Good morning and Many Blessings!
2nd Samuel chapter 17.
David's son, Absalom, was in hot pursuit of King David in order to kill him and overthrow his kingdom. But when God has a plan nothing can stand against it. But God's plan doesn't mean we won't be in uncomfortable situations or even scary situations. It doesn't mean we will never face death. David and those closest to him were running for their lives. They were exhausted and hungry and thirsty. Life was not a bed of roses but God kept watch over them and took care of their needs. What a difficult spot to be in which required great faith.
Can we say, “God, I trust you even in the most difficult situations.”
I'm reminded of Psalm 3:6 which says, “I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.”
Fear is often the very thing that consumes us as we look at the most difficult situations we are facing.
God help me please to have faith to believe in you that you can deliver me from what seems like the most difficult situations. God, help me not to be overcome with fear and doubt.
The last verse of the previous chapter, Chapter 16:23 stated this:
“Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the Word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.”
David knew that it would not be good for him if Absalom was counseled by Ahithophel so he planned to have Hushai spoil Ahithophel’s plans. Back in verse 31 of chapter 15, David had prayed for God to turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness and then David recruited Hushai to help him.
Absalom listened to Ahithophel, but then he asked for Hushai’s advice and he didn’t agree with Ahithophel’s plan. Absalom heard these two different plans as Hushai was doing exactly as David had told him to do. Hushai was trying to do all that he could to save David and he sent a warning to him.
I don’t think that Ahithophel was used to anyone not doing what he told them to do. His advice wasn’t followed so he went back to his home and killed himself. That seemed somewhat strange to me. Was he so selfish that when he didn’t get his way, he decided to just go end it all? It seemed so senseless for him to go and do that. Sometimes people make poor decisions and aren’t thinking straight when they get upset or offended by not getting their way. We can see the results of someone building themselves up on their own selfishness. It’s like building on the sand. It will eventually collapse. It is so much better and wiser to be rooted and built up with Jesus as our Lord as we read in Colossians 2:6-7.
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Ahithophel, Basheba’s grandfather, teaches us another lesson in carrying bitterness in our hearts. Bitterness is like swallowing a bottle of poison and waiting for the other person to die. David didn’t die here but Ahithophel did. I believe he saw the writing on the wall and knew Absalom was going to lose and as a result he (Ahithophel) would be hanged as a traitor so he took his own life.
In Ephesians 4 :31, 32 Paul tells us to put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour and evil speaking ….
The advice of the Lord in His Word is the best to follow. Amen?
In this chapter we read the “right” advice (to kill David) was not followed and the wrong advice was. God has protected David and used people to intervene to keep him safe. It’s a reminder that God will protect us and that He is for us and not against us. Even when we face trouble and feel scared, God continues to be for us. When enemies are against us, plotting and encouraging others to bring us down, God is for us.