1. Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Please let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will set out and pursue after David tonight.
2. I will come upon him while he is weary and weak. I will startle him, and all of the people who are with him will flee. Then I will strike down the king while he is alone.
3. Then I will return all the people to you; when all have returned, the man whom you are seeking will be dead, but all the people will be safe.”
4. The word was right in the eyes of Absalom and in the eyes of all the elders of Israel.
5. Then Absalom said, “Please call also for Hushai the Arkite, and let us hear what he has to say also.”
6. So Hushai came to Absalom, who said to him, “Shall we do according to this word that Ahithophel has spoken? If not, then you tell us.”