New International Version Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.” New Living Translation “And anyway, why shouldn’t I serve you? Just as I was your father’s adviser, now I will be your adviser!” English Standard Version And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you.” Berean Standard Bible Furthermore, whom should I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.” Berean Literal Bible And secondly, whom should I serve? Is it not before the face of his son? As I have served before the face of your father, so will I be in your presence.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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.” New American Standard Bible 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.” NASB 1995 “Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I will be in your presence.” NASB 1977 “And besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I will be in your presence.” Legacy Standard Bible Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I will be in your presence.” Amplified Bible Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of David’s son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I shall serve in your presence.” Berean Annotated Bible Furthermore, whom should I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours. Christian Standard Bible Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, I will also serve in yours.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, I will also serve in yours.” American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version Besides, it seems right for me to serve you, just as I served your father." English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation And besides, whom should I serve? Shouldn't it be his son? As I served your father, so I'll serve you." Good News Translation After all, whom should I serve, if not my master's son? As I served your father, so now I will serve you." International Standard Version Besides, who else should I be serving? Why not the son? The same way I served your father, I'll serve you." NET Bible Moreover, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you." New Heart English Bible 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." Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFurthermore, whom should I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.” World English Bible 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 I will be in your presence.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand secondly, for whom do I labor? Is it not before his son? As I served before your father, so I am before you.” Berean Literal Bible And secondly, whom should I serve? Is it not before the face of his son? As I have served before the face of your father, so will I be in your presence.” Young's Literal Translation and secondly, for whom do I labour? is it not before his son? as I served before thy father so am I before thee.' Smith's Literal Translation And the second time, to whom shall I serve if not before the son? as I served before thy father so will I be before thee. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBesides this, whom shall I serve? is it not the king's son? as I have served thy father, so will I serve thee also. Catholic Public Domain Version But then too, I declare this: whom should I serve? Is it not the son of the king? Just as I have been subject to your father, so will I be subject to you also.” New American Bible Furthermore, as I was in attendance upon your father, so will I be before you. Whom should I serve, if not his son?” New Revised Standard Version Moreover, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? Just as I have served your father, so I will serve you.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd again, whom should I serve? I have no choice. As I have served in your father's presence, so will I serve before you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And for the second time, whose Servant am I? I have not had anything in my hands, even as when I served before your father. Thus I shall serve before you” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And again, whom shall I serve? should I not in the presence of his son? As I served in the sight of thy father, so will I be in thy presence. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai…18“Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by the people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.” 20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”… Cross References Furthermore, whom should I serve if not his son? 1 Kings 1:17 “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’ 1 Chronicles 28:5 And of all my sons—for the LORD has given me many sons—He has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. As I served in your father’s presence, 2 Samuel 15:34 But 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.’ 2 Samuel 15:21 But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!” so also I will serve in yours.” 1 Kings 1:35 Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.” 1 Chronicles 29:23 So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. 1 Kings 1:27 Has my lord the king let this happen without informing your servant who should sit on the throne after my lord the king?” 1 Kings 1:19 And he has sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the other sons of the king, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army. But he has not invited your servant Solomon. 1 Kings 1:25 For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 1 Kings 1:7-8 So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him. / But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah. 1 Kings 2:22 King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!” 1 Kings 2:15 “You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD. 1 Kings 2:13 Now Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, “Do you come in peace?” “Yes, in peace,” he replied. 1 Chronicles 12:17 And David went out to meet them, saying, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free of violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you.” 1 Chronicles 12:38 All these men of war, arrayed for battle, came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of the Israelites were of one mind to make David king. 1 Chronicles 29:24 All the officials and mighty men, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon. Treasury of Scripture And again, 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. should I not serve 2 Samuel 15:34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. 1 Samuel 28:2 And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever. 1 Samuel 29:8 And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king? Jump to Previous Besides Father's Furthermore Labour Presence Secondly Servant Serve Served Shouldn'tJump to Next Besides Father's Furthermore Labour Presence Secondly Servant Serve Served Shouldn't2 Samuel 16 1. Ziba, by presents and false suggestions, obtains his master's inheritance5. At Bahurim, Shimei curses David 9. David with patience abstains, and restrains others, from revenge 15. Hushai insinuates himself into Absalom's counsel 20. Ahithophel's counsel Furthermore, whom should I serve if not his son? Hushai presents service to Absalom as the natural continuation of his former service to David. His words appeal to the customary expectation that loyalty to a king would extend to the king’s heir, though Hushai’s true allegiance remains with David. 1Ki 1:17 “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore”… As I served in your father’s presence, Hushai reminds Absalom of his respected position in David’s court. By claiming the same readiness to serve Absalom, he gains access to the rebel king’s counsel while concealing his purpose to protect David’s kingdom. 2Sa 15:34 But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel… so also I will serve in yours.” Hushai’s carefully framed pledge enables him to remain within Absalom’s court and counter Ahithophel’s counsel. His presence becomes a means by which Absalom’s rebellion is weakened and David is preserved. 1Ki 1:35 Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come… Persons / Places / Events 1. AbsalomThe son of King David who rebelled against his father, seeking to usurp the throne of Israel. 2. Hushai the Archite A loyal friend and advisor to King David, who pretended to support Absalom to undermine his plans. 3. David The King of Israel, father of Absalom, who was forced to flee Jerusalem due to Absalom's rebellion. 4. Jerusalem The capital city of Israel, where Absalom established his temporary rule during his rebellion. 5. Rebellion of Absalom A significant event where Absalom sought to overthrow his father, King David, leading to a civil conflict. Teaching Points Loyalty and DeceptionHushai's actions remind us that loyalty to God's anointed can sometimes require strategic deception to thwart evil plans. This calls for discernment and wisdom in our own lives. God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs Despite Absalom's rebellion, God's overarching plan for David's kingship prevailed. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem dire. The Consequences of Sin Absalom's rebellion is a direct consequence of David's earlier sins (2 Samuel 12:10-12). This serves as a reminder of the long-lasting impact of sin and the importance of repentance and seeking God's forgiveness. The Role of Wise Counsel Hushai's counsel was instrumental in thwarting Absalom's plans. This highlights the importance of seeking and valuing wise, godly counsel in our decision-making processes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 16:19?2. How does 2 Samuel 16:19 demonstrate loyalty amidst political turmoil? 3. What can we learn about discernment from Hushai's actions in this chapter? 4. How does Hushai's loyalty compare to biblical teachings on friendship and allegiance? 5. In what ways can we apply Hushai's wisdom in our daily decisions? 6. How does Hushai's strategy align with God's sovereignty in 2 Samuel 16? 7. How does 2 Samuel 16:19 reflect loyalty and betrayal in biblical narratives? 8. What does 2 Samuel 16:19 reveal about the political dynamics in King David's reign? 9. How does 2 Samuel 16:19 challenge our understanding of allegiance and authority? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 16? Hushai’s seemingly simple words are a masterclass in faithful cunning. By respectfully continuing the dialogue, appealing to family loyalty, citing his proven track record, and echoing David’s own instruction, he secures a place beside Absalom while actually advancing David’s cause. The verse illustrates how God can use loyal servants, even in politically charged moments, to protect His anointed and fulfill His promises. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Furthermore,וְהַשֵּׁנִ֗ית (wə·haš·šê·nîṯ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number) whom לְמִי֙ (lə·mî) Preposition-l | Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix should I אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I serve אֶֽעֱבֹ֔ד (’e·‘ĕ·ḇōḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave if not הֲל֖וֹא (hă·lō·w) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no the son? בְנ֑וֹ (ḇə·nōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1121: A son As כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that I served עָבַ֙דְתִּי֙ (‘ā·ḇaḏ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave in your father’s אָבִ֔יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father presence, לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face so also כֵּ֖ן (kên) Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus I will serve אֶהְיֶ֥ה (’eh·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be in yours.” לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face Additonal Resources 2 Samuel 16:19 Blue Letter Bible2 Samuel 16:19 Bible Gateway 2 Samuel 16:19 Bible.com 2 Samuel 16:19 NIV |
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