2 Sa. 17: Here's Some Advice

2 Samuel 17:14 "Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel." For the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom."

Ahithophel, who is just a fount of great advice, suggests to Absalom that the time is now to go in with a surgical strike and take David out, thus crushing the last of those who still stand with David. It doesn't say Absalom asked for this advice, but presumably he had periodic meetings with his advisors, and was probably anxious to end this conflict with his dad. And not to patch things up.

Hushai has a different plan, advising Absalom to overwhelm by sheer numbers. Hushai's advice is followed, and Ahithophel, apparently not used to rejection, goes and hangs himself. Ahithophel's advice, we find, was actually the better of the two options, as God sought to frustrate the plans. Following Hushai's advice apparently will lead to disaster.

Word gets back to David on the plans, and the advice of where to stay and where not to stay protects him.