Hushai

Hushai

Hushai or Chusai was a friend of David and a spy according to the Hebrew Bible. During Absalom's rebellion described in the Second Book of Samuel, he agrees to act as an advisor to Absalom to sabotage his plans while secretly sending information to David. It was on his advice that Absalom did not immediately pursue the retreating David, thus giving David time to regroup and gather his forces. Hushai's advice helped to ensure Absalom's rapid defeat.

Life

Hushai was an Archite, that is, a native of Archi, a place south of the portion of Ephraim, near Bethel (Joshua 16:2). He is called in 1 Chronicles 27:33 "the king's friend". This title is similar to that of counselor given to Ahitophel, or that of leader of the army to Joab. We see a like use of the term in 1 Kings 4:5. In the Books of the Maccabees it is an official title given by the Seleucids to persons of confidence who have important military or civil functions (1 Maccabees 2:18; 3:38; 6:10, 14, 28; 7:6-8; etc.). It is likely then, that Hushai's title of "friend" of King David does not imply the intimate relations suggested by the term.

Nevertheless, the account that is given of him during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15-17) shows that in his case the title was not merely official. Just after David has heard of the treason of his counselor Ahitophel, he is met, on his way up the Mount of Olives by Hushai, whose garments are rent and whose head is covered with dust. He is probably an old man, for David tells him he would be a burden in the flight. But the king does honour to Hushai's cleverness by sending him to Jerusalem to "defeat the counsel of Ahitophel". Hushai persuades Absalom to take him into his confidence, and, in the council held shortly afterwards in regard to the measures to be taken against David, he obtains a delay which secures the safety of the king. He is able likewise to convey information to David through Zadok, Abiathar, and their sons.

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainHerbermann, Charles, ed (1913). "Chusai". Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.  The original article was by Joseph P. Thomas.


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  • Hushai — Described as David s ‘friend’ (2 Sam. 15:37), i.e. a court official, Hushai was instrumental in enabling David to defeat the rebellion of his son Absalom. When David fled from Jerusalem into the wilderness, Hushai at personal risk remained in the …   Dictionary of the Bible

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  • 2 Samuel 17 — 1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people… …   The King James version of the Bible

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  • Ahithophel — /euh hith euh fel /, n. an adviser to David who later turned against him by joining the rebellion of Absalom. II Sam. 15 17. * * * ▪ biblical figure also spelled  Achitophel,         in the Old Testament, one of King David s most trusted advisers …   Universalium

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