Difference between revisions of "Hushai"

<p> "The Archite" (&nbsp;Joshua 16:2; Archi, or Erech, belonging to the children of Joseph, on the S. bound of Ephraim, between [[Bethel]] and Ataroth). "Friend," "companion" or privy councillor of David. Probably aged, as David says (&nbsp;2 Samuel 15:32-34; &nbsp;2 Samuel 15:37; &nbsp;2 Samuel 16:16; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:33) "if thou passest on with me, thou shalt be a burden unto me" (compare &nbsp;1 Chronicles 19:35). By David's suggestion he returned to the city, and feigned to be now Absalom's friend, as he had been that of his father. (See &nbsp;DAVID; ABSALOM.) The policy was crooked and dishonourable; but it was overruled to Absalom's ruin by adopting Hushai's sinister counsel, rather than Ahithophel's satanically wise advice. (See &nbsp;AHITHOPHEL.) </p> <p> He veiled his treachery with religious hypocrisy, saluting [[Absalom]] twice with" God save the king," and justifying his seeming desertion of "his friend" David, which surprised even Absalom, with the pretence so flattering to Absalom's vanity, "nay, but whom [[Jehovah]] and this people and all [[Israel]] choose, his will I be "; i.e., Jehovah's choice and the whole people's is so clear, that I had no alternative left but to accept it as a matter of duty (!); and inspiring confidence by reminding him how faithfully he had served his father, and that "as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence." How little usurpers can trust the sincerity of their courtiers! God punished Absalom's own treachery to his father, and religious hypocrisy, in kind (&nbsp;2 Samuel 15:7-8). </p> <p> God does not sanction evil, and condemns those who "do evil that good may come,'" but allows evil to be punished by evil. [[Hushai]] spoke in hyperboles, as suited to the shallow man he was addressing, of the irresistible might with which the whole nation would light upon David "as the dew falleth on the ground." so that "of the men with him there should not be left so much as one." Fear of his father's valor, indecision, and vanity were all acted on by Hushai's plausible counsel that, instead of pursuing David at once, Absalom should wait to collect all Israel, and lead them to battle in person. </p> <p> The counsel seemed safe, and at the same time gratified Absalom's boasting spirit. Hushai artfully assumed that all Israel "from Dan to Beersheba" would follow him; whereas it was much more likely that after the first surprise of the rebellion gave place to greater deliberation, a large force would gather round the rightful king. Hushai communicated Absalom's decision to [[Zadok]] and Abiathar, and these through [[Jonathan]] and [[Ahimaaz]] to David. Hushai probably died before Solomon's reign, for [[Zabud]] son of [[Nathan]] was "the king's friend" under Solomon. But [[Baanah]] son of Hushai was a commissariat officer of [[Solomon]] in [[Asher]] and [[Aloth]] (&nbsp;1 Kings 4:5; &nbsp;1 Kings 4:16). </p>

<p> &nbsp;Hu'sha-i or &nbsp;Husha'i. &nbsp;(hasting). An Archite, that is, possibly an inhabitant of a place called Erec. &nbsp;2 Samuel 15:32; ff.; &nbsp;2 Samuel 16:16; ff. He is called the "friend" of David. &nbsp;2 Samuel 15:37. Compare &nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:33. To him, David confided the delicate and dangerous part, of a pretended adherence, to the cause of Absalom. (B.C. about 1023). He was probably the father of Baana. &nbsp;1 Kings 4:16. </p>

<p> &nbsp;Hushai (&nbsp;hû'skâi or &nbsp;hû'sha-î), &nbsp;rapid. An Archite, and a particular and faithful friend of David. &nbsp;2 Samuel 16:16. He gained such influence over Absalom as to prevail with his advice over Ahithophel, &nbsp;2 Samuel 17:14. During this time he remained David's friend. </p>

<p> The Archite, David's friend, (&nbsp;&nbsp;2 Samuel 16:16) The name signifies one hastening, from Chush. </p>

<p> ''''' hū´shı̄ ''''' , ''''' hū´shā̇ ''''' - ''''' ı̄ ''''' (&nbsp; חוּשׁי , <i> ''''' ḥūshay ''''' </i> , &nbsp; Χουσεί , <i> ''''' Chouseı́ ''''' </i> ; Josephus, <i> ''''' Chousı́ ''''' </i> ): An Archite, native of [[Archi]] or Erech(?), West of Bethel on the northern border of [[Benjamin]] and southern border of [[Joseph]] (&nbsp; Joshua 16:2 ). Hushai was one of David's most faithful and wise counselors. When David was fleeing from Jerusalem and Absalom, Hushai met him, having his coat rent and earth on his head. The king persuaded him to return to Jerusalem, feign submission to Absalom, and try to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel (&nbsp;2 Samuel 15:32 f). Whatever Absalom decided on, Hushai was to send word to David through two young men, sons of the priests Zadok and Abiathar (&nbsp; 2 Samuel 15:34-36 ). Hushai obeyed, and succeeded in persuading Absalom to adopt his counsel rather than that of Ahithophel (2 Sam 16:16-17:14). He sent word to David of the nature of Ahithophel's counsel, and the king made good his escape that night across the Jordan. The result was the suicide of Ahithophel and the ultimate defeat and death of Absalom. </p>

<p> (Heb. Chushay &nbsp;‘, &nbsp;חוּשִׁי &nbsp;, quick; Sept. and [[Josephus]] &nbsp;[Ant.7, 9, 2] &nbsp;Χουσί), called "the Archite" (q.v.) (comp. &nbsp;Joshua 16:2) and "the king's companion," i.e. &nbsp;vizier or intimate adviser (&nbsp;1 Chronicles 27:33), a post which he doubtless attained by his eminent services to David in defeating (B.C. cir. 1023) the plots of Ahithophel, in league with the rebellious Absalom (&nbsp;2 Samuel 15:32; &nbsp;2 Samuel 15:37; &nbsp;2 Samuel 16:16-18; &nbsp;2 Samuel 17:5-15). (See [[David]]). Baanah, Solomon's vicegerent in Asher, was doubtless the son of the same (&nbsp;1 Kings 4:16). </p>