Hushai
Hushai (hus'-sha-i) or Chusai (
spy according to the Hebrew Bible. During Absalom's rebellion, as described in the Second Book of Samuel
, he agrees to act as an advisor to Absalom to sabotage his plans while secretly sending information to David. It was on his advice that Absalom did not immediately pursue the retreating David, thus giving David time to regroup and gather his forces. Hushai's advice helped to ensure Absalom's rapid defeat.
Life
Hushai was an Archite, that is, a native of
1 Kings 4:5. In the Books of the Maccabees it is an official title given by the Seleucids
to persons of confidence who have important military or civil functions (1 Maccabees 2:18; 3:38; 6:10, 14, 28; 7:6-8; etc.). It is likely then, that Hushai's title of "friend" of King David does not imply the intimate relations suggested by the term.
Nevertheless, the account that is given of him during Absalom's rebellion (
Zadok, Abiathar, and their sons: Ahimaaz, Zadok's son and Jonathan, Abiathar's son (2 Samuel 15:36
).
References
- ^ Gill's Exposition of 2 Samuel 15, accessed 2 August 2017
- ^ 2 Samuel 15:33
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Chusai". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. The original article was by Joseph P. Thomas.
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