2 Samuel 17 Summary

Ahithophel counsels Absalom to let him choose twelve thousand men and pursue David that very night while he is weary and weak-handed, strike only the king, and bring all the people back in peace. This counsel pleases Absalom and all the elders of Israel. But Absalom summons Hushai and asks if his counsel is good or if Hushai has a better word. Hushai argues Ahithophel's plan is flawed, for David and his men are mighty and wrathful as a bear robbed of her whelps; David will not lodge with the people but will hide in a pit or stronghold. If David's men fall first, all who hear will say there is slaughter among Absalom's followers, and even the valiant will lose heart, since all Israel knows David is a mighty man with valiant men. Hushai counsels instead that all Israel be gathered to Absalom from Dan to Beersheba, as numerous as sand by the sea, and that Absalom go to battle himself, so they come upon David like dew on the ground, leaving not one. The Lord appointed to defeat Ahithophel's good counsel to bring evil upon Absalom, and Absalom and all Israel prefer Hushai's counsel. Hushai tells the priests Zadok and Abiathar what Ahithophel counseled and what he has counseled, instructing them to send word to David not to lodge in the wilderness but to pass over Jordan quickly. Jonathan and Ahimaaz hide by En-rogel, and a maid carries word to them. A lad sees them and tells Absalom; they flee to Bahurim and hide in a well covered with grain. Absalom's servants search but cannot find them. When they leave, the men come up from the well, go to David, and tell him to arise and pass quickly over Jordan, for Ahithophel has counseled against him. David and all his people pass over Jordan by morning, with not one left behind. When Ahithophel sees his counsel is not followed, he saddles his ass, goes home to his city, sets his household in order, and hangs himself, dying and being buried in his father's sepulcher.