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Hushai

David's compatriot living at the time of United Monarchy

Hushai the Arkite was a loyal friend and advisor to King David, who helped him during Absalom's rebellion by countering the advice of Ahithophel.

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Hushai, also known as Hushai the Arkite, was a close friend and advisor to King David. He played a significant role during the rebellion of David's son Absalom, as recorded in 2Samuel 15-17.

When David fled from Jerusalem due to Absalom's rebellion, Hushai met him on the Mount of Olives, mourning and showing his loyalty to the king (2Sa.15.32). David instructed Hushai to return to Jerusalem and feign allegiance to Absalom, in order to counter the advice of Ahithophel, Absalom's counselor (2Sa.15.34).

Hushai followed David's plan and gained Absalom's trust (2Sa.16.16-19). When Ahithophel advised Absalom to pursue David immediately, Absalom sought Hushai's opinion (2Sa.17.5-7). Hushai cleverly countered Ahithophel's advice, suggesting that Absalom gather a larger army before pursuing David (2Sa.17.8-13). Absalom followed Hushai's advice, which bought David time to regroup and ultimately led to Absalom's defeat (2Sa.17.14-15).

Hushai's loyalty and wise counsel were instrumental in helping David overcome the crisis of Absalom's rebellion. His actions demonstrate the importance of faithful friends and advisors, especially in times of difficulty.

In addition to his role during Absalom's rebellion, Hushai is mentioned in 1Ki.4.16 as one of Solomon's twelve district governors, responsible for providing provisions for the king and his household. He is also listed in 1Ch.27.33 as one of David's counselors, along with Jonathan, David's uncle.

Hushai's service to both David and Solomon highlights his enduring loyalty to the Davidic dynasty and his valued role as a trusted advisor to the kings of Israel.

Family

Children
Baana

Connections

Part of: Kings, prophets and the house of David

Ahithophel and Hushai: competing counsellors

WorkStated in the text

Ahithophel, David's adviser, joined Absalom and advised an immediate pursuit. David's friend Hushai feigned loyalty to Absalom and persuaded him to wait, giving David time. Ahithophel hanged himself when his advice was rejected.

AhithophelDavid's compatriotHushaiDavid's compatriotAbsalomDavid's sonDavidKing of Judah
Where the text shows it: 2 Sam 15:12 — Ahithophel joins Absalom2 Sam 15:32-37 — Hushai sent back by David2 Sam 17:1-14 — The two plans2 Sam 17:23 — Ahithophel's suicide

Sources: 2 Sam 15:12 · 2 Sam 15:32-37 · 2 Sam 17:1-14 · 2 Sam 17:23

More background: search Wikipedia ↗

Bible dictionary

Hushai Easton Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)

Quick, “the Archite,” “the king’s friend” (1 Chr. 27:33). When David fled from Jerusalem, on account of the rebellion of Absalom, and had reached the summit of Olivet, he there met Hushai, whom he sent back to Jerusalem for the purpose of counteracting the influence of Ahithophel, who had joined the ranks of Absalom (2 Sam. 15:32, 37; 16:16-18). It was by his advice that Absalom refrained from immediately pursuing after David. By this delay the cause of Absalom was ruined, for it gave David time to muster his forces.

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Hushai, Or Hushai Smith Smith’s Bible Dictionary (1863)

(hasting) an Archite i.e. possibly an inhabitant of a place called Erec. (2 Samuel 15:32) ff.; (2 Samuel 16:16) ff. He is called the “friend” of David. (2 Samuel 15:37) comp. 1Chr 27:33 To him David confided the delicate and dangerous part of a pretended adherence to the cause of Absalom. (B.C. about 1023.) He was probably the father of Baana. (1 Kings 4:16)

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Hushai Hitchcock Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary (1869)

their haste; their sensuality; their silence

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Hushai Hastings Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible (1898)

HU'SHAI (rapid), an Archite, and a particular and faithful friend of David, 2 Sam 16:16. He gained such influence over Absalom as to prevail with his advice over Ahithophel, 2 Sam 17:14. During this time he remained David's friend.

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Hushai Schaff Schaff’s Dictionary of the Bible

HU'SHAI (rapid), an Archite, and a particular and faithful friend of David, 2 Sam 16:16. He gained such influence over Absalom as to prevail with his advice over Ahithophel, 2 Sam 17:14. During this time he remained David's friend.

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Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.

Where Hushai appears

13 verses in 3 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H2365

2 Samuel11
1 Kings1
1 Chronicles1

Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.