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2 Samuel 16:18

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 16:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
2 Samuel 16:18 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
16And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David`s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, [Long] live the king, [Long] live the king.
17And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
18And 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.
19And again, whom should I serve? [should I] not [serve] in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father`s presence, so will I be in thy presence.
20Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give your counsel what we shall do.
21And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father`s concubines, that he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then will the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
← 2 Samuel 16:172 Samuel 16:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Hushai said to Absalom, etc.] In answer to his questions: nay, but whom the Lord, and his people, and all the men of Israel choose: here again he speaks very ambiguously; for this circumlocution, or descriptive character of the king of Israel, better agrees with David, whom he might bear in mind, than with Absalom; for the Lord had chosen David, and he was anointed by his order, and all the people of Israel had chosen and anointed him likewise; but as for Absalom, it was only a part of them that had declared for him, nor was there any evidence of the Lord’s choosing him; though Hushai undoubtedly would be under stood of him, and as interpreting the voice of the people to be the voice of…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Sa2 5:1-3; Sa1 16:13 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 16:19”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification