1. Then Ahithophel said to Absalom: "I will choose for myself twelve thousand men, and rising up, I will pursue David this night.
2. And rushing against him, for he is weary and has weakened hands, I will strike him. And when all the people who are with him will have fled, I will strike down the king in isolation.
3. And I will lead back the entire people, returning in the manner of one man. For you are seeking only one man. And all the people shall be in peace."
4. And this word pleased Absalom and all those greater by birth of Israel.
5. But Absalom said, "Summon Hushai the Archite, and let us hear what he also may say."
6. And when Hushai had gone to Absalom, Absalom said to him: "Ahithophel has spoken a word in this manner. Should we do it or not? What counsel do you give?"
7. And Hushai said to Absalom, "The counsel that Ahithophel has given at this time is not good."
8. And again Hushai declared, "You know your father, and the men who are with him, to be very strong and bitter in soul, comparable to a bear raging in the forest when her young have been taken away. Moreover, your father is a man of war, and so he will not live among the people.