2 Samuel 16:18 kjv
And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
2 Samuel 16:18 nkjv
And Hushai said to Absalom, "No, but whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain.
2 Samuel 16:18 niv
Hushai said to Absalom, "No, the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, and by all the men of Israel?his I will be, and I will remain with him.
2 Samuel 16:18 esv
And Hushai said to Absalom, "No, for whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain.
2 Samuel 16:18 nlt
"I'm here because I belong to the man who is chosen by the LORD and by all the men of Israel," Hushai replied.
2 Samuel 16 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 15:23 | "...Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king." | God rejects one king (Saul). |
| 1 Sam 15:28 | "Then Samuel said to him, 'The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.'" | God gives kingdom to a "better neighbor." |
| 1 Sam 16:12 | "And the LORD said, 'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.'" | God chooses David as king. |
| 2 Sam 15:31 | "And David said, 'O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.'" | David prays against Ahithophel's counsel. |
| 2 Sam 15:32-34 | "When David came to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn... David said to him, 'If you go with me, you will be a burden... you can defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.'" | Hushai's loyalty and David's instruction. |
| 2 Sam 17:7 | "Then Hushai said to Absalom, 'The counsel of Ahithophel is not good this time.'" | Hushai counters Ahithophel. |
| 2 Sam 17:14 | "For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring harm upon Absalom." | God's sovereign orchestration of events. |
| Job 5:12-13 | "He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success... He catches the wise in their own craftiness..." | God frustrates shrewd plans. |
| Ps 33:10-11 | "The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever..." | God frustrates human plans, establishes His own. |
| Ps 76:10 | "Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; with the remainder of wrath you will clothe yourself." | God uses even human evil for His purposes. |
| Ps 89:19-20 | "Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one... 'I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him.'" | God's chosen servant, David. |
| Prov 21:1 | "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will." | God directs the ruler's will. |
| Is 44:25 | "who frustrates the omens of liars and makes fools of diviners; who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish;" | God makes the counsel of wise men foolish. |
| Jer 1:10 | "See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant." | God's authority over nations/kingdoms. |
| Dan 2:21 | "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings..." | God installs and removes rulers. |
| Hos 8:4 | "They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but I knew it not." | Kings not chosen by God lack true legitimacy. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." | All authority is from God. |
| 1 Cor 1:19 | "For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.'" | God thwarts human wisdom (parallel to Ahithophel). |
| Phil 2:7-8 | "[Christ] emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men... he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." | Contrast of loyalty; Hushai to David vs. Christ to Father. |
| Titus 2:7-8 | "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works... sound speech that cannot be condemned..." | Honesty as an ideal; Hushai's means were expedient. |
| Heb 1:2 | "[God] in these last days has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." | God's ultimate choice for universal rule. |
2 Samuel 16 verses
2 Samuel 16 18 Meaning
Hushai, appearing before Absalom, artfully declares his allegiance not based on prior loyalties but on what he frames as divinely and popularly ordained. He asserts that he will commit himself fully to and remain with whomever "the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel choose." This statement, while seemingly affirming Absalom's self-proclaimed legitimacy, is a shrewd and deceptive maneuver to infiltrate Absalom's inner circle and serve King David's interests, thus subtly aligning his words with the true will of God.
2 Samuel 16 18 Context
Following Absalom's successful coup and King David's forced flight from Jerusalem, David strategically deploys his loyal friend, Hushai the Archite, to feign allegiance to Absalom. This act is crucial because David had specifically prayed that the Lord would turn the shrewd counsel of Absalom's chief advisor, Ahithophel, into foolishness (2 Sam 15:31). Hushai's arrival at Absalom's camp prompts suspicion from Absalom, who questions his change of loyalty from David. The historical context reflects a dynastic crisis where legitimate succession, divine choice, and popular support were critical factors in establishing rule. Hushai's answer in verse 18 is a pivotal moment where he deftly navigates this complex situation to serve God's ongoing purpose for David's kingship by manipulating Absalom's perception of divine and popular will.
2 Samuel 16 18 Word analysis
- "And Hushai said to Absalom, 'No, but": This strong disjunction serves to emphatically reject Absalom's implied premise or question regarding Hushai's abandonment of David. The "No" forcefully refutes any notion that Hushai is changing sides casually or due to opportunism (e.g., as Ahithophel did). The "but" introduces Hushai's true stated principle for his actions – an appeal to a higher authority and legitimacy than mere personal loyalty to David at that moment. This rhetorical pivot establishes a new ground for his claimed allegiance.
- "whom the LORD":
- Hebrew: יהוה (YHWH – Yahweh), the covenantal name of God. This reference immediately elevates the choice above human caprice to divine decree. Absalom, in his bid for power, likely claimed divine favor. By invoking "the LORD," Hushai frames his loyalty in terms that Absalom would find agreeable and validating, implying that God's favor was now on Absalom, the apparent victor. This subtly redefines legitimacy, seemingly validating Absalom's current ascendancy while inwardly Hushai knows God's true choice remains David.
- "and this people and all the men of Israel":
- This phrase emphasizes popular consensus and national backing, adding another layer of perceived legitimacy. A king's rule in ancient Israel ideally required both divine appointment and the affirmation of the people (e.g., the acclamation of Saul and David). Hushai appeals to this combination, knowing Absalom coveted widespread popular support to solidify his reign. He strategically frames the people's shift of loyalty to Absalom as the definitive sign of who should be followed.
- "choose":
- Hebrew: בָּחַר (bakhar), meaning "to choose," "to select," "to prefer," or "to appoint." This verb carries the weight of divine selection, as seen in God's choice of Israel or His choice of a king. By using this term, Hushai suggests a definitive, legitimate process of selection, rather than mere rebellion or overthrow. This implies that the current state of affairs (Absalom's apparent success) is a manifestation of God and the people's collective "choice."
- "his I will be": This is a declaration of personal and utter devotion, indicating that Hushai considers himself a servant or belonging to the chosen one. It speaks to a profound commitment, designed to sound like unconditional surrender and dedication.
- "and with him I will remain": This signifies continued, enduring presence and loyalty. It assures Absalom that Hushai will not only commit to him but stay by his side, ready to advise and serve. This further establishes Hushai's credibility as a new, committed adherent to Absalom's cause.
- "whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain" (words-group analysis): This entire phrase is a brilliant and deceptive rhetorical construct. Hushai crafts his response to validate Absalom's assumed legitimacy by presenting himself as a servant of true authority – derived from divine decree and popular will. Absalom, confident in his widespread support and perhaps believing he already possesses divine favor due to his immediate success, readily accepts this. This artful deception allows Hushai to penetrate Absalom's counsel and ultimately foil Ahithophel's advice, fulfilling David's prayer and God's larger plan. It is an example of expedient wisdom (human shrewdness) being used for a divinely ordained purpose.
2 Samuel 16 18 Bonus section
The account of Hushai's cunning serves as a theological lesson on God's sovereignty over human events, even rebellion and treachery. Despite David's dire situation and Absalom's popular ascent, the Lord remained in control. David's simple prayer in 2 Samuel 15:31 — that God would turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness — highlights the power of relying on God in times of crisis. Hushai's deception, while ethically questionable in isolation, becomes an instrument of God's providence to save David and his lineage, thus safeguarding the promise of the Davidic covenant which pointed ultimately to Christ. It also showcases how God can work through the cleverness of individuals to accomplish His purposes, frustrating the plans of the wicked through unexpected means.
2 Samuel 16 18 Commentary
2 Samuel 16:18 presents a masterful display of strategic deception. Hushai, deeply loyal to David and serving as a mole within Absalom's rebel camp, delivers an answer crafted to disarm Absalom's suspicion and gain his trust. He avoids a direct lie about his loyalty to David but instead redirects the basis of his allegiance. By appealing to a "choice" made by "the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel," Hushai skillfully articulates a principle that Absalom would interpret as validating his own kingship. Absalom would perceive himself as the chosen one of both God and the nation, given the current circumstances and his apparent popular support. This response allows Hushai to position himself as a loyal follower of whoever has the true mandate, making his seemingly rapid change of allegiance appear principled rather than opportunistic or treacherous. The profound significance lies in Hushai's successful infiltration, setting the stage for him to counteract Ahithophel's counsel and ultimately ensure Absalom's downfall, thereby preserving David's throne according to God's purpose.
Examples of similar cunning:
- Rahab's deception of Jericho's king to protect the Israelite spies (Josh 2:1-6).
- The Gibeonites' ruse to make a treaty with Joshua (Josh 9).These instances highlight that in the broader narrative, morally complex actions can sometimes serve a higher, divinely purposed end within the flow of biblical history.