Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 17:11

"But I counsel that all Israel be gathered together unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person." — 2 Samuel 17:11 (ASV)

I counsel that all Israel. — Hushai had before him a difficult task. He not only had to “make the worse appear the better reason,” but also to do this in the face of the counsel of a man very famous for his wisdom and devoted to Absalom's interests, while his own fidelity had just recently been called into question.

He accomplishes his task successfully by emphasizing all the possible hazards and contingencies of the plan recommended by Ahithophel, and by proposing, on the other hand, a plan attended with no risk. This alternative plan rested on the assumption that the great mass of Israel already were, and would continue to be, on Absalom’s side—an assumption which, with delicate flattery, he assumes as true.