2 Samuel 16 17

2 Samuel 16:17 kjv

And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?

2 Samuel 16:17 nkjv

So Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"

2 Samuel 16:17 niv

Absalom said to Hushai, "So this is the love you show your friend? If he's your friend, why didn't you go with him?"

2 Samuel 16:17 esv

And Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"

2 Samuel 16:17 nlt

"Is this the way you treat your friend David?" Absalom asked him. "Why aren't you with him?"

2 Samuel 16 verses

2 Samuel 16 17 Meaning

This verse captures Absalom's immediate and sharp questioning of Hushai's allegiance. Upon seeing David's most trusted advisor, Hushai, now with him in Jerusalem, Absalom expresses suspicion regarding Hushai's presence and demands an explanation for why he did not flee with King David. It is a direct challenge to Hushai's professed loyalty and an initial test of his intentions amidst the ongoing rebellion.

2 Samuel 16 17 Context

This verse is set immediately after Absalom's arrival in Jerusalem following David's flight. David, recognizing the potential for conflict and the need for intelligence within Absalom's camp, had strategically instructed his loyal advisor, Hushai, to feign allegiance to Absalom (2 Sam 15:32-37). Hushai’s dramatic tearing of his robe and public display of grief and change of loyalty caught Absalom's attention. Absalom, a shrewd and calculating leader, does not immediately accept Hushai's supposed defection. Instead, he subjects Hushai to a pointed interrogation, expressing suspicion about his loyalty given Hushai's deep and known relationship with David. This encounter is critical as it sets the stage for Hushai's pivotal role in countering Ahithophel's counsel and ultimately leading to Absalom's downfall.

2 Samuel 16 17 Word analysis

• And Absalom said: Marks a direct and assertive verbal engagement, indicating Absalom's immediate challenge to Hushai.
• to Hushai: Specific target of Absalom's inquiry, highlighting his direct interest in this significant figure from David's court.
• "Is this your loyalty...?": A rhetorical question laden with suspicion and implied accusation. It doesn't seek new information but rather demands justification for a perceived breach of conduct.
  • loyalty: Hebrew: חֶסֶד (chesed). This word signifies more than just affection; it implies covenant faithfulness, steadfast love, and devotion. By using chesed, Absalom appeals to a deeply understood cultural concept of unwavering commitment, implicitly accusing Hushai of violating his chesed to David. The irony is profound: Hushai is demonstrating his true chesed to David by his actions, even if they appear disloyal to Absalom.
• ...to your friend?: Refers to King David. Emphasizes the pre-existing, strong, and well-known bond between David and Hushai, making Hushai's current presence with Absalom appear all the more questionable. The use of "friend" (רֵעַ - re'a, meaning companion, associate, friend) stresses the intimacy of the relationship David and Hushai shared, amplifying Absalom's implied accusation of betrayal.
• Why did you not go with your friend?": A direct, probing question demanding an explanation for Hushai's perceived absence from David's side during the flight. This questions the very act of leaving David, suggesting that true loyalty would dictate continued accompaniment, especially in times of crisis.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Is this your loyalty to your friend?": This interrogative phrase conveys Absalom's deep suspicion and serves as a challenge to Hushai's apparent change of allegiance. It foregrounds the central theme of loyalty, particularly chesed, in relationships, especially with a reigning king, even one in exile. Absalom is manipulating a fundamental ethical principle to test Hushai's sincerity.
• "Why did you not go with your friend?": This follow-up question directly challenges Hushai's decision not to join David's retreat. It posits that a true "friend" (and a loyal subject) would have accompanied the king, implying that Hushai's presence in Jerusalem is contradictory to the expected behavior of a devoted companion. This directly prompts Hushai for an elaborate and convincing explanation, which he brilliantly provides in the subsequent verses.

2 Samuel 16 17 Bonus section

• Hushai's Peril: Hushai was walking a very thin line. One misstep in his response could have cost him his life, demonstrating his immense courage and commitment to King David's cause. His willingness to put himself in such danger highlights the strength of his chesed for David.
• The Stakes of the Conversation: This conversation sets the stage for one of the most significant intelligence operations in the Bible. The success or failure of David's return hinges heavily on Hushai's ability to deceive Absalom here and in future councils.
• Divine Foreknowledge and Plan: While Hushai's wit and bravery are evident, the broader biblical narrative (e.g., 2 Sam 17:14) emphasizes that the Lord had already purposed to defeat Ahithophel's counsel. Hushai became a willing instrument in God's overarching plan, making this human interaction part of a larger divine purpose.

2 Samuel 16 17 Commentary

2 Samuel 16:17 captures a moment of intense scrutiny where Absalom, astute in assessing character and motives, tests Hushai's professed defection from David's camp. His questions are not merely curious but accusatory, demanding a justification for what appears to be a flagrant abandonment of a deeply valued friendship and loyalty. The use of the word "chesed" underscores the gravity of Absalom's implied charge – that Hushai had broken a covenantal bond of faithfulness. This interrogation is vital for David's strategy; Hushai's successful evasion of Absalom's suspicion is the first step in his divinely orchestrated mission to counter Ahithophel’s deadly counsel and protect David. It exemplifies the shrewdness required in political maneuvering during a power struggle, with loyalty being the most critical commodity.