HUSHAI, the Archite, David’s friend. He being informed of Absalom’s rebellion, and that David was obliged to fly from Jerusalem, met his King and his Friend upon an eminence without the city, with his clothes rent, and his head covered with earth. David perceiving him, told Æra 1023him, that if he went with him, he would be a burden to him; but that he might do him an important service, if he returned to the city, and pretended to be in Absalom’s interest, in order to defeat the counsel of Ahitophel; and that he should be careful to acquaint him with every thing that passed, by the means of Abiathar and Zadoc the High -Priests, to whom he should give notice of every thing.
2 Sam. xvi. 17, 18, &c.Hushai therefore returned to Jerusalem, and as he entred the city, Absalom likewise entred at the same time. To him therefore he went, and said to him, God save the King, God save the King. Absalom answered, Do you use your Friend in this manner? why are you not with David? Hushai said, I will be with him, whom the Lord hath chosen; and will continue with that King, whom this people and all the men of Israel have acknowledged. As I obeyed your father, so will I obey you. After 2 Sam. xvii. 1, 2, 3, &c.this, Ahitophel told Absalom, that he would take ten thousand men, and pursue David that very night; fall upon him, and defeat him, while he was overwhelmed with his fatigue. This advice seemed good to Absalom, and all in his interest.
But Absalom had a mind farther to know the opinion of Hushai the Archite, and sending for him, proposed what Ahitophel had said to him. Hushai answered, Ahitophel’s counsel is not proper at this time. You know your father, and they who are with him are men of great bravery, and exasperated with grief. David is a great soldier, and will make no stay in the open field; he is perhaps at this time hidden in some cave. If you attack him, and any misfortune happens to you, it will be said immediately, that Absalom’s party is defeated; and the bravest of those, who are attached to you, will be dispirited. In my judgment, it would be more advantageous to gather all Israel from Dan to Beersheba, after which you may fall upon your father and destroy his party, without leaving one man to follow him: if he should shut himself up in any city, all Israel will besiege him, pull every stone in the walls down with ropes, without leaving one stone upon another.
This advice of Hushai was approved by Absalom and all the Elders of the people; and God permitted thus the counsel of Ahitophel to be overborn, to the great misfortune of Absalom. Hushai immediately communicated what had passed to the High -Priests Zadok and Abiathar, and the news was soon carried to David, who ordered all his people to pass the river Jordan with all speed, lest Absalom, changing his resolution, might fall upon him with his troops. Ahitophel observing his counsel to be neglected, and foreseeing the destruction of Absalom, returned to his own house, and in despair hanged himself. We know not what the end of Hushai In the year of the World 2981, before J. C. 1019, before the Vulgar Æra 1023.was.