In the days when King David reigned over Israel, turmoil and strife brewed within his own household. His son Absalom, driven by ambition and a thirst for power, had risen in rebellion against his father. David, heartbroken yet resolute, fled Jerusalem with his loyal followers, seeking refuge in the wilderness. The kingdom was divided, and the hearts of men were tested. It was in this time of uncertainty that the events of 2 Samuel 17 unfolded, a tale of intrigue, betrayal, and divine providence.
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### The Counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai
Ahithophel, once a trusted advisor to David, had defected to Absalom’s side. His wisdom was renowned, and his counsel was regarded as if one had inquired of the oracle of God. Absalom, eager to solidify his claim to the throne, sought Ahithophel’s guidance. The old advisor, with a calculating mind and a heart hardened by betrayal, proposed a bold plan.
“Let me choose twelve thousand men,” Ahithophel said, his voice steady and confident. “I will set out and pursue David tonight, while he is weary and discouraged. I will strike him with terror, and all the people with him will flee. Then I will kill only the king. I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. You seek only the life of one man, and all the people will be at peace.”
Absalom and all the elders of Israel listened intently. The plan seemed sound, even brilliant. It was swift, decisive, and promised to end the conflict with minimal bloodshed. Ahithophel’s words carried the weight of experience, and the assembly was inclined to follow his advice.
But Absalom, perhaps sensing the need for a second opinion, called for Hushai the Arkite, David’s loyal friend who had remained in Jerusalem to act as a spy. Hushai, with his silver tongue and unwavering loyalty to David, stood before Absalom and the elders. He knew the stakes were high. If Ahithophel’s plan were carried out, David’s life would be in grave danger.
“The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time,” Hushai began, his voice calm but persuasive. “You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is an experienced warrior; he will not spend the night with the troops. Even now, he has hidden himself in one of the pits or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.”
Hushai paused, allowing his words to sink in. He could see the doubt creeping into the minds of Absalom and the elders. He continued, his tone now more urgent.
“So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.”
Hushai’s plan was grand, ambitious, and appealed to Absalom’s pride. It promised a glorious victory, with Absalom leading a vast army to crush his father’s forces. The elders, swayed by Hushai’s eloquence, agreed that his advice was better than Ahithophel’s. Unbeknownst to them, this was all part of God’s plan to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel and protect David.
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### The Despair of Ahithophel
When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he knew that the tide had turned against him. His wisdom had been rejected, and with it, his influence over Absalom. He returned to his home, his heart heavy with despair. He set his house in order, and then, in a final act of defiance or perhaps resignation, he hanged himself. Thus ended the life of a man whose wisdom had once been sought as if it were the word of God.
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### David’s Escape
Meanwhile, Hushai sent word to David through his trusted messengers, Zadok and Abiathar the priests. He warned David not to stay in the wilderness but to cross over the Jordan River, for Absalom was preparing to pursue him with a vast army. David, ever the man of action, heeded the warning. He and all his followers crossed the Jordan under the cover of darkness, their hearts filled with both fear and hope.
As dawn broke, they found themselves in the safety of the wilderness of Mahanaim. There, they were met by allies who brought them provisions: beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese. These gifts were a testament to the loyalty and compassion of those who still revered David as God’s anointed king.
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### The Hand of God
Throughout these events, the hand of God was evident. Though David had sinned and faced the consequences of his actions, God had not abandoned him. The rejection of Ahithophel’s counsel, the loyalty of Hushai, and the provision of allies in Mahanaim all pointed to God’s sovereign care. Even in the midst of rebellion and betrayal, God was working to fulfill His promises to David.
As David rested in Mahanaim, he must have reflected on the words of the psalm he had written long ago: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Though the path ahead was uncertain, David trusted in the Lord’s guidance and protection.
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### Conclusion
The story of 2 Samuel 17 is a powerful reminder of God’s providence and the futility of human schemes apart from His will. Ahithophel’s wisdom, though great, could not prevail against the purposes of God. Hushai’s loyalty and cunning were instruments in the hands of the Almighty. And David, though a flawed man, remained the chosen vessel through whom God would fulfill His promises.
In the end, the rebellion of Absalom and the betrayal of Ahithophel served to highlight the faithfulness of God. Even in the darkest moments, when the future seemed uncertain and the forces of evil appeared to prevail, God was at work, guiding His people and fulfilling His divine plan.
