17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will set out in pursuit of David tonight. 2 I will attack him while he is weary and discouraged,B throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will scatter. I will strike down only the kingf 3 and bring all the people back to you. When everyone returns except the man you’re looking for, allC the people will be at peace.” 4 This proposal seemed right to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

5 Then Absalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite also. Let’s hear what he has to say as well.”

6 So Hushai came to Absalom, and Absalom told him, “Ahithophel offered this proposal. Should we carry out his proposal? If not, what do you say?”

7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given this time is not good.” 8 Hushai continued, “You know your father and his men. They are warriors and are desperate like a wild bear robbed of her cubs.g Your father is an experienced soldier who won’t spend the night with the people. 9 He’s probably already hiding in one of the cavesD or some other place. If some of our troops fallE first, someone is sure to hear and say, ‘There’s been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then, even a brave man with the heart of a lionh will lose heartF because all Israel knows that your father and the valiant men with him are warriors. 11 Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba—as numerous as the sand by the seai—be gathered to you and that you personally go into battle. 12 Then we will attack David wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. Not even one will be left—neither he nor any of the men with him. 13 If he retreats to some city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag its stonesG into the valley until not even a pebble can be found there.” 14 Since the Lord had decreedj that Ahithophel’s good advice be underminedk in order to bring about Absalom’s ruin, Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than Ahithophel’s advice.”

DAVID INFORMED OF ABSALOM’S PLANS

15 Hushai then told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, “This is whatH Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is whatI I advised. 16 Now send someone quickly and tell David, ‘Don’t spend the night at the wilderness ford,J but be sure to cross over the Jordan,K,l or the king and all the people with him will be devoured.’ ”