Hushai appears as David's trusted servant, sent back to Jerusalem when David learned of Ahithophel's treason in Absalom's rebellion, with the task of foiling Ahithophel's counsel. Ahithophel, the wisest counselor and grandfather of Bathsheba, advised Absalom to take 12,000 men and pursue David that night while he was weary, striking only the king. Humanly speaking this was sound advice that could have worked. Hushai did exactly what David wanted. In II Samuel 17:7-14 he declared Ahithophel's counsel not good at this time, played on Absalom's fear of David and his mighty men, and urged him to gather all Israel and come against David with hundreds of thousands. This was a stalling tactic, and it succeeded, because it let David go to ground and gather his own army. About 20,000 men died in the rebellion, and David regained the throne. Hushai's counsel closed Ahithophel's opportunity for revenge over the Bathsheba affair. Ahithophel, seeing his advice rejected and Absalom doomed, went home to Giloh and hanged himself.

Being blindsided by the betrayal of a friend or a brother in the church is one of the hardest experiences to endure. Even Jesus Christ had to face betrayal from Judas Iscariot. It was among the final trials He had to bear. Yet, in response, He instructed Judas with resolve, saying, "What you have to do, do quickly." This example underscores the profound pain of betrayal and the strength required to confront it, trusting in God's justice to prevail in His time.