2 Samuel 17:5-8

17:5 But Absalom said, “Call for ¹  Hushai the Arkite, and let’s hear what he has to say.” ²  17:6 So Hushai came to Absalom. Absalom said to him, “Here is what Ahithophel has advised. Should we follow his advice? If not, what would you recommend?”

17:7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “Ahithophel’s advice is not sound this time.” ³  17:8 Hushai went on to say, “You know your father and his men – they are soldiers and are as dangerous as a bear out in the wild that has been robbed of her cubs. ⁴  Your father is an experienced soldier; he will not stay overnight with the army.

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¹ tc In the MT the verb is singular, but in the LXX, the Syriac Peshitta, and Vulgate it is plural.

² tn Heb “what is in his mouth.”

³ tn Heb “Not good is the advice which Ahithophel has advised at this time.”

⁴ tc The LXX (with the exception of the recensions of Origen and Lucian) repeats the description as follows: “Just as a female bear bereft of cubs in a field.”