1. David's friend (15-19)

When Absalom arrived in Jerusalem, Hushai came up to him and exclaimed, "Long live the king!" Absalom thought Hushai was referring to him, but he wasn't. That is what Hushai wanted him to believe, but Hushai was actually speaking about David. The same was true when Hushai declared his loyalty to the one whom the LORD and all the men of Israel had chosen. Hushai chose his words carefully in a way that never betrayed David. Hushai really was David's friend. He was obedient and trustworthy and he valued David's life more than his own. Jesus says, "You are my friends if you do what I command." Hushai is an example of how to be a friend of the king.

2. Ahithophel's counsel (20-23)

Hushai's mission was to frustrate the advice of Ahithophel and that was not an easy task. Ahithophel advised Absalom to sleep with David's concubines in order to ensure a permanent separation between David and Absalom. Although his advice was wicked, God used it to fulfill his word. Long ago, the prophet Nathan had declared to David that "Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you..." In all of this, Hushai could rest in the fact that God's sovereign will would prevail.