Jo’s Place

Hushai Warns David to Escape Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, what Ahithophel had said, to Absalom, and the elders of Israel …and what he himself had advised, instead.  “Quick!” he told them.  “Find David, and urge him not to stay at the shallows, of the Jordan River, tonight.  He must go across, at once, into the wilderness, beyond.  Otherwise, he will die, and his entire army, with him.”  Jonathan and Ahimaaz had been staying at En-rogel, so as not to be seen entering and leaving the city.  Arrangements had been made, for a servant girl, to bring them the message, that they were to take, to King David.  But, a boy spotted them, at En-rogel, and he told Absalom about it.  So, they quickly escaped to Bahurim, where a man hid them, down inside a well, in his courtyard.  The man’s wife put a cloth, over the top, of the well,    and scattered grain on it, to dry, in the sun; so no one suspected, that they were there.  When Absalom’s men arrived, they asked her,  “Have you seen

Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice Absalom said,  “Bring in Hushai the Arkite.  Let’s see what he thinks about this.”  When Hushai arrived, Absalom told him, what Ahithophel had said.  Then he asked,  “What is your opinion?  Should we follow Ahithophel’s advice?  If not, what do you suggest?”  “Well,” Hushai replied to Absalom, “this time Ahithophel has made a mistake.  You know your father and his men; they are mighty warriors.  Right now, they are as enraged, as a mother bear, who has been robbed of her cubs.  And remember, that your father is an experienced man of war.  He won’t be spending the night, among the troops.  He has probably already hidden, in some pit or cave.  And, when he comes out, and attacks, and a few of your men fall, there will be panic among your troops, and the word will spread, that Absalom’s men are being slaughtered.  Then, even the bravest soldiers, though they have the heart of a lion, will be paralyzed with fear.  For all Israel knows, what a mighty warr

Ahithophel Advises Absalom Absalom, and all the army of Israel, arrived at Jerusalem, accompanied by Ahithophel.  When David’s friend, Hushai, the Arkite, arrived, he went immediately to see Absalom.  “Long live the king!” he exclaimed.  “Long live the king!”  “Is this the way you treat your friend, David?” Absalom asked him.  “Why aren’t you with him?”  …and Hushai replied, “I’m here, because I belong to the man, who is chosen, by the Lord, and by all the men, of Israel.”  “And anyway, why shouldn’t I serve you?  Just as I was your father’s adviser, now I will be your adviser!”  Then, Absalom turned to Ahithophel, and asked him,  “What should I do next?”  Ahithophel told him,  “Go and sleep with your father’s concubines, for he has left them here, to look after the palace.  Then all Israel will know, that you have insulted your father, beyond hope of reconciliation, and they will throw their support to you.”  So, they set up a tent, on the palace roof, where everyone could see it, and

Ziba, Shimei, and David When David had gone a little beyond the summit of the Mount of Olives, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, was waiting there for him.  He had two donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 bunches of summer fruit, and a wineskin full of wine.  “What are these for?” the king asked Ziba.  Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s people, to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit are for the young men, to eat.  The wine is for those, who become exhausted, in the wilderness.”  “And where is Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson?” the king asked him.  “He stayed in Jerusalem,” Ziba replied.  “He said, ‘Today I will get back the kingdom, of my grandfather Saul.’ ”  “In that case,” the king told Ziba, “I give you everything Mephibosheth owns.”  “I bow before you,” Ziba replied.  “May I always be pleasing to you, my lord the king.”  Then, as King David came to Bahurim, a man came out, of the village, cursing them.  It was Shimei, son of Gera, from