke in hyperboles suited to Absalom's shallow character, describing how all Israel would fall upon David "as the dew falleth on the ground." Absalom accepted Hushai's counsel over Ahithophel's.
☩The Aftermath
Hushai immediately communicated Absalom's decision to Zadok and Abiathar, warning David to cross the Jordan that night. This intelligence enabled David's escape and eventual military reorganization. Ahithophel, seeing his wise counsel rejected, recognized that Absalom's cause was doomed and went home to hang himself. The result was Absalom's ultimate defeat and death. Baanah son of Hushai later served as Solomon's commissariat officer in Asher, suggesting the family retained royal favor.
Related Verses14 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hushai," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Hushai," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hushai," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).