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.

But if thou return into the city, and wilt say to Absalom: I am thy servant, O king: as I have been thy father's servant, so I will be thy servant: thou shalt defeat the counsel of Achitophel.

and if to the city thou dost turn back, and hast said to Absalom, Thy servant I am, O king; servant of thy father I am also hitherto, and now, I am also thy servant; then thou hast made void for me the counsel of Ahithophel;

But if you go back to the town and say to Absalom, I will be your servant, O king; as in the past I have been your father's servant, so now I will be yours: then you will be able to keep Ahithophel's designs against me from being put into effect.

but if you return to the city, and tell Absalom, 'Your brothers have left, O king, after your father left, and now I will be your servant, O king. As I have been your father's servant in time past, so now I will be your servant,' then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.

But if you return to the city, and you say to Absalom, 'I am your servant, O king; just as I have been the servant of your father, so too will I be your servant,' you will destroy the counsel of Ahithophel

But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy (u) 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.
(u) Though Hushai was deceitful here at the king's request, we may not use this example to excuse our deceit.

But if thou return to the city,.... To the city of Jerusalem, from whence it seems he came:
and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as he was by usurpation, and by the proclamation of the people with him. David directs him to address him thus, that he might have no suspicion of him, having been an old friend of his:
as I have been thy father's servant hitherto; perhaps in the character of a counsellor, as it should seem, since as such he was afterwards employed by Absalom:
so will I now also be thy servant; in whatsoever thou shall please to employ me under thee:
then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel; for being taken into Absalom's service, and made one of his counsellors, he would be privy to the advice of Ahithophel, and so be able to work against him.

And say - That is, as faithful to thee, as I have been to thy father. David's suggesting this crafty counsel must be reckoned amongst his sins. Nevertheless God was pleased to direct this evil advice to a good end.