2 Samuel

2 Samuel 17:1-4

Ahithophel advised Absalom; this was where Ahithophel's bitterness and blind anger met Absalom's pride and arrogance.  Both were unable to see clearly what was happening because of their sin.

Ahithophel sought permission to pursue David, not for an all out war, but to kill David and deliver the people to Absalom.  In the darkness of his heart, Absalom saw this as a great idea.  His pride made him overconfident; many had tried to kill David and make war with him. 

2 Samuel 17:5-14

Absalom had at least some habit of wisdom in seeking multiple counsels.  He went to Hushai to see what he advised.  Hushai said it was a bad plan because David's men were mighty and they were angered.  He said waiting and building a larger army would work much better.  Once the larger army was built, Hushai said Absalom should lead them and they would overwhelm David and his men.  Hushai played to Absalom's pride and its not hard to imagine Absalom seeing himself as a conquering king. 

This was all done by the Lord to defeat Ahithophel's advice and bring Absalom to destruction.

2 Samuel 17:15-22

Hushai gave his warning to the priests who were to deliver it to David.  They sent Jonathon and Ahimaaz to get this message to David.  It's clear the country is divided in its loyalties.  A young man reports these men to Absalom that these men were suspicious lurking outside the city.  Likewise, we see a faithful servant of David willing to hide these men and protect them so David could get the message.  This was critical and probably saved David's life. 

2 Samuel 17:23

Ahithophel saw that his advice was not received.  He likely knew Absalom would fail.  He had burned all the bridges with David and knew David would hold him accountable.  He saw no way out of this place he was in and ended up killing himself.  We see the horrible end to this life of bitterness and sin.  As Bathsheba's grandfather, this bitterness toward David was born out of David's sin.  Once again we see the sin David thought was so private and hidden detroyed man lives.

(2 Samuel 23:34 – Athithophel was father of Eliam; 2 Samuel 11:3 – Eliam was the father of Bathsheba.)

2 Samuel 17:24-29

Absalom is leading his army with a cousin of Joab as his general.  We see David and his mighty men are blessed and provided for by the people.  The land is truly divided and confused on which king to follow. 

We live in a similar confusion.  As Christians, we know the King of kings and we have his word and the way to life.  But there are many 'wannabe' kings and lords all around us attempting to lead us astray; all offering something bigger and better than what they have.  Suddenly a contented life is under attack by someone telling us we don't have enough or can have more.  But the false kings or false messiahs and lords that aren't really lords at all never deliver.  All they do is draw us away from the real king. 

©2016 Doug Ford