2Sa 16:16 | TNotes | STEP | 16:16 Long live the king! Hushai’s words were deliberately ambiguous. He was in fact an agent of the true king—David was truly “the man ... chosen by the Lord ” (16:18 ). Hushai avoided using the king’s name, leading Absalom to believe that Hushai was loyal to him rather than to David.

‏ 2 Samuel 16:16

16:16 ^a Long live the king! Hushai’s words were deliberately ambiguous. He was in fact an agent of the true king—David was truly “the man ... chosen by the Lord” (16:18 ^b). Hushai avoided using the king’s name, leading Absalom to believe that Hushai was loyal to him rather than to David.