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 16:18KJV
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2 Samuel 16:18 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 16:18 mean?

2 Samuel 16:18 shows Hushai telling Absalom that he will serve whoever the LORD, the people, and all the men of Israel choose as king, and that he will stay loyal to that person. Hushai is making it sound like he is willing to support Absalom, but his words are carefully chosen.

Hushai is speaking to Absalom, who has just taken over Jerusalem in a rebellion against his father, King David. Hushai was a trusted advisor to David, but he stayed behind to act as a spy for David. In this verse, Hushai is cleverly answering Absalom’s question about his loyalty, using language that could be understood as support for Absalom, but also leaves room for loyalty to David, depending on how events unfold.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 16:18

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): Hushai mentions the LORD as the ultimate authority in choosing Israel’s leader, which subtly reminds Absalom that kingship is not just a matter of popular support or force, but of divine choice.
  • choose (בָּחַר, bachar): This word means to select or choose, often with the sense of a careful or deliberate choice. Hushai’s use of it points to the idea that true leadership comes from a process involving God, the people, and the men of Israel—not just a coup.
  • abide (יָשַׁב, yashav): This word means to dwell or remain. Hushai is saying he will “abide” with the chosen leader, which sounds loyal but is vague enough to keep his true allegiance hidden.

Why 2 Samuel 16:18 matters

  • This verse shows Hushai’s wisdom and careful use of words, allowing him to stay close to Absalom while secretly remaining loyal to David.
  • The mention of the LORD and the people as those who “choose” the king highlights the tension between divine authority, popular support, and political power in Israel’s leadership struggles.
  • Understanding Hushai’s answer helps explain how David’s supporters managed to gather information and influence events even while Absalom was in control of Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“Hushai” Hebrew H2365 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
  • 2 Samuel 17:5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.
  • 2 Samuel 17:14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

“Absalom” Hebrew H53 · used in 92 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
  • 2 Samuel 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
  • 2 Samuel 17:18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.