But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
2 SAMUEL 15:34KJVWhat does 2 Samuel 15:34 mean?
2 Samuel 15:34 records David instructing Hushai to return to Jerusalem and pretend to serve Absalom, so that Hushai can secretly help David by countering the advice of Ahithophel. David hopes Hushai’s presence in Absalom’s court will allow him to undermine Ahithophel’s counsel from within.
In this verse, David is speaking to Hushai as David flees from Absalom’s rebellion. David tells Hushai to go back to the city (Jerusalem), address Absalom as king, and offer his service just as he served David. The goal is for Hushai to act as a loyal advisor to Absalom, but actually to work against the advice of Ahithophel, who is now supporting Absalom.
The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 15:34
- "Return" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to go back or turn back. David is asking Hushai not to continue fleeing with him, but to deliberately return to Jerusalem, which is a risky but strategic move.
- "Defeat" (פָּרַר, parar): This word means to frustrate, break, or nullify. David wants Hushai to actively work to make Ahithophel’s advice ineffective or useless in Absalom’s eyes.
- "Counsel" (עֵצָה, etsah): This refers to advice or guidance. Ahithophel was known for wise counsel, so David’s hope is that Hushai can disrupt this key source of strategy for Absalom.
Why 2 Samuel 15:34 matters
- This verse shows David’s strategic thinking and reliance on loyal friends, even in desperate times, rather than just military strength.
- The verse highlights the importance of advice and counsel in leadership, as David specifically targets Ahithophel’s influence over Absalom.
- Understanding this verse helps clarify the unfolding drama in David’s flight and Absalom’s rebellion, setting up the tension between the wisdom of Ahithophel and the loyalty of Hushai.