2 Samuel 16:15-17:23
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had ordained to foil the good advice of Ahithophel, in order for the Lord to bring disaster on Absalom. (17:14)
Message: Ahithophel’s Counsel Defeated
Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader.
What the Lord is Saying: I left off with David not necessarily a popular guy and yet submitting to the Lord and waiting to see how God will work out the situation.
He is near Jerusalem having received the ire of Shimei. Absalom, his 3rd son seems interested in the throne and had been in Geshur, but now is back in Jerusalem, this time accompanied by Ahithophel, a counselor of David and man of wisdom that now seems to be with Absalom. Hushai is also present, a spy for David. Hushai greets Absalom with “Long live the king” directed towards Absalom it would seem to give Absalom the idea he is supporting him and yet those words are strategic deception.
Absalom's response to Hushai is one of non-belief. He doesn’t believe what Hushai is speaking because he knows he’s a friend of David but Husbai again gives the idea that he was there for Saul and he will be there for Absalom as well. So Absalom asks him advice and he tells him to sleep with David's concubines, a military act. In the ancient Near Eastern context, taking possession of a king's concubines was a declaration of taking over his throne and authority. And so it was done and in the process fulfill a prophecy from David after his sin with Bathsheba. It occurred probably on the same rooftop where Bathsheba and David had done their act.
And in chapter 17 Ahithophel gives Absalom further advice on how to attack David. Do it while he is weary and weak. Hushai’s advice is sought as well. But Hushai says the advice is not good as David is a smart fighter and will foil this plan.
Instead Hushai encourages to being together all of the men of Israel and with so many men he will not have a chance. But in verse 14 it says, “the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.” Proverbs 19:21, which states, "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails."
And thus Hushai shares the information with Zadok and Abiathar the two priests so that they will tell David and he will know the plan that has been set forth. The information is communicated to David in a clever and secretive way through the sons of the priests - Jonathan and Ahimaaz and by way of a servant girl who could move freely about without any suspicion of anyone. Once done the words of Ahithophel are found out by David and he knows the King knows of his betrayal and Ahithophel hangs himself.
Summary: Ahithophel betrays David siding with Absalom in a coup to make Absalom king. But Hushai gets the information communicated to David.
Promise: God may allow the enemies of His people to succeed for a time, but eventually He will bring them down.
Prayer: You are sovereign. This book reveals that your plans are always clear and present in this world. You order our land. You order our ways. As You intervened in the days of King David to turn the wise counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness, I ask that You frustrate every demonic plan, evil counsel, and conspiracy against your people in this world today. Lord, I trust in Your ability to turn the hearts of those against me, even when I am weak and weary, to make their strategies fail. Please surround me with divine helpers like Hushai, who can bring truth and sound wisdom in times of crisis. I thank You that You are my refuge and my deliverer.
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