2Sa 16:15-23 | KingComments | STEP | As David asked him ( ), Hushai goes to Jerusalem to be the opponent of Ahithophel. When he gets there he goes to Absalom. He immediately breaks through any suspicion by saying to Absalom twice “[long] live the king!” He will undoubtedly mean this for David, but it misleads Absalom. Absalom is very surprised that Hushai seems to have defected to him. Yet he is not suspicious. He knows that Hushai is a friend of his father David and asks him if this is his kindness to his friend. Doesn’t it make his defection much worse that he now leaves his friend, who has been so good to him, by abandoning him and taking sides with his opponent? The answer Hushai gives is not a lie as his saying ‘long live the king’ was not a lie. When he speaks of “him whom the LORD has chosen”, this to him is David. Very skillfully Hushai connects his love for David with his defection to his son. After all, Absalom is the son of his friend, isn’t he? What could be more obvious than to serve the son who has taken over the power from his father? Absalom has no further questions about the arrival of Hushai. He feels very strengthened by the fact that he now has two advisers.

‏ 2 Samuel 16:15-23

Hushai Comes to Absalom

As David asked him (2Sam 15:32-37), Hushai goes to Jerusalem to be the opponent of Ahithophel. When he gets there he goes to Absalom. He immediately breaks through any suspicion by saying to Absalom twice “[long] live the king!” He will undoubtedly mean this for David, but it misleads Absalom.

Absalom is very surprised that Hushai seems to have defected to him. Yet he is not suspicious. He knows that Hushai is a friend of his father David and asks him if this is his kindness to his friend. Doesn’t it make his defection much worse that he now leaves his friend, who has been so good to him, by abandoning him and taking sides with his opponent?

The answer Hushai gives is not a lie as his saying ‘long live the king’ was not a lie. When he speaks of “him whom the LORD has chosen”, this to him is David. Very skillfully Hushai connects his love for David with his defection to his son. After all, Absalom is the son of his friend, isn’t he? What could be more obvious than to serve the son who has taken over the power from his father? Absalom has no further questions about the arrival of Hushai. He feels very strengthened by the fact that he now has two advisers.

The First Advice of Ahithophel

When asked by Absalom what should happen now, Ahithophel advises that he should have intercourse with the concubines his father left in Jerusalem. This will be clear proof to the whole people of his seizure of power. At the time, a king showed his power by taking the wives of the expelled king. This disgusting advice is followed without hesitation by Absalom. This is where Nathan’s word is fulfilled, which he has spoken about David as a punishment (2Sam 12:11-12).

Ahithophel is a satanic man. Satan is the great imitator. He looks like a lamb, but speaks as a dragon (Rev 13:11). The word of the dragon is accepted as the word of God. This also happens today in professing Christianity, where the Word of God is replaced by satanic teachings. The spirit of Ahithophel is among us. In Ahithophel we see a picture of the inspiration, the spirit of the antichrist, of whom Absalom is a picture.

It is remarkable that also for David, asking for the advice of Ahithophel is as asking for a word of God. Ahithophel must have been a very impressive person, astute and convincing. It may be a warning for us to see to it that no one takes us captive with beautiful talk or a glowing speech (Col 2:8).

However sharp and full of good advice Ahithophel may have been, he is also darkened in his mind. This is evident from his choice for the rebel against the king given by God. Perhaps, as has been assumed, he was also guided in his choice by feelings of hatred toward David, because of David’s dishonoring of Bathsheba. Bathsheba is his granddaughter (2Sam 11:3 ; 2Sam 23:34).