In the strategic debate over how to defeat David, Hushai dismantles Ahithophel’s plan by painting a starkly different psychological and military picture of the enemy. While Ahithophel assumed that a tired and weary camp could be easily overwhelmed by a night attack, Hushai turns this perceived weakness into a terrifying advantage.
David’s men are seasoned, brave warriors. Their current state of disappointment, anger, and anxiety does not make them vulnerable. Instead, their bitterness will drive them to fight with fierce determination rather than retreat [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Driven by despair and a sense of loss, they will strike with an immense, cruel power that far exceeds their normal strength in times of peace [אלשיך]. To illustrate this danger, their emotional state is compared to a wild bear roaming the field. The primary approach among commentators understands this as a mother bear that has been robbed of her cubs. Fueled by pain and bitter grief, she fears nothing and viciously attacks anyone who crosses her path [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם]. Alternatively, another perspective views this not as a grieving mother, but as a highly lethal, predatory bear that brings death and destruction to its victims [רלב״ג].
Beyond the fierce readiness of the soldiers, David himself is a highly experienced commander, deeply familiar with military tactics and ambushes. Anticipating a night attack, he will not allow his army to sleep grouped together in an exposed or predictable location [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, David will not sleep alongside his troops. Instead, he will conceal himself in a hidden spot, such as a cave or a pit [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, רלב״ג].
Therefore, Ahithophel’s strategy to strike the king alone in his sleep is destined to fail. David is not out in the open. If Absalom’s forces attempt an ambush, David’s concealed warriors will launch a surprise counterattack, immediately spreading panic and fear throughout Absalom’s advancing army [רלב״ג, רד״ק].