2 Samuel
2 Samuel 17 ©
1 Ahithophel's counsel is defeated by Hushai's according to God's appointment. 15 Hushai sendeth intelligence secretly to David, who in haste passeth over Jordan. 23 Ahithophel hangeth himself. 25 Amasa is made captain of Absalom's host. 27 David's friends furnish him with provisions at Mahanaim.
And ethe saying 1pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
Then said Absalom, Call now fHushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what 2he saith.
And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his 3saying? if not; speak thou.
And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath 4given is gnot good at this time.
Therefore I counsel that nall Israel be generally gathered unto thee, ofrom Dan even to Beer-sheba, as pthe sand that is by the sea for multitude; and 8that thou go to battle in thine own person.
So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one.
Moreover, if he be *gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will qdraw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had 9appointed to rdefeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night tin the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.
And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, zThey be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for athus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
¶And when Ahithophel csaw that his counsel was not 10followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and *gat him home to his house, to his city, and 11put his household in order, and dhanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.