In those days Ahithophel’s advice was considered as valuable as a prophetic revelation. Both David and Absalom highly regarded the advice of Ahithophel.

So the king got up and sat at the city gate. When all the people were informed that the king was sitting at the city gate, they all came before him.But the Israelite soldiers had all fled to their own homes.

Hushai went on to say, “You know your father and his men – they are soldiers and are as dangerous as a bear out in the wild that has been robbed of her cubs. Your father is an experienced soldier; he will not stay overnight with the army.

But David said, “What do we have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? You are like my enemy today! Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t you realize that today I am king over Israel?”

David said to him, “Your blood be on your own head! Your own mouth has testified against you, saying ‘I have put the Lord’s anointed to death.’”

So the Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to David, Nathan said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.

Hushai replied to Absalom, “No, I will be loyal to the one whom the Lord, these people, and all the men of Israel have chosen.

So the watchman called out and informed the king. The king said, “If he is by himself, he brings good news.” The runner came ever closer.

David said to the messenger, “Tell Joab, ‘Don’t let this thing upset you. There is no way to anticipate whom the sword will cut down. Press the battle against the city and conquer it.’ Encourage him with these words.”

But Joab said to him, “You will not be a bearer of good news today. You will bear good news some other day, but not today, for the king’s son is dead.”

So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stuck by their king all the way from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.

David asked him, “Where are you coming from?” He replied, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.”

Then David called one of the soldiers and said, “Come here and strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died.

The king chanted the following lament for Abner: “Should Abner have died like a fool?

He instructed the messenger as follows: “When you finish giving the battle report to the king,

So the messenger departed. When he arrived, he informed David of all the news that Joab had sent with him.

Because he committed this cold-hearted crime, he must pay for the lamb four times over!”

Shimei son of Gera the Benjaminite from Bahurim came down quickly with the men of Judah to meet King David.

You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse.

Be strong! Let’s fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The Lord will do what he decides is best!”