Everyone needs a friend like Hushai. A long-time trusted counselor to King David, he emerges during the revolt of Absalom and offers to accompany David on his hasty flight from Jerusalem.

David refuses his offer, suggesting instead that he remain in the now decimated court and volunteer to be an advisor to Absalom. Perhaps he can forestall some of that young man's thirst for blood and power.

Hushai goes back to the city and persuades Absalom that he is there to serve him. The young Absalom is in the midst of planning to pursue David's exhausted remnant of an army and wipe them out. This is the advice of his new counselors.
Absalom then turns to Hushai who crafts a speech in which he says that the fleeing David is so enraged he and his men will fall upon Absalom's forces and inflict defeat. Rather, he counsels that they wait until all Israel has had time to flock to the side of the new king who can then draw up an imposing battle line. Arrogant Absalom sees glory in this plan and buys it.

Hushai passes the word to spies who get a message to David to hurry into the wilderness beyond the fords and to prepare for battle. And so David escapes. The ill-fated plan for a great battle on the following day leads to the death of Absalom. Hushai has done his work well.

Read the story, above all of the escape of the two spies who are spotted carrying their message to David and who need to hide. They find a place in an empty well, the owner's wife covers it over and spreads grain on top. She then succeeds in sending the pursuers on a wild goose chase, and David's safe passage is assured.

What a movie could be made from all of this!

Bible references: 2 Sam. 15-16-17