2 Samuel 17:15

Hushai Sends Word to David

15 Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "{Thus and so} Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, but {thus and so} I have advised.

2 Samuel 17:15 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 17:15

Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests
After he was returned from the council board, he immediately went to these priests, who he knew were in the interest of David, and to whom he was to communicate, and by them transmit, what passed at Jerusalem, ( 2 Samuel 15:35 2 Samuel 15:36 ) ;

thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel;
relating to them in express words what he advised to:

and thus and thus have I counselled;
telling them in what manner he had given his counsel.

2 Samuel 17:15 In-Context

13 [Even] if he withdraws to a city, all Israel will bring up ropes to that city, and they will drag him away to the valley until there [is] not even a pebble to be found."

14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Arkite [is] better than the advice of Ahithophel." (Now Yahweh had ordained to frustrate the good counsel of Ahithophel in order for Yahweh to bring misery upon Absalom).

15 Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "{Thus and so} Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, but {thus and so} I have advised.

16 So then, send quickly and tell David, 'Don't spend the night at the fords of the wilderness! Moreover, by all means cross over lest the king and all the people who [are] with him be swallowed up.'"

17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz [were] staying at En Rogel, so a servant girl used to go and tell them, then they would go and tell King David, for they [were] not able to be seen coming to the city.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "so this and so this"
• [b]. Literally "so this and so this"