"The Archite" (Joshua 16:2; Archi, or Erech, belonging to the children of Joseph, on the S. bound of Ephraim, between Bethel and Ataroth). "Friend," "companion" or privy councillor of David. Probably aged, as David says (2 Samuel 15:32-34; 2 Samuel 15:37; 2 Samuel 16:16; 1 Chronicles 27:33) "if thou passest on with me, thou shalt be a burden unto me" (compare 1 Chronicles 19:35). By David's suggestion he returned to the city, and feigned to be now Absalom's friend, as he had been that of his father. (See DAVID; ABSALOM.) The policy was crooked and dishonourable; but it was overruled to Absalom's ruin by adopting Hushai's sinister counsel, rather than Ahithophel's satanically wise advice. (See AHITHOPHEL.)

He veiled his treachery with religious hypocrisy, saluting Absalom twice with" God save the king," and justifying his seeming desertion of "his friend" David, which surprised even Absalom, with the pretence so flattering to Absalom's vanity, "nay, but whom Jehovah and this people and all Israel choose, his will I be "; i.e., Jehovah's choice and the whole people's is so clear, that I had no alternative left but to accept it as a matter of duty (!); and inspiring confidence by reminding him how faithfully he had served his father, and that "as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence." How little usurpers can trust the sincerity of their courtiers! God punished Absalom's own treachery to his father, and religious hypocrisy, in kind (2 Samuel 15:7-8).

God does not sanction evil, and condemns those who "do evil that good may come,'" but allows evil to be punished by evil. Hushai spoke in hyperboles, as suited to the shallow man he was addressing, of the irresistible might with which the whole nation would light upon David "as the dew falleth on the ground." so that "of the men with him there should not be left so much as one." Fear of his father's valor, indecision, and vanity were all acted on by Hushai's plausible counsel that, instead of pursuing David at once, Absalom should wait to collect all Israel, and lead them to battle in person.

The counsel seemed safe, and at the same time gratified Absalom's boasting spirit. Hushai artfully assumed that all Israel "from Dan to Beersheba" would follow him; whereas it was much more likely that after the first surprise of the rebellion gave place to greater deliberation, a large force would gather round the rightful king. Hushai communicated Absalom's decision to Zadok and Abiathar, and these through Jonathan and Ahimaaz to David. Hushai probably died before Solomon's reign, for Zabud son of Nathan was "the king's friend" under Solomon. But Baanah son of Hushai was a commissariat officer of Solomon in Asher and Aloth (1 Kings 4:5;)