2 Samuel 15:21-37

Hushai goes to Jerusalem

v. 31. And one told David, saying, Ahithophel, in whom David had trusted as his secret counselor, is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, in a brief sigh commending the matter to the Lord, O Lord, I pray Thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. The way for the fulfillment of this prayer was immediately prepared.

v. 32. And it came to pass that, when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshiped God, or, where men were wont to worship God, for the summits of hills, the so-called high places, were still used for that purpose at the time of David, behold, Hushai the Archite, came to meet him with his coat rent and earth upon his head, as a token of his sympathetic grief;

v. 33. unto whom David said, if thou passest on with me, joining his forces in the campaign which was sure to come, then thou shalt be a burden unto me, probably on account of his advanced age and feeble condition:

v. 34. but if thou return to the city and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, in the capacity of private counselor, 2 Samuel 16:16; 1 Chronicles 27:33, so will I now also be thy servant, then mayest thou for me, in the interest of David, defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. In this way Hushai could be of assistance in defeating the insurrection and restoring the rightful king to the throne.

v. 35. And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar, the priests? These two men also held to the cause of David. Therefore it shall be that what thing so ever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, with whom David had arranged to have such reports forwarded to him.

v. 36. Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me everything that ye can hear.

v. 37. So Hushai, David's friend, for such he remained during the events which followed, came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem, at about the same time. Note: It is the duty of all Christians not only to pray against the evil projects of the enemies, but also, so far as in them lies, to do all in their power to thwart the evil designs of the enemies against the kingdom of Christ.