^{16 Ref} and it cometh to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, hath come unto Absalom, that Hushai saith unto Absalom, `Let the king live! let the king live!'

^{17 Ref} And Absalom saith unto Hushai, `This thy kindness with thy friend! why hast thou not gone with thy friend?'

^{18 Ref} And Hushai saith unto Absalom, `Nay, for he whom Jehovah hath chosen, and this people, even all the men of Israel, his I am, and with him I abide;

^{19 Ref} and secondly, for whom do I labour? is it not before his son? as I served before thy father so am I before thee.'