Hushai

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

"The Archite" ( 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 ( 2 Samuel 15:32-34;  2 Samuel 15:37;  2 Samuel 16:16;  1 Chronicles 27:33) "if thou passest on with me, thou shalt be a burden unto me" (compare  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 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 Ahithophel .)

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 ( 2 Samuel 15:7-8).

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.

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 ( 1 Kings 4:5;  1 Kings 4:16).

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

HUSHAI . An Archite (  2 Samuel 15:32;   2 Samuel 17:5;   2 Samuel 17:14 ), i.e. a native of ‘the border of the Archites’ (  Joshua 16:2 ) to the W. of Bethel. He is further described as ‘the friend of David’ (  Joshua 15:37 ), while at   2 Samuel 16:16 the two titles are united. At the rebellion of Absalom he was induced by David to act as if he favoured the cause of the king’s son. By so doing he was enabled both to defeat the plans of Ahithophel and to keep David informed (by means of Ahimaaz and Jonathan, the sons of Zadok and Abiathar the priests) of the progress of events in Jerusalem (  2 Samuel 16:16 to   2 Samuel 17:23 ). He is probably to be identified with the father of Baana, one of Solomon’s twelve commissariat officers (  1 Kings 4:16 ).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The Archite, David's friend. Being informed of Absalom's rebellion and that David was obliged to fly from Jerusalem, he met him on an eminence without the city, with his clothes rent and his head covered with earth. David suggested that if he went with him he would be a burden to him; but that he might do him important service if he should remain in Absalom's suite as an adviser. Hushai therefore returned to Jerusalem, and by defeating the counsel of Ahithophel. And gaining time for David, to whom he sent advices, was the cause of Ahithophel's suicide and of Absalom's miscarriage,  2 Samuel 15:32-37;  16:16-19;  17:1-29 .

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Hu'sha-i or Husha'i . (Hasting). An Archite, that is, possibly an inhabitant of a place called Erec.  2 Samuel 15:32; ff.;  2 Samuel 16:16; ff. He is called the "friend" of David.  2 Samuel 15:37. Compare  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.  1 Kings 4:16.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Joshua 16:2 2 Samuel 15:37 2 Samuel 15:32 2 Samuel 15:34 2 Samuel 16:16-19 2 Samuel 17:1

Solomon's commissioner in charge of collecting royal provisions in Asher was the son of Hushai, perhaps the same as “David's friend” ( 1 Kings 4:16 ).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Friend and counsellor of David, who, by returning to Jerusalem at the revolt of Absalom, was able to frustrate the advice given by Ahithophel, and thus give David time to escape, and arrange his army for the war. He is called an Archite.  2 Samuel 15:32,37;  2 Samuel 16:16-18; 2Sam.17:5-15;  1 Kings 4:16;  1 Chronicles 27:33 .

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Hushai ( Hû'Skâi or Hû'Sha-Î ), Rapid. An Archite, and a particular and faithful friend of David.  2 Samuel 16:16. He gained such influence over Absalom as to prevail with his advice over Ahithophel,  2 Samuel 17:14. During this time he remained David's friend.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 1 Chronicles 27:33 2 Samuel 15:32,37 16:16-18

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

The Archite, David's friend, ( 2 Samuel 16:16) The name signifies one hastening, from Chush.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hū´shı̄ , hū´shā̇ - ı̄ ( חוּשׁי , ḥūshay , Χουσεί , Chouseı́  ; Josephus, Chousı́ ): An Archite, native of Archi or Erech(?), West of Bethel on the northern border of Benjamin and southern border of Joseph (  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 ( 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 (  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.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Chushay ‘ , חוּשִׁי , Quick; Sept. and Josephus [Ant.7, 9, 2] Χουσί ), called "the Archite" (q.v.) (comp.  Joshua 16:2) and "the king's companion," i.e. Vizier or intimate adviser ( 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 ( 2 Samuel 15:32;  2 Samuel 15:37;  2 Samuel 16:16-18;  2 Samuel 17:5-15). (See David). Baanah, Solomon's vicegerent in Asher, was doubtless the son of the same ( 1 Kings 4:16).