2 Samuel 17:7Hushai said to Absalom, "The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good."
The setting
Jerusalem, ~1000 BC. Hushai, David's loyal friend disguised as Absalom's counselor, begins his counterstrike. He must discredit Ahithophel's perfect military advice to save David's life, modern-day Israel/Palestine.
The emotion here: heart pounding, knowing one wrong word means death but David's life depends on this lie
The original word
tovah (טוֹבָה) — good, beneficial; Hushai says Ahithophel's counsel is NOT good
Why it matters
This was the first recorded instance of successful disinformation in warfare - Hushai's lie saved a kingdom
Read with care
What most readers miss in 2 Samuel 17:7
Hushai is lying to save David - sometimes deception serves God's purposes in war
Common misconceptionPeople assume Hushai is being honest here, but he's actually lying strategically - the Bible records deception in war without condemning it.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 2 Samuel 17:7
Bible Genome reading
2 Samuel 17:7 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
2 Samuel 17:7 comes from the book of 2 Samuel, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Hushai. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is conversational. It belongs to the dialogue genre of biblical literature. Key themes include wisdom, counter counsel, discernment. Notable phrases: The counsel that Ahithophel has given; is not good.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does 2 Samuel 17:7 mean to you, today?
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