2 Samuël 16:17

17 Maar Absalom zeide tot Husai: Is dit uw weldadigheid aan uw vriend? Waarom zijt gij niet met uw vriend getogen?

2 Samuël 16:17 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 16:17

And Absalom said to Hushai, [is] this thy kindness to thy
friend?
&c.] Meaning to David; though he would not mention his name, nor his title, nor even the relation of a father he stood in to him, only speaks of him as Hushai's friend: Hushai had professed great friendship to David, and David had been a friend to Hushai, had raised him to great honour in making him a counsellor, and had bestowed many favours and benefits on him, as Absalom knew full well; and therefore, to try his integrity, he puts this question, not as displeased with him, but overjoyed that such a trusty friend of David, and a wise counsellor of his, had deserted him, and come over to him and his party; nor does he mean to charge him with ingratitude, which he could not do without reproaching himself; on whom it might be justly retorted, is this thy kindness to thy father that begot thee, and has always expressed such a strong affection for thee, as to rebel against him?

why wentest thou not with thy friend?
with David, when he went out of Jerusalem; for Absalom knew not that Hushai had been with David, but thought he stayed behind at Jerusalem, when David fled, which made him less suspicious of him.

2 Samuël 16:17 In-Context

15 Absalom nu en al het volk, de mannen van Israel, kwamen te Jeruzalem, en Achitofel met hem.

16 En het geschiedde, als Husai, de Archiet, Davids vriend, tot Absalom kwam, dat Husai tot Absalom zeide: De koning leve, de koning leve!

17 Maar Absalom zeide tot Husai: Is dit uw weldadigheid aan uw vriend? Waarom zijt gij niet met uw vriend getogen?

18 En Husai zeide tot Absalom: Neen, maar welken de HEERE verkiest, en al dit volk, en alle mannen van Israel, diens zal ik zijn, en bij hem zal ik blijven.

19 En ten andere, wien zou ik dienen? Zou het niet zijn voor het aangezicht zijns zoons? Gelijk als ik voor het aangezicht uws vaders gediend heb, alzo zal ik voor uw aangezicht zijn.