7. Hushai said to Absalom, “Ahithophel’s advice is not good this time.”
8. Hushai added, “You know that your father and his men are strong men. They are as dangerous as a wild bear when something has taken its cubs. Your father is a skilled fighter. He will not stay all night with the people.
9. He is probably already hiding in a cave or some other place. If your father attacks your men first, people will hear the news and think, ‘Absalom’s followers are losing!’
10. Then even your bravest men will be frightened, because all the Israelites know that your father is a powerful soldier and that his men are very brave.
11. “This is what I suggest: You must gather all the Israelites together from Dan to Beersheba. Then there will be many people, like the sand by the sea. Then you yourself must go into the battle.