11
Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
12
So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground; and of him and of all the men who are with him there shall not be left so much as one.
13
Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city; and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there."
14
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel." For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, with the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
15
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and thus have I counseled.
16
Now therefore send quickly and tell David, saying, `Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over, lest the king be swallowed up and all the people who are with him.'"
17
Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel, for they dared not be seen to come into the city; and a maidservant went and told them, and they went and told King David.
18
Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom; but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court, whither they went down.
19
And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.
20
And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" And the woman said unto them, "They have gone over the brook of water." And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
21
And it came to pass, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well and went and told King David, and said unto David, "Arise, and pass quickly over the water, for thus hath Ahithophel counseled against you."