MEETING HUSHAI
In this lesson I want to introduce Hushai. He is one of King David’s loyal friends, but their relationship is so much more than mere friendship. Hushai is also a very wise counselor. When David needs advice, he seeks out Hushai. He knows Hushai can be trusted above many of his other counselors.
This man named Hushai is the next person King David encounters as he escapes Absalom. They met as the King and his family travel the road out of Jerusalem and into a wilderness exile. Everyone knows of Hushai. He is said to be “a friend to the King.”
LOYAL IN SORROW AS WELL AS JOY
At this point of the journey, King David and his people are walking up the Mount of Olives. By the time they reach the summit every face is covered in sorrow. They are in mourning, walking barefoot with dust on their heads. This is a typical form of expression in the culture when people desire to react sadly to an important cultural change and/or a significant historical event. The people are crying. King David is walking ahead of the crowd, also shedding tears of sorrow.
In 2 Samuel 15:32, we hear of the travelers meeting a man named Hushai. That scripture reads,“When David arrived at the summit where he used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.”
HUSHAI RECEIVES INSTRUCTION FROM DAVID
Clearly, Hushai was ready and willing to walk with King David into exile. When King David saw Hushai he said, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me.” This might have caused Hushai concern until he heard the next comments. “But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’
Perhaps this made the expression on Hushai’s face change to excitement. I have a feeling Hushai was a man who cherished adventure. It seems He especially loved adventure with a cause. His cause was to show loyalty to his king.
SURROUNDED BY GOOD MEN
David continued with his request to Hushai. “ Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report to them everything you hear from the king’s palace. Indeed, their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with everything you hear.”
I can imagine the smile on Hushai’s face. He knows he will be serving well in this very important matter to the king. His life is one that is lived in readiness to defend the Kingdom.
Also, Hushai recognizes men he can trust will surround him in this mission. Hushai knows these other loyal servants will cooperate. Time has proved they can be trusted. They will be very helpful as he does his duty for the Kingdom.
So, Hushai doesn’t waste a minute. In no time at all he is turning around and heading back for Jerusalem. I suppose Hushai’s heart was as faithful to the holy city as David’s. Any action on Hushai’s part which could possibly relieve the events of treason to the Kingdom brought him hope. This servant was quick and did not hesitate to play his part in the security of King David.
HUSHAI THE SPY
So, David’s friend Hushai arrived in Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city. Of course Absalom made his usual dramatic entrance. In front of the curious and excited public, Hushai agrees to act as an advisor to Absalom. Of course this agreement was in order to sabotage Absalom’s plans while secretly sending information to David.
Consequently, it was on Hushai’s advice that Absalom did not immediately pursue the retreating David. Hushai’s wise counsel to Absalom gave David time to regroup and gather his forces. Also, Hushai’s clever sabotage helped to ensure Absalom’s rapid defeat. Again, Hushai’s loyalty to King David greatly influenced the events surrounding Absalom’s attempt to take the Kingdom.
A FRIEND TO THE KING
The scriptures define Hushai as “a friend of the King.” Though David and Hushai truly were friends and/or close acquaintances, this phrase was actually an official courtly title. In that day people with this title were known for being part of the King’s counsel. They were considered an important part of the King’s staff. Such men were known for their wisdom and sought out for giving sound advice. Anyone who carried this phrase as an official title was considered to be trustworthy, safe, and wise.
This fact must have enticed Absalom’s willingness to listen to Hushai. He must have considered that Hushai was just trying to secure his former kingdom position now that King David was supposedly out of the picture. So, Absalom hired Hushai to be “a friend to the king” “for his courts.
FOLLOWING THE TRUE KING
Wouldn’t “a friend to the King” be an honorable title for followers of Yeshua Messiah today? Can you imagine any greater honor than being called “a friend of the King of Kings?
All of these men who stayed loyal and offered wise counsel to King David during this time of uncertainty are types and shadows of the disciples of Jesus. We see this playing out with Zadock and Abaithar and their two sons. Also, we can include the Levites serving with them. Again, we see this shadow and type in the other very loyal character we met previously who is named Ittai. Now we see these characteristics of loyalty and servanthood come forth through Hushai. David, similar to Jesus, had chosen good men who would follow him to the end.
THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT
When we are looking at “types” and “shadows” of things to come, I can also see how Hushai worked for David in a very similar way to how The Holy Spirit of God works for believers. He could see what David could not see. Hushai could know what David would not know. In addition to those helpful facts, Hushai gives King David wise and correct counsel based on the first-hand information he knows to be true. This trusted advice was channeled through him and received by the one who needed wise counsel. The connection Hushai provided saved David’s kingship.
This is exactly how God’s Holy Spirit works for us. Through The Holy Spirit of God we can receive the advice that no man can correctly give to us. In many situations and circumstances, this discernment from above is what saves us. In our present situation with Jesus physically and personally unavailable to us, this connection provides critical communications. It makes the impossible possible.
SO MANY TYPES AND SHADOWS
Previously David asked Zadock, Abaithar, and their two sons to return to Jerusalem so they could send him any important and needed information. Of course this reminded me of Jesus meeting Moses and Elijah on the mountiain of Transfiguration, because Zadok and Abaithar were carrying the Ark of the Covenant. It contained the Law which would point to transformation for the people.
Now I’m also wondering if Zadok’s and Abaithar’s two sons are not types and shadows of The Two Witnesses during end-times. I will have to study that further. The question is a good homework assignment for this lesson. This subject may be something to save for a rainy day.
However, King David’s instructions for Hushai are much more detailed and involved. The King asks this trusted counselor to go back to Jerusalem and greet Absalom professing loyalty to him. This is very risky thing for Hushai. Hushai was willing to risk his life and safety for the King he loved.
LONG LIVE THE KING
David asks Hushai to infiltrate Absalom’s inner circle. He was to pretend to be defecting from David in order to follow Absalom. Hushai obeyed his King’s request. There were no questions. He acted on what he was commanded to do. His acting abilities were in fine form too. Hushai immediately went back to Jerusalem, sought out Absalom, and loudly declared, “Long live the King! Long live the King!
Of course, Absalom was a bit shocked to hear this greeting from Hushai. He asked, “Is this the loyalty you show your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” Hushai’s brilliant answer kept his cover safe. He he had followed Absalom’s father in the past and now he would honor that allegiance by following Absalom. Of course this played right into the vanity of Absalom’s personality. He believed that Hushai was sincere.
COUNTERING AHITHOPHEL
Later in this story we will discover how Ahithophel gave Absalom some advice for defeating King David. I will be brief with the details for now. Ahithophel advised Absalom to pursue David immediately. He thought Absalom should make a swift attack and strike David as he traveled out of the city. This plan almost succeeded.
Just in time, Hushai intervened. He gave his first official advice to the new king by suggesting Absalom make a more elaborate military campaign. Hushai noted to Absalom that Ahithophel’s advice was not sound. As a counter he suggested Absalom gather all of Israel’s military, from Dan to Beersheba. They would then be an army of great multitude. Hushai’s descriptive words said they would be “like the sand on the seashore.” He noted this great army should all be gathered to Absalom and under his great command. Then he declared how Absalom should be the one to lead them into battle.
Hushai’s plan appealed to Absalom’s pride. Absalom liked the power of being in charge of so many. By convincing Absalom to go with this plan of attack, Hushai delayed the threat against David. The true King had time to regroup. Having the time to organize himself against Absalom’s army was timely and helpful. This desirable outcome contributed greatly to the defeat of Absalom’s army.
DAVID HAS MORE TIME TO ESCAPE
Because of Hushai’s convincing words to Absalom, Absalom’s army was slowed down. It took more time to gather them into one place. David’s group was able to move further away from danger. Hushai’s behind-the-scenes support was integral for preserving David’s life.
Hushai’s story serves to illustrate the importance of divine providence working with human counsel. How many times have we heard of God’s good use of one man and how it made all the difference in a situation which saved many? What good men cannot accomplish on their own can be accomplished with God’s help. God was protecting David through Hushai’s loyal service.
LOYALTY TO THE KING
The great loyalty of Hushai to David awakens us to consider our own loyalty to our Great King Yeshua Messiah. For a long time it is necessary that He is physically away from us. This is because He is in Heaven at the right hand of the Father. He is faithfully delivering our prayers and petitions. We know He is waiting, like David, for the proper time to return to Jerusalem and His rightful Kingdom on this earth.
When Yeshua Messiah does return again, will we be found as loyal and faithful as Hushai? Hushai was willing to do anything the King requested in order to defend the Kingdom. This man named Hushai risked his life to help King David. Are we willing to lay down our lives in order to stay loyal to the One who gave His life for us? The time for this same mission may come to all of us. Are we ready? Will we stand strong and able?
The wisdom of Hushai, in recognizing and faithfully following God’s anointed, cannot be overlooked. Because of Hushai’s quick thinking, and the timeliness of his carefully chosen words, a disaster for the King was averted. If King David had been killed in this coup, we might not have had Yeshua Messiah. Of course, God and Hushai were not going to let that happen. Hushai’s recognition of God’s divine authority and sovereignty held out over all human ambitions. Despite Absalom’s great efforts at deception, God’s plan for David prevailed.
Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Hushai’s loyalty and wisdom were very important to King David. He carefully followed the plans and instructions of his King. His political savvy underscores God’s hand in the unfolding events surrounding David.
VERSE
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24
PRAYER
Father, Please send us loyal friends like Hushai. Loyal friends are such a blessing. Thank you for sending them our way. Also, and most importantly, help us to be good and loyal friends. Teach us to chose our words wisely. Help us to have discernment and to know those who are good and those who are evil. Direct our steps with wisdom. We live in an age where this is hard to determine. There are many Absalom’s trying to deceive us. Teach us to be like Hushai who only followed God’s anointed. Amen
SONG
Rescue by Lauren Daigle: https://youtu.be/-SZ-cq4k-4Y?si=uLwFbprhA_Tg19MJ
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