Come on, let's be careful how we treat them, so that when they grow numerous, if a war breaks out they won't join our enemies, fight against us, and leave our land."

Just then, someone told David, "Ahithophel is one of Absalom's conspirators!" So David prayed, "LORD, please turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness."

Absalom and all of the Israelis replied, "The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than Ahithophel's!"

He frustrates the plans of the crafty; so that what they work for never succeeds.

No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.

Aram, Ephraim, and Remaliah's son have plotted this evil against you:

"Band together, you nations, but be shattered! Listen, all you distant countries! Strap on your armor, but be shattered.

The spirits of the Egyptians within them will be drained of courage, and I will bring their plans to nothing. They will consult idols and spirits of the dead, and mediums and spiritists.

"Shout for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout aloud, you depths of the earth! Burst out with singing, you mountains, you forest, and all your trees! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob and will display his glory in Israel.

Bringeth

who frustrates the omens of idle talkers, and drives diviners mad, who turns back the wise, and makes their knowledge foolish;

He maketh

Though they plot evil against you and devise schemes, they will not succeed.

Never grant, LORD, the desires of the wicked; never condone their plans so they cannot exalt themselves. Interlude

General references

Then all of them went to their own homes.