2 Samuel 16:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Hushai replied, "No, but whomever ADONAI and this people and all the men of Isra'el choose, his I will be; and with him I will stay.

Berean Standard Bible:

“Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by the people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain.

American Standard Version:

And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom Jehovah, and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Hushai^{H2365} said^{H559} unto Absalom^{H53}, Nay; but whom the LORD^{H3068}, and this people^{H5971}, and all the men^{H376} of Israel^{H3478}, choose^{H977}, his will I be, and with him will I abide^{H3427}.

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Commentary for 2 Samuel 16:18

2 Samuel 16:18 is a verse set within the broader narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. This event is one of the most dramatic and consequential in the books of Samuel, reflecting themes of loyalty, divine will, and the complex dynamics of power and family within the context of ancient Israelite monarchy.

In this verse, Hushai, a close advisor to David, is speaking to Absalom. Hushai has been sent by David to act as a spy and counter the advice of Absalom's other counselor, Ahithophel, who had defected to Absalom's side. Here, Hushai is declaring his allegiance to Absalom, but with a significant condition: he states that he will follow whomever the Lord and the people of Israel choose as their leader. This statement is a clever political maneuver, allowing Hushai to maintain his cover while actually remaining loyal to David, as he believes David to be the rightful king chosen by God.

The historical context of this verse is the tension and turmoil surrounding the succession to Israel's throne. Absalom's rebellion is fueled by his ambition and possibly by a sense of injustice over the handling of his sister Tamar's rape by their half-brother Amnon. The verse reflects the political intrigue of the time, where allegiances could shift rapidly, and the will of the people and the will of God were often cited to justify one's political stance.

Hushai's words underscore the importance of divine sanction in leadership within the biblical worldview. They also highlight the tension between human ambition and the belief in a divinely ordained order. The verse serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative, showcasing Hushai's loyalty to David and setting the stage for the eventual downfall of Absalom's rebellion, which will be influenced by the contrasting advice of Hushai and Ahithophel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2365
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חוּשַׁי
   Transliteration: Chûwshay
   Pronunciation: khoo-shah'-ee
   Description: from חוּשׁ; hasty; Chushai, an Israelite; Hushai.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H53
   There are 2955 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲבִישָׁלוֹם
   Transliteration: ʼĂbîyshâlôwm
   Pronunciation: ab-ee-shaw-lome'
   Description: or (shortened) אַבְשָׁלוֹם ; from אָב and שָׁלוֹם; father of peace (i.e. friendly); Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite; Abishalom, Absalom.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
6. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
8. Strong's Number: H977
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּחַר
   Transliteration: bâchar
   Pronunciation: baw-khar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.