NET Bible
"So Hushai came to Absalom. Absalom said to him,“Here is what Ahithophel has advised. Should we follow his advice? If not, what would you recommend?”"
— 2 Samuel 17:6, NET Bible
“And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.”
“And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not, speak thou. ”
“When Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, "Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up."”
“And when Chusai was come to Absalom, Absalom said to him: Achitophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do it or not? what counsel dost thou give?”
“And when Hushai came, Absalom said to him, This is what Ahithophel has said: are we to do as he says? if not, what is your suggestion?”
“And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.”
and will bring the entire army back to you. In exchange for the life of the man you are seeking, you will get back everyone. The entire army will return unharmed.”
This seemed like a good idea to Absalom and to all the leaders of Israel.
But Absalom said,“Call for Hushai the Arkite, and let’s hear what he has to say.”
So Hushai came to Absalom. Absalom said to him,“Here is what Ahithophel has advised. Should we follow his advice? If not, what would you recommend?”
Hushai replied to Absalom,“Ahithophel’s advice is not sound this time.”
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.
At this very moment he is hiding out in one of the caves or in some other similar place. If it should turn out that he attacks our troops first, whoever hears about it will say,‘Absalom’s army has been slaughtered!’