Hushai
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Topical Encyclopedia
Hushai, often referred to as "Hushai the Archite," is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the narrative surrounding King David's reign. He is introduced in 2 Samuel and is known for his loyalty to David during the rebellion of Absalom, David's son.

Background and Role:

Hushai is described as an "Archite," which likely indicates his origin from a place or clan named Archi, possibly near Bethel. He is recognized as a close friend and advisor to King David. His loyalty and wisdom are highlighted during the turbulent period of Absalom's rebellion.

Loyalty to David:

When Absalom conspires to overthrow his father, King David, Hushai's loyalty becomes evident. As David flees Jerusalem to escape Absalom's advancing forces, Hushai meets him with torn clothes and dust on his head, a sign of mourning and solidarity (2 Samuel 15:32). David, recognizing Hushai's potential to aid him, sends him back to Jerusalem to act as a counter to Ahithophel, Absalom's chief advisor.

Role as a Spy and Advisor:

Hushai's primary mission is to thwart the counsel of Ahithophel, whose advice is highly esteemed and considered almost as if one had inquired of the word of God (2 Samuel 16:23). Hushai successfully gains Absalom's trust and is able to offer counsel that ultimately benefits David. In 2 Samuel 17:14, it is noted, "So 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 purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster upon Absalom."

Hushai advises Absalom to delay his attack on David, giving David time to regroup and prepare. This advice is contrary to Ahithophel's counsel, which would have led to a swift and potentially successful attack against David. Hushai's strategy allows David to escape and organize his forces, ultimately leading to Absalom's defeat.

Communication with David:

Hushai's role as a double agent is further facilitated by his communication with David through the priests Zadok and Abiathar and their sons, who act as messengers (2 Samuel 15:35-36). This network ensures that David remains informed of Absalom's plans and can act accordingly.

Legacy:

Hushai's actions are pivotal in the preservation of David's kingdom. His wisdom and loyalty are instrumental in countering the rebellion and ensuring David's continued reign. Hushai's account is a testament to the importance of wise counsel and the providential hand of God in the affairs of His chosen leaders.

Hushai's narrative is a reminder of the value of loyalty and the impact of strategic wisdom in times of crisis. His account is preserved in the biblical account as an example of faithfulness and divine intervention in the history of Israel.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Hushai

their haste; their sensuality; their silence

ATS Bible Dictionary
Hushai

The Archite, David's friend. Being informed of Absalom's rebellion and that David was obliged to fly from Jerusalem, he met him on an eminence without the city, with his clothes rent and his head covered with earth. David suggested that if he went with him he would be a burden to him; but that he might do him important service if he should remain in Absalom's suite as an adviser. Hushai therefore returned to Jerusalem, and by defeating the counsel of Ahithophel. And gaining time for David, to whom he sent advices, was the cause of Ahithophel's suicide and of Absalom's miscarriage, 2 Samuel 15:32-37; 16:16-19; 17:1-29.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Quick, "the Archite," "the king's friend" (1 Chronicles 27:33). When David fled from Jerusalem, on account of the rebellion of Absalom, and had reached the summit of Olivet, he there met Hushai, whom he sent back to Jerusalem for the purpose of counteracting the influence of Ahithophel, who had joined the ranks of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:32, 37; 16:16-18). It was by his advice that Absalom refrained from immediately pursuing after David. By this delay the cause of Absalom was ruined, for it gave David time to muster his forces.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HUSHAI

hut'-shi, hus'-sha-i (chushay, Chousei; Josephus, Chousi): An Archite, native of Archi or Erech(?), West of Bethel on the northern border of Benjamin and southern border of Joseph (Joshua 16:2). Hushai was one of David's most faithful and wise counselors. When David was fleeing from Jerusalem and Absalom, Hushai met him, having his coat rent and earth on his head. The king persuaded him to return to Jerusalem, feign submission to Absalom, and try to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:32 f). Whatever Absalom decided on, Hushai was to send word to David through two young men, sons of the priests Zadok and Abiathar (2 Samuel 15:34-36). Hushai obeyed, and succeeded in persuading Absalom to adopt his counsel rather than that of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 16:16-17:14). He sent word to David of the nature of Ahithophel's counsel, and the king made good his escape that night across the Jordan. The result was the suicide of Ahithophel and the ultimate defeat and death of Absalom.

J. J. Reeve

Strong's Hebrew
2365. Chushay -- two Israelites
... Chushay. 2366 . two Israelites. Transliteration: Chushay Phonetic Spelling:
(khoo-shah'-ee) Short Definition: Hushai. ... NASB Word Usage Hushai (14). Hushai. ...
/hebrew/2365.htm - 6k
Library

Concerning the Insurrection of Absalom against David and ...
... CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Insurrection Of Absalom Against David And Concerning
Ahithophel And Hushai; And Concerning Ziba And Shimei; And How Ahithophel Hanged ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the insurrection.htm

Absalom the Ungrateful Son
... And when David came to the summit, where one worships God, Hushai the Archite
with his garment torn and earth upon his head, came to meet him. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/absalom the ungrateful son.htm

The Answer, that Leave to Lie, which was not Even Granted under ...
... For what shall we say of that pious fraud of Hushai to Absalom for the salvation
of king David, which though uttered with all appearance of good-will by the ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xix the answer that.htm

We must Observe a Right Standard Between Too Great Mildness and ...
... 25. [546] 2 Sam. 2 Kings] xv. 1-6. [547] Hushai is probably meant by this, who advised
Absalom to delay his attack on the king. [548] 2 Sam. 2 Kings] xviii. 5. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxii we must observe.htm

Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
... Chusi, or Hushai, [198]20, [199]21. Cicero, [200]512, [201]513. Circumcelliones,
miscreants, [202]42, [203]218, [204]470, [205]622, [206]623. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/aron brother of moses 486.htm

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
... Ahithophel of his reason, this prayer would have been more visibly, but not more
effectually, answered, than by the counter-advice of Hushai, which, though ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxviii king of kings.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Insurrection Of Absalom Against David And Concerning
Ahithophel And Hushai; And Concerning Ziba And Shimei; And How Ahithophel Hanged ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

His Name --The Counsellor
... When Ahithophel left David, it proved that he was not faithful, and when Hushai
went to Absalom and counselled him, he counselled him craftily, so that the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/his namethe counsellor.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... counseled him, not because he considered it wrong to pursue his father, for he was
wholly hostile to him, but he followed the counsel of Hushai, because he ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Thesaurus
Ben-hushai (1 Occurrence)
Ben-hushai. Ben-hur, Ben-hushai. Beniah . Multi-Version Concordance Ben-hushai
(1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 4:16 Baanah Ben-Hushai 'is' in Asher, and in Aloth. ...
/b/ben-hushai.htm - 6k

Archite (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The usual designation of Hushai (2 Samuel 15:32;
17:5, 14; 1 Chronicles 27:33), who was a native of Archi. ...
/a/archite.htm - 8k

Arkite (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 15:32 It happened that when David had come to the top of the ascent, where
God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his ...
/a/arkite.htm - 9k

Ahith'ophel (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 17:6 And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spoke unto him, saying:
'Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner; shall we do after his saying? ...
/a/ahith'ophel.htm - 10k

Ahithophel (17 Occurrences)
... David sent his old friend Hushai back to Absalom, in order that he might
counteract the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31-37). ...
/a/ahithophel.htm - 16k

Ab'salom (85 Occurrences)
... Ahithophel.' (See RSV). 2 Samuel 15:37 So Hushai, David's friend, came into
the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem. (See RSV). 2 Samuel ...
/a/ab'salom.htm - 29k

Suggestion (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 17:6 And when Hushai came, Absalom said to him, This is what Ahithophel
has said: are we to do as he says? if not, what is your suggestion? (BBE). ...
/s/suggestion.htm - 14k

Advice (52 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Samuel 17:6 When Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him,
saying, "Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? ...
/a/advice.htm - 23k

Hushai's (1 Occurrence)
...Hushai's (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 17:14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel
said, Hushai's suggestion is better than that of Ahithophel. ...
/h/hushai's.htm - 6k

Absalom (93 Occurrences)
...Hushai also joined Absalom, but only for the purpose of trying to counteract
the counsels of Ahithophel, and so to advantage David's cause. ...
/a/absalom.htm - 50k

Resources
Who was Zadok in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Absalom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Hushai (13 Occurrences)

2 Samuel 15:32
It happened that when David had come to the top of the ascent, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn, and earth on his head.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 15:37
So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 16:16
It happened, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, had come to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 16:17
Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn't you go with your friend?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 16:18
Hushai said to Absalom, "No; but whoever Yahweh, and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I be, and with him I will stay.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 17:5
Then said Absalom, "Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he says."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 17:6
When Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, "Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 17:7
Hushai said to Absalom, "The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 17:8
Hushai said moreover, "You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are fierce in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

2 Samuel 17:14
Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel." For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 17:15
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way; and I have counseled this way.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 4:16
Baana the son of Hushai, in Asher and Bealoth;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 27:33
Ahithophel was the king's counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Hushai

Hushai or Hushai

Hushai: David's Friend

Related Terms

Archite (7 Occurrences)

Arkite (7 Occurrences)

Ahith'ophel (15 Occurrences)

Ahithophel (17 Occurrences)

Ab'salom (85 Occurrences)

Suggestion (25 Occurrences)

Advice (52 Occurrences)

Hushai's (1 Occurrence)

Absalom (93 Occurrences)

Baana (3 Occurrences)

Counselled (26 Occurrences)

Friend (139 Occurrences)

Hushai (13 Occurrences)

Counsel (192 Occurrences)

Expert (59 Occurrences)

David's (142 Occurrences)

Arrived (129 Occurrences)

Night's (13 Occurrences)

Loyalty (18 Occurrences)

Wont (19 Occurrences)

Willed (13 Occurrences)

Wentest (16 Occurrences)

Whelps (10 Occurrences)

Friendship (13 Occurrences)

Fighter (8 Occurrences)

Frustrate (7 Occurrences)

Feelings (26 Occurrences)

Thwart (5 Occurrences)

Robbed (27 Occurrences)

Exasperated (2 Occurrences)

Enraged (23 Occurrences)

Experienced (23 Occurrences)

Embittered (12 Occurrences)

Disaster (131 Occurrences)

Defeat (16 Occurrences)

Ben-hur (1 Occurrence)

Ba'ana (3 Occurrences)

Bealoth (2 Occurrences)

Beniah (2 Occurrences)

Baanah (10 Occurrences)

Bereaved (20 Occurrences)

Cubs (11 Occurrences)

Counsellor (16 Occurrences)

Chafe (1 Occurrence)

Calamity (108 Occurrences)

Counseled (12 Occurrences)

Counselor (19 Occurrences)

Chafed (1 Occurrence)

Advised (8 Occurrences)

Advises (1 Occurrence)

Archites (1 Occurrence)

Abi'athar (28 Occurrences)

Aloth (1 Occurrence)

Ahithophel's (5 Occurrences)

Summon (25 Occurrences)

Summit (7 Occurrences)

Plan (58 Occurrences)

Heroes (8 Occurrences)

Discussion (29 Occurrences)

Designs (118 Occurrences)

Boweth (53 Occurrences)

Ascent (32 Occurrences)

Slope (29 Occurrences)

Intent (37 Occurrences)

Companion (44 Occurrences)

Troops (92 Occurrences)

Olives (30 Occurrences)

Ordained (70 Occurrences)

Spend (54 Occurrences)

Fierce (92 Occurrences)

Void (64 Occurrences)

Rent (76 Occurrences)

Determined (89 Occurrences)

Worshiped (83 Occurrences)

Malchiel (3 Occurrences)

Lodge (64 Occurrences)

Torn (100 Occurrences)

Coat (54 Occurrences)

Hushah: Son of Ezer
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