Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 17:7
And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given [is] not good at this time.
7. The counsel, &c.] The counsel which Ahithophel hath counselled this time is not good: in contrast to his previous counsel (ch. 2Sa 16:21), which Hushai pretends to approve.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
At this time – Rather, The counsel which Ahithophel has given this time is not good. He contrasts it with that given before 2Sa 16:21, which was good. This gave an appearance of candour to his conduct, and so gave weight to his dissent. Observe the working of Davids prayer 2Sa 15:31.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
2Sa 17:7-23
And Hushai said unto Absalom.
Hushais advice preferred
The wisest man in the world is not wise at all times: though Achitophel commonly gives successful counsel, yet, with his good leave, he hath missed the mark at this time, and in this case.
I. Hushais grand design was first to invalidate the perilous counsel Achitophel had given, before he gave his own opinion he hereupon discovers the danger of Achitophels advice from three topics.
1. The first is taken from the valour of David, which he amplifies by a similitude of a bear robbed of her whelps.
2. The second argument m taken from the policy and prudence of David, as the first is from his courage and valour.
3. His third argument or topic is a periculoso from the dangerous consequences of this expedition of Achitophels. (2Sa 17:9-10.)
II. When Hushai had thus invalidated Achitophels counsel, then he produceth and introduceth his own to Absalom, and partly contrary and partly congruous and consentaneous to that of Achitophels. (2Sa 17:11-13.)
1. Hushais counsel was contrary to that of Achitophels in three respects.
(1) In respect of time; not in the night as he hath advised, seeing night-works are not only hazardous, but also no way glorious works, we scorn to steal a victory in the dark, let us fight David in clear-daylight that the sun may behold the valour and victory of our invincible army.
(2) The second respect is, Let not so small an handful as twelve thousand (according to his advice) be employed, but a mighty host made up of all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, &c.
(3) And the third respect is, Thou thyself shalt go general of this numerous army, for thy presence will put life into thy soldiers, to fight lustily in the fight of their King, who bath power to punish or reward them according to their merit or demerit; beside the glory of the victory (which now Achitophel seeks to have to himself) shall be wholly thine by thy going in person to the battle.
2. Mark, it was congruous as to the effect, the same in the end with that Achitophel now had advised, to wit, the destruction of David, and of his despicable company, saying, David shall not be able to defend himself neither.
(1) In the open field, for we will fall upon him there, as the dew falleth upon the field, so largely, so suddenly, and so irresistibly upon all sides, as the drops of dew are innumerable: Nor
(2) Shall he be safe in, a fortified city, for we will bring ropes to it and draw it (and David in it) into the river, &c., so drown him, and all his, &c. Hushais whole oration was wholly accommodated to the ambitious humour of a vain-glorious prince, all along stuffed with the bombast of hyperbolical flourishes, both to fill up its own emptiness, and to puff up Absaloms proud mind with heading and leading a mighty army, &c. Hushai in his thrasonical expressions puts himself into the number of the actors of this tragedy, saying [So shall we come upon him, &c.] as if he had said [I will be one of the first of them,] that he might not seem to come short of Achitophel, who had offered Absalom his service both as a counsellor, and as a commander, and [We will not leave so much as one, &c.] This is opposed to Achitophels promise (v. 2.) that in no point he might seem to fall behind him, so is he the sooner believed. Whatever Hushai with all his florid flatteries pretended, yet his main design intended was, that David might gain more time to increase his army, and to prepare for the battle, and that the present paroxism or heat of the people being cooled by such delays (as Absaloms raising so vast an army did necessarily require) many of Davids subjects might at last bethink themselves of returning to their right allegiance, and thereby upon better consideration join to strengthen the Fathers forces against his unnatural rebellious son. In all these harangues both of Acbitophel and of Hushai, there is not one word of counselling Absalom to ask counsel of God, God was not in all their thoughts. (Psa 10:4.) Indeed Hushai purposely put Absalom upon trusting in an arm of flesh (a numberless number of soldiers) which he knew would bring a curse upon him (Jer 17:5), and therefore he pusheth him forward to be present in the fight to fetch in his own fall, &c. This counsel of Hushai was better approved of by Absalom and his courtieers than that of Achitophel, because the Lord purposed it should be foiled and defeated (verse 13, 14.)
III. How great is the power of faithful prayer; David had prayed, Lord, turn Achitophels counsel into folly. Achitophels counsel is rejected as foolish counsel, Davids prayer of faith and fervency was answered over and over again; for
1. Achitophels counsel was folly itself (2Sa 16:21.)
2. Tis here refused as such; and
3. he died as a fool (verse 28.)
IV. Achitophels counsel was infringed here by a double means,
1. by human help, namely, by Hushais prudence and policy, humouring an ambitious bigot to his own destruction, well knowing that his insolent temper would best be flushed up with flourishing flatteries, and
2. by a Divine hand, God giving Absalom up to believe lies, and so hasten his own end. (C. Ness.)
The best counsellors
Alphonsus, King of Anagon, being asked who were the best counsellors, answered, The dead (meaning books), which cannot flatter, but do without partiality, declare the truth. Now of all such dead counsellors, Gods testimonies have the preeminence. A poor, godly man, even then when he is deserted of all, and hath nobody to plead for him, he hath his senate, and his Council of State about him, the prophets and apostles, and other holy men of God, that spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. A man so furnished is never less alone than when alone; for he hath counsellors about him that tell him what is to be believed or done; and they are such counsellors as cannot err, as will not flatter him, nor applaud him in any sin, nor discourage or dissuade him from that which is good, whatever hazard it expose him to. And, truly, if we be wise we should choose such counsellors as these: Thy testimonies are the men of my counsel. (T. Manton.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Though at other times he generally gives most wise and admirable counsel; yet, as he is a man, he seems now to be under a mistake, and not sufficiently to consider all the present circumstances of this business.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Hushai said to Absalom,…. Having leave to give his opinion freely:
the counsel that Ahithophel hath given [is] not good at this time; he owns that Ahithophel was a good counsellor, and that the counsel he gave was for the most part, if not always, good, but what he gave at this time was not so; the wisest of men may sometimes be mistaken. Abarbinel thinks he respects his former counsel, particularly that that was good, advising him to defile his father’s bed, 2Sa 16:21; but this was not, for which he gives the following reasons.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(7) Not good at this time.The words, at this time, should be transposed. What Hushai says is This time the counsel of Ahithophel is not good, implying that his previous advice (2Sa. 16:21) had been wise, thus assuming an appearance of candour.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Sa 17:7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given [is] not good at this time.
Ver. 7. Is not good at this time. ] This was a bold speech, and such as if he had not made good by alleging to Absalom verisimilia, et ingenio illius superbo accommodata, arguments probable, and suitable to his ambitious disposition, there had been but one law for Hushai; not unlike that of the Locrians, who ordained that whoso would propose a new law, should come with a halter about his neck, that if it were not liked, he should be hanged. Here, then, he beginneth with his Errorem erravit non levem vir alioqui consultissimus Ahithophel. This most grave and wise counsellor is out in this particular; as well he may be, since
“ O . ”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
counsel . . . given. Hebrew counsel . . . counselled. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6) = the good counsel (but “not good “now).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
given: Heb. counselled
not good: Pro 31:8
Reciprocal: 1Ki 12:10 – Thus shalt thou 2Ch 10:10 – Thus shalt Pro 27:14 – He that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 17:7-8. The counsel of Ahithophel is not good at this time Though he generally gives most wise and admirable counsel, yet he seems now to be under a mistake, and not sufficiently to consider all the present circumstances of this business. Thou knowest thy father and his men Hushai, setting himself to oppose all the articles of Ahithophels advice, some openly, and others covertly, begins with giving a lively and dreadful description of the enemies Absalom had to deal with. That they be all mighty men Of approved courage and strength, and not so easily vanquished as Ahithophel supposes. At all times they are terrible to the bravest foes, but much more so at this time; when they are chafed in their minds Hebrew, bitter of soul, inflamed with rage; desperate, and therefore resolved to sell their lives at a dear rate. Being driven from their families, they are as so many enraged bears robbed of their whelps in the field In the first furious efforts of their rage they will not fail to strike a terror into their assailants, and the panic will be easily diffused through the rest of the pursuing army, and will intimidate the bravest of them. Thy father is a man of war A wise as well as brave prince and general, who, knowing of what importance it is to secure his person, and that your chief design is against his life, will, doubtless, use extraordinary care to keep out of your reach, which he may easily do.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
17:7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given [is] not {c} good at this time.
(c) Hushai shows himself faithful to David, in that he reproves this wicked counsel and purpose.