2 Samuel 16:16

16 And when Hushai of Archi, the friend of David, had come to Absalom, he said to him, Hail, king! hail, king!

2 Samuel 16:16 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 16:16

And it came to pass that when Hushai the Archite, David's
friend, was come unto Absalom
Who came into Jerusalem at the same time that Absalom did, and who, no doubt, took the first opportunity to make his court to him, ( 2 Samuel 15:37 ) ;

that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king;
or "may the king live" ^F3, live long, and his kingdom be permanent; these words are very ambiguous, he might mean David, who was true and lawful king, though he would have them understood of Absalom, who was king by usurpation, in which he used great deceit and flattery; and that he might not be suspected of it, but be thought to be sincere and truly loyal to Absalom, he repeats the wish.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (Klmh yxy) "vivat rex", Pagninus. Montanus

2 Samuel 16:16 In-Context

14 And so king David came, and all the people weary with him, and they were refreshed there. (And so the king, and all the people who were with him, came weary to the Jordan River, and they were refreshed there.)

15 And Absalom, and all the people of Israel entered into Jerusalem, but also Ahithophel with him (and Ahithophel was with him).

16 And when Hushai of Archi, the friend of David, had come to Absalom, he said to him, Hail, king! hail, king!

17 To whom Absalom said, This is thy grace to thy friend (This is how thou showest thy loyalty to thy friend?); why wentest thou not with thy friend?

18 And Hushai answered to Absalom, Nay, for I shall be the servant of him, whom the Lord hath chosen, and all this people, and all Israel; and I shall dwell with him (and I shall stay with him).