About
Hushai was David’s confidant (1 Chronicles 27:33). He was instrumental in sabotaging Absalom’s insurrection.
Backstory
Hushai’s loyalty shone when David was at his lowest point. Not only had his son Absalom launched an insurrection but Ahithophel, his counselor, defected. David prayed that God would intervene and thwart his counsel (2 Samuel 15:31).
When David reached the summit of the Mount of Olives, where people used to worship God, Hushai was already there. His robe was torn and he had dust on his head, as a sign of mourning. David urged him to return to Jerusalem and offer to serve Absalom to frustrate Ahithophel’s advice (2 Samuel 15:32-37).
Ahithophel recommended Absalom attack David right away, but Hushai recommended he wait until he gathered more troops. Absalom decided to go with Hushai’s advice. This bought David time to plan a counterattack (2 Samuel 17:1-14).
Hushai sent a message to David through Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, urging him to keep moving past the fords in the wilderness. They sent a message to two young men waiting outside of the city, through a female servant (2 Samuel 17:15-22).
Hushai’s son Baana became a district governor under Solomon (1 Kings 4:16).