The King's Friend

"Hushai the Arkite was the king's friend." 1 Chronicles 27:33

Among an extensive list of King David's overseers that included men in charge of the vineyards, the camels, the donkeys, olive trees and the storehouses, men with the responsibility of acting as the king's babysitter, counselor and commander of his army, was this man Hushai, whose noble description was: "the king's friend."

For some reason I just think that's incredibly cool. All we know of the man is his name, and that he served a pivotal role when Absalom tried to usurp David's throne. David's friend Hushai was prepared to flee with David (see 2 Samuel 15-17, please) but was given the responsibility of staying in Jerusalem as a mole or spy to frustrate Absalom's plans.

I guess it's no wonder he was included in the list of David's important officials, and that God wrote his name into Scripture. Everyone needs a close friend and confidant (and probably not more than one or two) and a person like that is invaluable and worthy of honor and mention. Also, I think Hushai is a quiet, yet excellent, example to us of the importance of faithfulness to our King, and a reminder that we, too, may each be regarded as "the king's friend."