Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn’t I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”
- KJV And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.
- NKJV Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”
- NASB Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? Just as I have served in your father’s presence, so I shall be in your presence.”
- NLT “And anyway, why shouldn’t I serve you? Just as I was your father’s adviser, now I will be your adviser!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Hushai argues he should naturally serve the son just as he served the father. The reasoning sounds plausible to Absalom but conceals Hushai's true allegiance to David.
Overview
By appealing to continuity of service 'in the presence of his son,' Hushai disarms Absalom's suspicion and secures a place in the rebel's council. This access will prove decisive when Hushai later undermines Ahithophel's deadly advice. The episode shows God positioning a faithful servant to protect His anointed, a quiet instance of providence guarding the line through which Christ would come.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- 2 Sam 15:34But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’
- Ps 55:21His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
- Gal 2:13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
- 1 Sam 29:8“But what have I done?” David replied. “What have you found against your servant, from the day I came to you until today, to keep me from going along to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
- 1 Sam 28:2David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.” “Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.”
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 16:19 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.