31 Now someone told David , saying , " Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom ." And David said , "O Lord , I pray , make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness ." 32 It happened as David was coming to the summit , where e God was worshiped , that behold , Hushai the Archite met him with his coat torn and dust on his head . 33 David said to him, "If you pass over with me, then you will be a burden to me. 34 "But if you return to the city , and say to Absalom , 'I will be your servant , O king ; as I have been your father's servant in time past , so I will now be your servant ,' then you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me. 35 "Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there ? So it shall be that whatever e e you hear from the king's house , you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests . 36 "Behold their two sons are with them there , Ahimaaz , Zadok's son and Jonathan , Abiathar's son; and by them you shall send me everything that you hear ." 37 So Hushai , David's friend , came into the city , and Absalom came into Jerusalem .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:31-37
Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:31-37
(Read 2 Samuel 15:31-37)
David prays not against Ahithophel's person, but against his counsel. He prayed this, in firm belief that God has all hearts in his hand, and tongues also. But we must second our prayers with endeavours, and David did so, else we tempt God. But we do not find wisdom and simplicity so united in any mere man, that we can perceive nothing which needs forgiveness. Yet, when the Son of David was treated with all possible treachery and cruelty, his wisdom, meekness, candour, and patience, were perfect. Him let us follow, cleave to, and serve, in life and in death.