2 Samuel 17:7
ESV
Then Hushai said to Absalom, "This time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good."
NIV
Hushai replied to Absalom, "The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time.
NASB
So Hushai said to Absalom, 'This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good.'
CSB
Hushai replied to Absalom, "The advice Ahithophel has given this time is not good."
NLT
Well,' Hushai replied to Absalom, 'this time Ahithophel has made a mistake.
KJV
And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.
NKJV
So Hushai said to Absalom: “The advice that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time.
What does 2 Samuel 17:7 mean?
Asking Ahithophel for advice was once "as if one consulted the word of God" (2 Samuel 16:23). Now, he's merely wise in the ways of the world. He saw how adeptly Absalom won the hearts of the people of Israel just by talking to them. When Absalom was ready to declare himself king, Ahithophel willingly joined his court (2 Samuel 15:1–12).When David heard Ahithophel had betrayed him, he went to the only one wise and powerful enough to help. He prayed, "O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness" (2 Samuel 11:31). Almost immediately, God sent him Hushai, an old friend. David challenged Hushai to return to Jerusalem and make his way into Absalom's court. There, he could counter Ahithophel's strategies and warn David of Absalom's plans (2 Samuel 15:32–37).
Hushai did just that (2 Samuel 16:15–19). Ahithophel's first advice was that Absalom should sleep with David's concubines to show dominance and prove an irrevocable break with his father (2 Samuel 16:20–22). It's unclear if Absalom consulted Hushai or if Hushai understood that this was a symbolic moment and bore no real threat to David. Absalom followed Ahithophel's instruction. None understood this was God's judgment on David for taking Bathsheba from Uriah (2 Samuel 12:11–12).
Now, Ahithophel has produced a plan that could destroy David. Ahithophel wants to take a force of available men, march to the exiles' camp, kill David, and bring his servants back to Jerusalem. Though Absalom and the elders think this is a good plan, Absalom asks Hushai to make sure (2 Samuel 17:1–6).
Hushai proceeds to do what David had planned: counter Ahithophel's excellent and effective advice. He tells them that David and his men will not be overtaken so easily. They're too experienced and far too angry. At the first sign of blood, Ahithophel's men will melt in fear. Instead, they need to conscript a larger army and overwhelm David. Only then can they be sure of his destruction (2 Samuel 17:8–13). Such a blunder would pass up the chance to strike while David is disorganized and on the run.
Absalom will agree. Hushai will hurry to send word to David to cross the river to safety (2 Samuel 17:15–16).
