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2 Samuel 17: Good Advice Defeated

Ahithophel advises Absalom to chase David at once, but Hushai gives different advice. Absalom chooses Hushai's plan, because the Lord had ordained to defeat Ahithophel's counsel. Two young messengers hide in a well to warn David, and David crosses the Jordan. At Mahanaim friends bring food for David's hungry, weary people.

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Read 2 Samuel 17

World English Bible · 29 verses

  1. 1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  2. 2 I will come on him while he is weary and exhausted, and will make him afraid. All the people who are with him will flee. I will strike the king only,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  3. 3 and I will bring back all the people to you. The man whom you seek is as if all returned. All the people shall be in peace.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  4. 4 The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  5. 5 Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let’s hear likewise what he says.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  6. 6 When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  7. 7 Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  8. 8 Hushai said moreover, “You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are fierce in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  9. 9 Behold, he is now hidden in some pit, or in some other place. It will happen, when some of them have fallen at the first, that whoever hears it will say, ‘There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom!’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  10. 10 Even he who is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, will utterly melt; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  11. 11 But I counsel that all Israel be gathered together to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that you go to battle in your own person.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  12. 12 So we will come on him in some place where he will be found, and we will light on him as the dew falls on the ground, then we will not leave so much as one of him and of all the men who are with him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  13. 13 Moreover, if he has gone into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there isn’t one small stone found there.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  14. 14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  15. 15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way; and I have counseled this way.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  16. 16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, ‘Don’t lodge tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.’”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  17. 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying by En Rogel; and a female servant used to go and report to them, and they went and told King David; for they couldn’t risk being seen coming into the city.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  18. 18 But a boy saw them, and told Absalom. Then they both went away quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down there.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  19. 19 The woman took and spread the covering over the well’s mouth, and spread out crushed grain on it; and nothing was known.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  20. 20 Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman said to them, “They have gone over the brook of water.” When they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  21. 21 After they had departed, they came up out of the well and went and told King David; and they said to David, “Arise and pass quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counseled against you.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  22. 22 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they passed over the Jordan. By the morning light there lacked not one of them who had not gone over the Jordan.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  23. 23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, arose, and went home to his city, set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the tomb of his father.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  24. 24 Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  25. 25 Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  26. 26 Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  27. 27 When David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  28. 28 brought beds, basins, earthen vessels, wheat, barley, meal, parched grain, beans, lentils, roasted grain,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  29. 29 honey, butter, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him to eat; for they said, “The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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2 Samuel 17 · Preschool

God Is in Charge

Name Date

Color the well and the tree! God kept David safe.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom.”

2 Samuel 17:14 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Bad plans were made against David, but God was in charge. God takes care of His people.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

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