◄ 2 Samuel 17:7 ►
Verse  (Click for Chapter)
New International Version
Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time.

New Living Translation
“Well,” Hushai replied to Absalom, “this time Ahithophel has made a mistake.

English Standard Version
Then Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good.”

Berean Standard Bible
Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.”

King James Bible
And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.

New King James Version
So Hushai said to Absalom: “The advice that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time.

New American Standard Bible
So Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good.”

NASB 1995
So Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good.”

NASB 1977
So Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the counsel that Ahithophel has counseled is not good.”

Amplified Bible
So Hushai said to Absalom, “Ahithophel has not given good advice this time.”

Christian Standard Bible
Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”

American Standard Version
And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given this time is not good.

Contemporary English Version
Hushai said: This time Ahithophel's advice isn't so good.

English Revised Version
And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given this time is not good.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"This time Ahithophel's advice is no good," Hushai said to Absalom.

Good News Translation
Hushai answered, "The advice Ahithophel gave you this time is no good.

International Standard Version
"Ahithophel's advice is not best at this time," Hushai suggested to Absalom.

Majority Standard Bible
Hushai replied, ?This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.?

NET Bible
Hushai replied to Absalom, "Ahithophel's advice is not sound this time."

New Heart English Bible
So Hushai said to Absalom, "The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Hushai said to Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given, is not good at this time.

World English Bible
Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Hushai says to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has counseled [is] not good at this time.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Hushai saith unto Absalom, 'Not good is the counsel that Ahithophel hath counselled at this time.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Hushai will say to Absalom, The counsel which Ahithophel counseled is not good in this time.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Chusai said to Absalom: The counsel that Achitophel hath given this time is not good.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given at this time is not good.”

New American Bible
Hushai replied to Absalom, “This time Ahithophel has not given good counsel.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Hushai said to Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Khushi said to Abishlum: “The advice that Akhithuphil counseled is not good at this time”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Hushai said unto Absalom: 'The counsel that Ahithophel hath given this time is not good.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Chusi said to Abessalom, This counsel which Achitophel has counselled this one time is not good.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hushai Counters Ahithophel's Advice
…6So Hushai came to Absalom, who told him, “Ahithophel has spoken this proposal. Should we carry it out? If not, what do you say?” 7Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.” 8He continued, “You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops.…
Berean Standard Bible · Download


Cross References
2 Samuel 15:31
Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

2 Samuel 16:23
Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.

1 Kings 12:6-8
Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. / They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” / But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

Isaiah 8:10
Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”

Isaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”

Jeremiah 8:9
The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?

1 Corinthians 1:19-20
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

1 Corinthians 3:19-20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

James 3:13-17
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. / But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ...

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Luke 21:15
For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Acts 5:38-39
So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail. / But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Hushai said to Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time.

given [heb] counselled

Proverbs 31:8
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

Jump to Previous
Absalom Ab'salom Advice Ahithophel Ahith'ophel Ahithophel's Counsel Counselled Good Hushai Idea Time
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Absalom Ab'salom Advice Ahithophel Ahith'ophel Ahithophel's Counsel Counselled Good Hushai Idea Time
2 Samuel 17
1. Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's
15. Secret intelligence is sent unto David
23. Ahithophel hangs himself
25. Amasa is made captain
27. David at Mahanaim is furnished with provisions














Berean Study Bible
Hushai replied
The name "Hushai" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "hasty" or "eager." Hushai the Archite was a loyal friend and advisor to King David. His role in this narrative is crucial as he acts as a double agent, providing counsel to Absalom while secretly working to thwart Ahithophel's plans and protect David. This highlights the theme of loyalty and divine providence, as God uses Hushai's wisdom to counteract the counsel of Ahithophel, who was known for his astute advice.

The advice of Ahithophel
Ahithophel was a highly esteemed counselor, whose advice was regarded as if one had consulted the word of God (2 Samuel 16:23). His name means "brother of folly," which is ironic given his reputation for wisdom. However, his counsel in this instance is part of a larger narrative of betrayal and rebellion against God's anointed king, David. This phrase underscores the tension between human wisdom and divine will, reminding believers that even the most respected human counsel can be flawed when it opposes God's purposes.

is not sound
The Hebrew word for "sound" here is "tov," which generally means good, pleasing, or beneficial. Hushai's declaration that Ahithophel's advice is "not sound" is a strategic move to protect David. It reflects the biblical principle that true wisdom aligns with God's will and purposes. In this context, Hushai's discernment is a tool used by God to preserve His chosen king, illustrating the theme of divine intervention in human affairs.

at this time
The phrase "at this time" indicates the immediacy and urgency of the situation. It suggests that while Ahithophel's advice might be wise in another context, it is not appropriate for the current circumstances. This highlights the importance of discerning the right course of action in alignment with God's timing. In the broader biblical narrative, it serves as a reminder that God's timing is perfect, and His plans are ultimately for the good of His people.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(7) Not good at this time.--The words, at this time, should be transposed. What Hushai says is "This time the counsel of Ahithophel is not good," implying that his previous advice (2Samuel 16:21) had been wise, thus assuming an appearance of candour.

Pulpit Commentary
Verse 7. - And Hushai said. Hushai gives his advice with much Oriental exaggeration, such as ought to have put Absalom on his guard. His main points are that David was too practised a soldier to let himself be surprised. In his adventures with Saul he and his men had been trained to hold large bodies of pursuers at bay, and evade them. The men, too, who were with him were warriors of desperate valour, whose first thought would be the king's personal safety, and to ensure this they would conceal him in some pit, some cave or ravine, safe and inaccessible by nature; or in some place (omit the inserted word "other"), that is, in some camping place, made strong with ramparts, so as to resist the first attack. "To smite the king only" is, therefore, an impossibility; and if the attack fail, and David's mighties, in their irritation, slaughter a large number of their assailants, and a panic be the result, men will hesitate before they attack such redoubtable champions a second time. A check is fatal to a rebellion, and Absalom, was staking his chance on one hasty encounter. Better leave the decision to all Israel. Their hearts were with Absalom, and, when there has been time for them to gather in their thousands, success is certain. Their numbers will be countless as the sands on the shore, or as the dew upon the grass; while David and his heroes will shrink to so small a body as to be scarcely able to man the walls of one small city. And fighting there will be none; for the myriads of Israel will drag city and fugitives with ropes down into the nearest torrent bed, where the next floods will wash all away. There was more in this than an appeal to Absalom's vanity. If all Israel did take his side, then David's cause would soon be hopeless, and there would be no need of parricide. David's death would be the act of Israel, and not of Absalom. Evidently Absalom believed that all Israel was on his side, and his success hitherto had been so rapid as almost to justify the assumption. To us this success is almost unaccountable, but it suggests that there were great faults in David's administration. Yet even so we wonder at the existence of such general dissatisfaction. At this time. A wrong translation. The Hebrew is, Ahithophel's counsel this time is not good, whereas last time, what he advised about the concubines was good.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Hushai
חוּשַׁ֖י (ḥū·šay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2365: Hushai -- two Israelites

replied,
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“This
הַזֹּֽאת׃ (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

time
בַּפַּ֥עַם (bap·pa·‘am)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6471: A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence

the advice
הָעֵצָ֛ה (hā·‘ê·ṣāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

of Ahithophel
אֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל (’ă·ḥî·ṯō·p̄el)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 302: Ahithophel -- an adviser of David

is not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

sound.”
טוֹבָ֧ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good


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OT History: 2 Samuel 17:7 Hushai said to Absalom The counsel that (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 17:6
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