Hushai

Hushai or Chusai was a friend of David and a spy according to the Bible. During Absalom's rebellion, 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.

Biography
Hushai was an Archite, that is, a native of Archi, a place south of the portion of Ephraim, near Bethel. He is attributed as "the king's friend".

Nevertheless, the account that is given of him during Absalom's rebellion shows that in his case the title was not merely official. Just after David has heard of the treason of his counselor Ahitophel, he is met, on his way up the Mount of Olives by Hushai, whose garments are rent and whose head is covered with dust. He is probably an old man, for David tells him he would be a burden in the flight. But the king does honour to Hushai's cleverness by sending him to Jerusalem to "defeat the counsel of Ahitophel". Hushai persuades Absalom to take him into his confidence, and, in the council held shortly afterwards in regard to the measures to be taken against David, he obtains a delay which secures the safety of the king. He is able likewise to convey information to David through Zadok, Abiathar, and their sons.

This article is a derivative of the original article by Joseph P. Thomas and is used under public domain