Context No. 2657 of 4322 · 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 27:25-34: in context

25Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel. Over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub. 27Over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite. Over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28Over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite. Over the cellars of oil was Joash. 29Over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite. Over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. 30Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite. Over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. 31All these were the rulers of the property which was King David’s. 32Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons. 33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. 34After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was the captain of the king’s army.

Chronicles lists the officials of David's kingdom, overseers of the treasuries, the fields, the vineyards, the herds and camels, and then the men closest to the king: Ahithophel the counselor, Jehiel the tutor of the king's sons, Joab the army commander. And among them, one title stands apart from all the offices: Hushai the Archite, the king's friend.

David had counselors, managers, commanders, people useful to his rule. But he also had a friend, and the text gives Hushai that as a role: the king's friend. It is worth noticing that even a king, surrounded by advisers, needed and had a friend, someone valued not for his usefulness but for his loyalty and companionship. And Hushai's friendship would prove its worth; when Absalom rebelled, it was this friend who stayed loyal at great risk and helped save David's throne. Advisers give counsel for a fee or a post; a friend gives himself. We need both, but we can too easily fill our lives with the useful and neglect the friend, and forget to be one.

Am I a true friend to those I know, valued for loyalty and not just usefulness, and do I value the friends I have rather than only the people who are useful to me?

Sources

1 Chronicles 27:33: Ahithophel was the king's counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king's friend.
1 Chronicles 27:32: Also Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe.
Proverbs 18:24: A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.