3 Bring all of the other people back. After the man you want to kill is dead, everyone else will return to you. And none of the people will be harmed."
4 Ahithophel's plan seemed good to Absalom. It also seemed good to all of the elders of Israel.
5 But Absalom said, "Send for Hushai, the Arkite. Then we can find out what he suggests."
6 Hushai came to him. Absalom said, "Ahithophel has given us his advice. Should we do what he says? If we shouldn't, tell us what you would do."
7 Hushai replied to Absalom, "The advice Ahithophel has given you isn't good this time.
8 You know your father and his men. They are fighters. They are as strong as a wild bear whose cubs have been stolen from her. Besides, your father really knows how to fight. He won't spend the night with his troops.
9 In fact, he's probably hiding in a cave or some other place right now. "Suppose he attacks your troops first. When people hear about it, they'll say, 'Many of the troops who followed Absalom have been killed.'