2 Samuel 17:15
ESV
Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, "Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so have I counseled.
NIV
Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, "Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so.
NASB
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, 'This is what Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do, and this is what I have advised.
CSB
Hushai then told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, "This is what Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I advised.
NLT
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.
KJV
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
NKJV
Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so I have advised.
What does 2 Samuel 17:15 mean?
David's son Absalom spent four years turning the people of Israel against David. In the process, he converted David's counselor, Ahithophel, to his side. While David was fleeing the city, the priests Zadok and Abiathar arrived with the ark of the covenant, fully intending to follow David into exile. David told them that the ark was God's, not his, and it belongs in Jerusalem. But they could spy on Absalom and send David messages through their sons Jonathan and Ahimaaz.Shortly after, David's old friend Hushai met David; he also wanted to go into exile with his king. David told him his age would slow the caravan down, making them vulnerable to Absalom's men. But he could infiltrate Absalom's council and twist whatever wise strategy Ahithophel gave. Then, he could tell the priests, who would tell their sons, who would tell David (2 Samuel 15).
All three men followed David's orders. Hushai convinced Absalom that as he had once served the father, he now serves the son (2 Samuel 15:16–19). When Ahithophel told Absalom to show dominance over his father by sleeping with David's concubines, either Hushai wasn't asked, or he didn't object since it didn't harm David directly (2 Samuel 16:20–22).
Now, however, David is in danger. Ahithophel wanted to make the obvious move: dispatch available troops immediately and to hunt David and his people. Hushai countered, saying Absalom needed a much bigger army if he wanted to fight David and his seasoned warriors. Absalom agreed with Hushai (2 Samuel 17:1–14).
Even though it will take Absalom time to recruit fighters from the twelve tribes, Hushai knows that David is vulnerable. Hushai explains to the priests what happened in Absalom's court. He tells them to send their sons with a message: get to safety; Absalom is coming (2 Samuel 17:16).
