2 Samuel 17:5-10 – Speaking truthfully but wisely

We have established that Hushai the Archite was God’s answer to David’s prayer. On hearing that Ahithophel had joined Absalom, David prayed a quick and urgent prayer asking God to thwart any ill advice that this evil counselor would give to his son. It was amazing how God, in answer to his prayer, sent Hushai so immediately to him. The simple prayer of David tells us that prayers need not be well-structured and grammatically correct before God would hear and answer. All things being equal, the best prayers to God are those offered in faith and trust in Him, uttered in simplicity and sincerity of the heart.

In these verses, we see the hand of God moved in answer to David’s prayer. No hint was given as to why Absalom would seek Hushai’s advice. But he did and we know God had to do with why Hushai was summoned. So Absalom sought his opinion on Ahithophel’s counsel. This then gave Hushai the opportunity to counter and thwart what Absalom had heard from Ahithophel and to stall time for David. Notice how he wisely presented his advice. He prefaced what he said with the nuance that Ahithophel was right most times but not this time. Without maligning Ahithophel, Hushai cleverly insinuated that the former was misguided this time.

While Ahithophel looked at David’s present condition, Hushai cleverly highlighted David’s past. Firstly, he brought up the fact that he and his men were seasoned, experienced, and fierce mighty men of war. Skilfully, He sought to kindle Absalom’s memory of  David’s past successes with his enemy. Secondly, he conjured the picture that like a bear whose cub was taken from it, David and his men would be even more aggressive now than at other times. Thirdly, he also painted the picture that being a seasoned man of war, David was elusive and hard to apprehend. It would be hard to guess where he would be at any given time. He could be hiding in one cave or another, leading Ahithophel and the 12,000 pursuing men on a wild goose chase. If they were caught on the wrong footing and were defeated, the news of their slaughter would cause even the bravest men to lose heart. Then he reiterated that David his father was a mighty man and with him were valiant men. Hushai’s counsel resonated better with Absalom than Ahithophel’s.

Hushai was persuasive. What he said were not untruths. He merely presented the past scenario of David’s life as well as situations that created uncertainty in the sound advice given by Ahithophel. People are usually more susceptible to be swayed by sound and logical presentation. As people of God, we must learn to set forth the truth in such a way that will arouse godly fear and desire to act rightly for God. Be sure to speak truthfully but wisely.