2 Samuel 17:7

KJV

And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given [is] not good at this time.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Hushai {H2365} said {H559} unto Absalom {H53}, The counsel {H6098} that Ahithophel {H302} hath given {H3289} is not good {H2896} at this time {H6471}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Hushai said to Avshalom, "The advice Achitofel has given this time is not good.

Berean Standard Bible

Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.”

American Standard Version

And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given this time is not good.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 17:7 marks the pivotal moment in Absalom's rebellion where Hushai, King David's loyal double agent, strategically undermines the highly esteemed counsel of Ahithophel. By declaring Ahithophel's advice "not good at this time," Hushai successfully sowed doubt in Absalom's mind, paving the way for his own counter-proposal, which was divinely orchestrated to delay Absalom's pursuit of David, ultimately securing David's escape and ensuring the rebellion's failure in direct answer to David's fervent prayer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic turning point in a high-stakes strategic debate that determines the immediate future of Absalom's rebellion. Following Absalom's audacious seizure of Jerusalem and his public defilement of David's concubines—a symbolic act of claiming the throne and severing ties with his father (as detailed in [2 Samuel 16:20-23](/2_samuel/16-20-23 "2 Samuel 16:20-23 - Ahithophel's Counsel to Absalom"))—Ahithophel, renowned for his unerring wisdom, proposed a swift and decisive military strike against David. His plan, outlined in [2 Samuel 17:1-3](/2_samuel/17-1-3 "2 Samuel 17:1-3 - Ahithophel's Plan to Pursue David"), was militarily sound, designed to prevent David from regrouping and to secure Absalom's reign immediately. The narrative then shifts to Hushai's counter-counsel, initiated by this verse, which sets up a direct challenge to Ahithophel's authority and wisdom, ultimately leading to Absalom's fateful decision to reject Ahithophel's advice in favor of Hushai's deceptive, yet divinely purposed, alternative.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, recently captured by Absalom, with King David and his loyalists in hasty retreat across the Jordan River. In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, the counsel of trusted advisors was paramount, holding immense power and influence. Ahithophel's advice, in particular, was considered "as if one consulted the word of God" ([2 Samuel 16:23](/2_samuel/16-23 "2 Samuel 16:23 - Ahithophel's Renown")). The custom of seeking multiple counselors and then choosing the most appealing or seemingly wise option was common practice among kings. Furthermore, the concept of "face" and honor was crucial; Absalom's vanity and desire for a grand, personal victory, rather than a swift, decisive but less glorious one, played directly into Hushai's manipulative strategy. The geographical context of David's flight towards the Jordan and Mahanaim was also critical, as it provided terrain for regrouping and potential allies, which Hushai's plan implicitly acknowledged and exploited.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Intervention** and **Sovereignty**. Despite Ahithophel's reputation for infallible wisdom, God directly intervenes to frustrate his counsel in response to David's earnest prayer in [2 Samuel 15:31](/2_samuel/15-31 "2 Samuel 15:31 - David's Prayer against Ahithophel"). Hushai's seemingly plausible, yet ultimately deceptive, counter-counsel becomes God's instrumental means to delay Absalom, giving David crucial time to escape and regroup. This highlights how God's purposes prevail over even the most brilliant human plans, a truth affirmed throughout Scripture, such as in [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - The Lord's Purpose Prevails"). Another prominent theme is the contrast between **Worldly Wisdom and Divine Wisdom**. Ahithophel's advice, while strategically sound from a human military perspective, is ultimately rendered foolish by divine design. Hushai's counsel, appealing to Absalom's pride and desire for a grand display of power, serves God's purpose by leading Absalom to his downfall. This narrative also underscores the theme of **Loyalty and Treachery**, contrasting Hushai's unwavering faithfulness to David with Ahithophel's betrayal, which ultimately leads to his suicide (as seen in [2 Samuel 17:23](/2_samuel/17-23 "2 Samuel 17:23 - Ahithophel's Suicide")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Counsel (Hebrew, _‘êtsâh'_):** This term (H6098) refers to advice, a plan, or purpose, often carrying the connotation of strategic wisdom or a well-thought-out scheme. In this context, it highlights the gravity of the decision Absalom faces, as he must choose between two comprehensive military strategies. The word underscores the intellectual and strategic nature of the conflict, where the fate of a kingdom hinges on the "counsel" deemed most effective.
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** This adjective (H2896), used here in the negative "not good" (_lo tov_), signifies something that is beneficial, advantageous, pleasant, or effective. Hushai's declaration that Ahithophel's counsel is "not good" is a strong rhetorical move, designed to immediately discredit Ahithophel's plan by asserting it is actively disadvantageous, unprofitable, or even harmful for Absalom's cause, thereby opening the door for Hushai's own counter-proposal.
* **Time (Hebrew, _pa‘am'_):** This noun (H6471), used in the phrase "at this time" (_ba'et hazot_), refers to a specific instance or occasion. This temporal qualifier is key to Hushai's cunning strategy. By adding "at this time," Hushai subtly acknowledges Ahithophel's general reputation for wisdom, but argues that his specific advice is ill-suited to the current, unique circumstances. This makes his counter-argument more palatable to Absalom and his advisors, as it avoids a direct assault on Ahithophel's overall wisdom, focusing instead on the timing and specific context.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Hushai said unto Absalom":** This opening clause introduces the speaker, Hushai, who is acting as David's loyal, albeit deceptive, agent, and the recipient of his pivotal counter-counsel, Absalom. The direct address emphasizes the confrontational and critical nature of the scene, setting the stage for a direct challenge to the previously accepted wisdom of Ahithophel.
* **"The counsel that Ahithophel hath given":** Hushai immediately identifies the subject of his critique: Ahithophel's specific plan, which had just been presented and enthusiastically approved by Absalom and the elders ([2 Samuel 17:4](/2_samuel/17-4 "2 Samuel 17:4 - Ahithophel's Counsel Pleases Absalom")). This precise identification sets up a direct challenge to the previously accepted strategy, forcing Absalom to reconsider a decision he had already made.
* **"[is] not good at this time":** This is the core declaration, a bold and calculated refutation of Ahithophel's esteemed advice. Hushai's assertion that the counsel is "not good" is a direct contradiction of its prior acceptance. The crucial addition "at this time" is a masterful rhetorical stroke, implying that while Ahithophel's advice might generally be sound, it is strategically flawed and dangerous in the immediate context, thereby subtly discrediting it without directly insulting Ahithophel's overall reputation for wisdom.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Samuel 17:7 is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological significance. **Irony** is paramount, as Hushai, David's loyal friend, acts as a double agent, giving "bad" advice (from a military standpoint for Absalom) that is ultimately "good" for David and his kingdom. Conversely, Ahithophel, renowned for "good" counsel, gives advice that is divinely frustrated and ultimately leads to his own demise. This profound reversal of expectations underscores the theme of divine intervention. The scene also employs **Foil**, with Hushai serving as a direct contrast to Ahithophel. Their opposing counsels and ultimate fates highlight the divergent paths of loyalty and treachery. There is significant **Dramatic Tension** built around Absalom's decision, as the fate of David's kingdom hangs in the balance between these two conflicting strategies. The entire episode is a powerful example of **Divine Providence**, where God, in response to David's fervent prayer, orchestrates human events and manipulates human choices (even deceptive ones) to bring about His desired outcome, making Him the ultimate, unseen orchestrator behind the human drama.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The declaration in 2 Samuel 17:7 serves as a profound theological statement on God's active sovereignty over human affairs. It demonstrates that even the most astute human strategies and the most formidable adversaries are subject to divine will. David's desperate prayer in [2 Samuel 15:31](/2_samuel/15-31 "2 Samuel 15:31 - David's Prayer against Ahithophel") for God to "turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness" is answered directly and dramatically through Hushai's intervention. This is not merely a story of political intrigue, but a powerful testament to God's faithfulness to His anointed king and His ability to use unexpected means, even a deceptive plan, to accomplish His purposes. It teaches us that true wisdom ultimately resides with God, and human plans, no matter how brilliant, are ultimately subservient to His overarching design.

* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - The Lord's Purpose Prevails")
* [Isaiah 44:25](/isaiah/44-25 "Isaiah 44:25 - God Frustrates the Plans of the Wise")
* [1 Corinthians 1:20](/1_corinthians/1-20 "1 Corinthians 1:20 - Where is the Wise?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Samuel 17:7 offers a powerful lens through which to view God's active involvement in our lives, even amidst chaos, betrayal, and seemingly insurmountable odds. It reminds us that our battles are not solely fought on human terms; there is a divine hand at work, often in ways we cannot immediately discern. For believers, this passage reinforces the profound importance of prayer, demonstrating that God hears and responds, sometimes by orchestrating events through unexpected people or seemingly counter-intuitive circumstances. It challenges us to trust in God's ultimate plan, even when our own wisdom, or the wisdom of the world, suggests a different path. We are cautioned against relying solely on human ingenuity or strategic brilliance, as even the most "good" counsel can be rendered "not good" by divine purpose. Instead, our reliance must be on the Lord, who can frustrate the plans of the wicked and protect His own, guiding us through trials and delivering us from danger, ultimately turning what appears to be a setback into a divine setup for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely more on human wisdom or strategic planning than on God's guidance and intervention?**
* **How does David's prayer in 2 Samuel 15:31 inform your own approach to prayer when facing difficult or seemingly impossible situations?**
* **Can you recall a time when God used an unexpected person or seemingly "not good" circumstance to bring about a positive outcome in your life?**
* **How does the theme of divine sovereignty in this passage encourage you to trust God more deeply with your future and the outcomes of your efforts?**

### FAQ
**Why was Ahithophel's counsel considered "good" but Hushai said it was "not good at this time"?**

Answer: Ahithophel's counsel ([2 Samuel 17:1-3](/2_samuel/17-1-3 "2 Samuel 17:1-3 - Ahithophel's Swift Counsel")) was indeed militarily sound and strategically brilliant from a human perspective. It called for an immediate, decisive strike against David while he was weary and vulnerable, which would likely have ensured Absalom's swift victory and prevented David from regrouping. It was considered "good" because it was logical, efficient, and highly likely to succeed. However, Hushai, acting as a double agent for David, declared it "not good at this time" not because it was inherently flawed in its military logic, but because it didn't serve David's interests, which were aligned with God's will. His phrase "at this time" was a clever rhetorical device to subtly discredit Ahithophel's plan without directly insulting his renowned wisdom. Hushai then proposed a counter-plan that appealed to Absalom's vanity and desire for a grand, personal victory, which, while militarily inferior, served God's purpose of delaying Absalom and allowing David crucial time to escape. Ultimately, God "frustrated" Ahithophel's "good" counsel in direct response to David's prayer ([2 Samuel 15:31](/2_samuel/15-31 "2 Samuel 15:31 - David's Prayer against Ahithophel")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine frustration of Ahithophel's "good" counsel through Hushai's "not good" advice in [2 Samuel 17:7](/2_samuel/17-7 "2 Samuel 17:7 - Hushai's Counter-Counsel") powerfully foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's wisdom in Christ, which often appears as foolishness to the world. Just as God used an unexpected and seemingly flawed plan to save David, His anointed king, so too did He use the "foolishness" of the cross to accomplish the salvation of humanity. The world's wisdom would never conceive of a Messiah who suffers and dies to conquer sin, yet this is precisely how God's ultimate plan of redemption was executed, confounding human logic and expectations ([1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18-25 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Foolishness of the Cross")). Jesus, the true "Wonderful Counselor" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Names of the Messiah")), embodies the perfect wisdom of God, a wisdom that consistently confounds the wise and powerful of this age by choosing the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the strong ([1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27-29 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Weak")). The narrative of [2 Samuel 17](/2_samuel/17 "2 Samuel 17 - Hushai's Counsel Prevails"), where God orchestrates events to protect His anointed king and thwart the plans of the wicked, points forward to Christ's ultimate victory over sin, death, and all the schemes of the enemy, demonstrating that God's sovereign plan will always prevail, no matter how formidable the opposition or how seemingly illogical the means.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 31:8

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.