1 Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 2 I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king, 3 and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace.” 4 And the advice seemed right in the eyes of Absalom and all the elders of Israel.
5 Then Absalom said, “Call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say.” 6 And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom said to him, “Thus has Ahithophel spoken; shall we do as he says? If not, you speak.” 7 Then Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good.” 8 Hushai said, “You know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Besides, your father is expert in war; he will not spend the night with the people.
Comment: Ahithophel offers his advice before he is asked for it by Absalom. In essence, it was while they are still exhausted from their journey he advised Absalom to sneak up and kill only David and bring back many more followers for himself. They will be thankful for not being slain! Absalom then turns to David’s Mossad agent and asks what Hushai thinks. His advice is that David will be like a bear with a very sore head. He’ll expect Absalom to try something, hide himself apart from the mass and be ready as the valiant warrior he is to overcome Absalom’s ambushing mob. Next time we return to 2 Samuel in about a week we’ll see what Absalom chooses!
Prayer: Walking in a sinful path may profit for a time but help me to understand the end of that way!
As I read it! 