What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 17:6? So Hushai came to Absalom – Hushai has obeyed David’s quiet commission to infiltrate Absalom’s circle (2 Samuel 15:32-37). – His arrival underscores God’s providential timing; David had just prayed that Ahithophel’s counsel be frustrated (2 Samuel 15:31). – Close friend though he is to David, Hushai presents himself as a loyal supporter of Absalom (2 Samuel 16:16-19), modeling the shrewd innocence Jesus later commends (Matthew 10:16). who told him – Absalom immediately debriefs Hushai, treating him as a trusted adviser. – Wise rulers surround themselves with counselors (Proverbs 11:14), yet Absalom’s choice of counselors will reveal his heart (Proverbs 13:20). “Ahithophel has spoken this proposal.” – Ahithophel’s advice to strike David that very night (2 Samuel 17:1-4) looked flawless, and his reputation for inspired counsel made it hard to question (2 Samuel 16:23). – But God was already answering David’s prayer by bringing another voice to the table (2 Samuel 15:31; Job 5:12). “Should we carry it out?” – Absalom pauses before acting, a rare moment of caution. – By seeking confirmation he unwittingly opens the door for God to intervene (2 Samuel 17:14; Proverbs 16:9). – His question exposes a leader’s vulnerability when his heart is not anchored in the Lord (1 Kings 12:6-11 illustrates the danger of divided counsel). “If not, what do you say?” – The invitation is exactly what Hushai needed to sabotage the scheme. – Behind the scene the Lord “thwarts the plans of the crafty” (Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 8:10). – Hushai will appeal to Absalom’s vanity and fear, buying David precious time (2 Samuel 17:7-13), and God will ensure Ahithophel’s wise words are rejected (2 Samuel 17:14). summary 2 Samuel 17:6 captures the decisive hinge in Absalom’s rebellion: a seasoned rebel pausing to weigh counsel, a faithful friend positioned by God, and the unseen hand directing every word. The verse teaches that even the most persuasive human strategies bow to the Lord’s sovereign plan, reminding us to seek counsel that aligns with His purposes and to trust that He can overturn any scheme set against His anointed. |
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