Thursday Evening Bible Study

August 23, 2012

Introduction

Do people see Jesus? Is the gospel preached? Does it speak to the broken hearted? Does it build up the church? Milk – Meat – Manna Preach for a decision Is the church loved?

We’ve seen David become king of Israel.

We’ve seen him conquer his enemies, the nations all around Israel.

We’ve seen David commit a terrible sin, adultery with Bathsheba, followed by the murder of her husband Uriah.

We saw some of the ramifications of David’s sin take place as David’s oldest son Amnon follows his dad’s example of sexual sin and rapes his half-sister Tamar.  Tamar’s full brother Absalom then plots and has Amnon murdered.

After being in exile for a couple of years, Absalom is back in Jerusalem.

15:1-12 Absalom’s Treason

:1 After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

:1 Absalom provided himself with …

As far as we can tell (2Sam. 3:2-5), Absalom may be the next in line for the throne, according to the old standard rules of the oldest inheriting the throne.

Now that Absalom has apparently been restored to David’s good graces, he begins to act like a crown prince. He’s now got his own limousine and his own contingent of secret service men.

Lesson

I deserve it

You could make a very convincing case for the fact that Absalom deserves to be king. He is after all, the next in line for the throne.

He wants there to be a parade wherever he goes.

What is wrong with Absalom actively going after the throne when it’s his in the first place?

The problem lies in how Absalom is going about it.

We aren’t told when David made up his mind who would succeed him on the throne, but later David will tell Bathsheba that he had earlier sworn to her that her son Solomon would be on the throne (1Ki. 1:17,30). We don’t know if that has happened yet within the story of Absalom.

Absalom doesn’t have any respect for authority.

It’s not Absalom’s place to choose the next king. It’s David’s place.

Even though David was anointed king as a young man, he waited until his time came. He never raised a hand against Saul to overthrow him.

:2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.”

:3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.”

:4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.”

:2 the way to the gate

Play “Gates at Dan” clip.

The gate of a city was where business was carried out in the city.  It was where the courts were located.  This clip is from the northern city of Dan, where the council would sit off to the side, while the king/judge would sit at the “throne” at the gate.

If you had a matter that needed settled in court, this is where you would go.

Absalom got up early in the morning in order to hang out on the road before people got to the gate, and that’s where he would say his little spiel … which was not true.

It sounds as if he’s running for office.  There is nothing new.

:5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.

:6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

:6 stole the hearts

Lesson

The sweet talker

There is a danger when someone tells you all the things you want to hear.  Sometimes they are right, but sometimes they are going to be the next Absalom.  They get your “friendship” or “vote” by telling you what you want to hear, only to gain power.

Watch out for the Absalom around you.

He’s the one who criticizes the boss.

He’s the one pushing his own agenda.

He’s the flatterer.

He’s wrong.

:7 Now it came to pass after forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please, let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the Lord.

:7 after forty years

Probably meaning during David’s last year of reigning.

This cannot mean that Absalom has been kissing up to people for forty years.

1. It could be that this is a “typo” that has crept into the text. The Syriac and Arabic translations, along with Josephus’ account all say “four” years here. David only reigned in Jerusalem for 33 years (2Sam. 5:5), but added to the seven years in Hebron, he ruled for forty years.

2. It could be that this is happening at the end of David’s reign, which was forty years in total.

:8 For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the Lord indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’ ”

:9 And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.

;8 your servant took a vow

Lesson

Pseudo spiritual

There are two possibilities here:

1. Absalom did vow to the Lord.

It’s possible that Absalom is deceived into thinking that God is on his side.

The problem is that this is not God’s way.

God’s way is to support those in authority over you, not destroy them.

God’s way is to let Him handle the things you don’t agree with.

These are the things that David did when Saul was king. David tried his best to support Saul, until he finally ended up running for his life. David didn’t take things into his own hands and kill Saul, even when the opportunity presented itself to him.

2. Absalom is lying.

I tend to think that this is probably the case.

There are people who will use religious talk to try and persuade you.

How do I know the real truth?

Jesus said to look at the fruit.

(Mt 7:15–17 NKJV) —15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

You’ll see Absalom’s fruit real soon…

:9 went to Hebron

Absalom is going to hatch a plot to overthrow his father and become king.

Play “Hebron map” clip.

Hebron is about eighteen miles south of Jerusalem.

He is going to get a little distance from his father so he can get his plans together and not worry about David finding out.

:10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’ ”

This isn’t something that takes place over a few days.  This plot must have taken quite a bit of time to put together.

:11 And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything.

Possibly leaders from Jerusalem, these men are brought into the plot without even knowing it.

It’s possible that Absalom wants to create in the minds of the people initially that this is legitimate, that David actually supports his son becoming king.

:12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.

:12 Ahithophel the Gilonite

Play Giloh map video.

Ahithophel is from Giloh, a town in the hills between Jerusalem and Hebron.

Ahithophel is known as the “uber” counselor.

When he speaks, people listen.

Grandfather to Bathsheba

It’s very possible that he was greatly offended when David committed adultery with his granddaughter and killed her husband Uriah.

When Absalom invites him into the plot, he accepts.

It is fascinating that he takes sides with Absalom, when his own grandson, Solomon, has been promised the kingdom by David.

David would write two songs about Ahithophel’s betrayal – Psalm 55 & 41.

15:13-37 David flees Jerusalem

:13 Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

:14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

One of the reasons David is fleeing is to make sure that any battle that takes place, takes place outside the city.

He doesn’t want his city or his family in harm’s way.

:14 let us flee

Lesson

Resolving Conflict

When you are at odds with someone, there are lots of ways to resolve conflict.

Some of us resort to a form of one of two ways, things that are probably influenced by the way we were raised, or what we’ve grown accustomed to.

Attack

Some of us feel that if a conflict is going to get resolved, we better face it head on and deal with it.

We may tend to be good at arguing, quick on our feet, and may even feel like we have a Scriptural reason to “attack” because the Scripture says,

(Eph 4:26 NKJV) “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

And so when we come up with conflict, we go into it head on, feeling that we have to push the issue until it is resolved.

Retreat

Some of us would prefer to retreat.  When there is someone who has expressed something difficult towards us, we do whatever we can to avoid them.

We too may feel like we have Scriptural authority and may quote things like:

(Mt 5:39 NKJV) But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Or even:

(1 Co 10:32 NKJV) —32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,

When two “attack” people are married to each other, expect sparks to fly.

When two “retreat” people are married to each other, expect that things don’t get resolved and for resentments to grow.

When an “attack” person is married to a “retreat” person, the “retreat” person is always on the run.

What is Absalom about to do?  Attack.

What does it look like David is doing?  Retreat.

But be careful here.  David may be backing off for now, for the sake of the city, but he will catch his breath and deal with this situation.

Play Kenny Rogers, “The Gambler” clip

“Know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em”

Resolving conflict is a tricky, difficult thing.  I’m not sure there’s a pat answer to it.  I think sometimes it’s good to back off enough to let emotions calm down.  But you can’t retreat forever.  It’s good to learn how to go head to head and resolve things peacefully until the problem is fixed.

If you only resolve conflict by running from the problem, you may not really be resolving anything.

:15 And the king’s servants said to the king, “We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands.”

:16 Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house.

Ten of David’s “concubines”, kind of a half/wife, are left behind to feed the pets and dust the house.  Perhaps David is expecting to come back.

:17 And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts.

:18 Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king.

:18 from Gath

Play Gath map video

Gath is that Philistine city about 24 miles west of Jerusalem.

Cherethites … Pelethites – Philistines who followed after David.  They served almost like the “secret service”, as David’s chief body guards.

Gittite – people from “Gath”

These men have a connection with David that stretched back to the days when he had been running from Saul and had been living with the Philistines, connected to the Philistine city of Gath. (1Sam. 27:2)

(1 Sa 27:2 NKJV) —2 Then David arose and went over with the six hundred men who were with him to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.

Some of them had apparently only recently made the move from Gath to Jerusalem…

:19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place.

:19 Ittai the Gittite – recently joined David in Jerusalem.  We’ll see this man is a sort of commander, a leader among the Gittites.  David will soon put part of his army in his charge.

:20 In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you.”

:21 But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.”

:21 even there also your servant will be

Lesson

Loyalty

Ittai knows the honor of loyalty.

He’s not about to “jump ship” to join the latest, newest leader on the horizon (like Absalom).

Illustration

An English publication offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of entries received were the following: “One who multiplies joys, divides grief”; “One who understands our silence”; “A volume of sympathy bound in cloth”; and “A watch which beats true for all time and never runs down.” But the entry which won the prize said, “A friend—the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”

Illustration

As the Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding along towards the north, they spotted a war party of about 50 Apaches coming at them. They turned south, but another war party appeared. They turned east and met another party of 100 braves. They turned west as their last remaining hope and saw a party of 500. The Lone Ranger turned to his friend and said, “Well, faithful friend, this is the end, there’s not much we can do.” Tonto looked back at the Lone Ranger. “What you mean WE, white man?”

This is very similar to how we ought to feel about our “Lord”.

At one point in His ministry, Jesus was saying some things that some people didn’t like.  Some of the many people who had begun to follow Him stopped following Him.

(Jn 6:67–69 NKJV) —67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

:22 So David said to Ittai, “Go, and cross over.” Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over.

:23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness.

:23 toward the way of the wilderness

Play “David Flees” Map video.

David is leaving Jerusalem, heading to the east across the Kidron Valley, then up the Mount of Olives, and on toward the Jordan River Valley.

He will eventually stop at Mahanaim.

:24 There was Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city.

The priests show up with the other evacuees, carrying the famous Ark of the Covenant.  They intend to go with David.

:25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place.

:26 But if He says thus: ‘I have no delight in you,’ here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.”

:26 let Him do to me as seems good

I think there’s a hint at the struggle going on inside of David.

There is a sense that he has brought all this upon himself.

When he sinned with Bathsheba, there were some ramifications, terrible ones.

(2 Sa 12:10 NKJV) Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’

Even though David was forgiven by God over his sin, he would still see and experience the consequences of his sin.

If you rob a liquor store, you may confess your sin and find forgiveness from God, but that doesn’t mean you won’t and shouldn’t pay the earthly consequences for your sin.

Lesson

Trusting God’s decision

David is not going to just quit life.  He’s not going away to die.

But he’s also not assuming that he’s blameless in the difficulty.

David wrote a Psalm during this time. It shows us where his heart is at:

(Ps 3 NKJV) — A Psalm of David When He Fled from Absalom His Son. 1 Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah 3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. 4 I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. 7 Arise, O Lord; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah

David is putting his life in God’s hands.

:27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

:28 See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”

David is going to use Zadok and his sons for guidance.

If Zadok hears things from the Lord regarding David, then he is supposed to let David know what God wants of him.

The two sons will also be used as messengers for other messages as well.

:29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there.

:30 So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up.

:31  weeping as they went up

I’m not sure this is just weeping from defeat.

Some of it may be weeping at the end of David’s kingdom.

Some of it may be weeping of repentance – David seeing the end result of his sins.

:31 Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

:31 I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel

Everyone considers Ahithophel a powerful, smart, man.

David prays that God will take care of the very shrewd, smart things that Ahithophel will advise Absalom with.

I think it also speaks to the fact that David is aware that Ahithophel has a problem with him.

Even though he was once David’s closest counselor, he is no more.

Psalm 41 is quoted as a prophecy about Judas betraying Jesus, but we believe that David wrote is originally about his friend Ahithophel turning on him:

(Ps 41:9 NKJV) Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

:32 Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God—there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.

:32 Hushai the Archite

This is another of David’s chief counselors/friends.

Solomon wrote,

(Pr 11:14 NKJV) Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

We see that David didn’t just rely on one counselor, Ahithophel.

David had several men who were his counselors.

David meets him when he gets to the top of the Mount of Olives.

:33 David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me.

:34 But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father’s servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,’ then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me.

:35 And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? Therefore it will be that whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall tell to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

Hushai won’t be the only one in town sympathetic to David.  Zadok and Abiathar will be there too.

:36 Indeed they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear.”

:37 So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.

:34 defeat the counsel of Ahithophel

Lesson

Answered prayer

David had just asked God to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, and then Hushai shows up.

I wonder if David was thinking when Hushai showed up, “I was just praying about God defeating the counsel of Ahithophel…”

Sometimes God’s answer to prayer is a person.

16:1-4 Ziba’s story

:1 When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.

:1 Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth

Back in 2Sam. 9, David had been thinking about his promise to his friend Jonathan, the promise to honor Jonathan’s family.

David found one of Saul’s servants, Ziba, and asked if anyone from Jonathan’s family was still alive.

He ended up finding out about Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, and taking him under his wing, giving him all of Saul’s property, and having Ziba take care of him.

Mephibosheth was a grown man, but a cripple.

Now Ziba shows up as David is making his exit.

:2 And the king said to Ziba, “What do you mean to do with these?” So Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink.”

:3 Then the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’ ”

:4 So the king said to Ziba, “Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!”

:3 the kingdom of my father to me

Supposedly Mephibosheth responded to the news of David’s departure by thinking that he was now going to become king and take over.

David responds to this report by giving it all to Ziba the servant.

Lesson

The real story

The problem with this whole story is that we really don’t know if it’s true or not.  This is just what Ziba reports to David.

When David returns after the coming civil war, he will be met by Mephibosheth, who is all disheveled and who claims that Ziba had deceived David and left Mephibosheth behind.

Sometimes people don’t tell you the truth.  But which one was a liar?  We don’t know.

Solomon wrote,

(Pr 18:17 ESV) The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

I think it’s a very dangerous thing to try and attempt marriage counseling when you are only hearing one side of the story. I’ve had the nicest people sitting in front of me telling me this horrendous story about their spouse and tend to believe every word I hear. But when I hear the spouse’s side, I often feel like I’ve been made a fool.

Illustration

Betty, the town gossip and self-appointed supervisor of the town’s morals, kept sticking her nose into other people’s business.

Several local residents were unappreciative of her activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence. However, she made a mistake when she recently accused Ted, a local man, of being an alcoholic after she saw his pickup truck parked outside the town’s only bar one afternoon.

Ted, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just walked away without saying a word. Later that evening, he parked his pickup truck in front of her house and left it there all night.

Things aren’t always what they seem.

Sometimes people are going to lie to our face. With Ziba and Mephibosheth, both stories can’t be true. One of them must be lying. But which one?

I’m not really sure.

In a way, I don’t blame David. He doesn’t have time to check out Ziba’s story. He’s running for his life. Sometimes we’re going to make mistakes.

16:5-14 Shimei’s Curses

:5 Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came.

:5 Shimei

Like Mephibosheth, this man has some sort of family tie with old king Saul.

It seems that he would have a descendant who would be famous one day.

(Es 2:5 NKJV) In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite.

Shimei is not as nice as Mordecai will be.

He has heard that David is leaving, and he’s not sorry to see it happen.

:6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

:7 Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue!

:8 The Lord has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!”

:8 you are a bloodthirsty man

It could be that Shimei is blaming David for Saul’s death. It could be that he is blaming David for the death of Ishbosheth, who ruled briefly after Saul. But David wasn’t responsible for any of these things.

It’s possible that he’s thinking of Uriah’s death, which David WAS responsible for.

:6 he threw stones at David

Lesson

Kick when you’re down

Shimei apparently never had the guts to say these things to David while David was the reigning king.

Yet now that David looks like he’s on the way out, Shimei has the courage to vent all his anger at David.

Solomon wrote,

(Pr 24:17–18 NKJV) —17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; 18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.

:9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!”

:9 Abishai the son of Zeruiah

Another one of David’s nephews.

:10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”

:11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him.

:12 It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.”

:13 And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust.

:11 Let him alone, and let him curse

Lesson

Accepting what comes

I think I hear the self-condemnation in David’s answer.  He knows that he is a guilty man and in some sense deserves all of this.

Some people think he should have taken Abishai’s offer because he has been forgiven and shouldn’t take the insults.

But David remembers his sin. He remembers what God said would happen as a result of his sin. And he’s willing to accept it.

At this point in David’s life, he isn’t sure what God is doing. If God wants to punish David, he doesn’t want to reject it.

Later on, when David has been through this tough season, and he has a better handle on what had happened, he will give instruction to his son Solomon:

(1 Ki 2:9 NKJV) Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood.”

:14 Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.

David and his people apparently stop on the western side of the Jordan River without crossing it.

16:15-23 Ahithophel’s Advice

:15 Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him.

:16 And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

:17 So Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”

I wonder why we don’t have a record of this conversation happening between Absalom and Ahithophel?

Actually, it happened a little differently with Ahithophel. Absalom had called for Ahithophel. He apparently had this idea that he would be able to count on Ahithophel to join his rebellion.

(2 Sa 15:12 NKJV) —12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.

Hushai is questioned because he came to Absalom instead of Absalom asking for him.

:18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain.

:19 “Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”

Hushai gives an excellent answer to Absalom.

His loyalty is to the nation of Israel.

You could even make a point that he’s simply telling the truth.

It seems to satisfy Absalom.

:20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give advice as to what we should do.”

:21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.”

:22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

:23 Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

:22 in to his father’s concubines

Lesson

Sin’s harvest

David had sown the seeds of sin with Bathsheba, and now the full crop is being reaped.

Nathan prophesied when David had sinned:

(2 Sa 12:11 NKJV) Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.

Could it be that Ahithophel knew of this prophecy?  Perhaps, but it still happened.

The Bible says,

(Ga 6:7–8 NKJV) —7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

:23 Ahithophel…the oracle of God

Lesson

Good advice vs. God’s advice

Be careful about taking a person’s advice without question. Even mine.  Be careful about making a person’s advice to be at the same place as if God has spoken.

And sometimes the advice might be good, but we might misunderstand it!

Illustration

When Pigs Fly

One sunny day, a man was walking down the street when a truck came flying by and hit a bump in the road. As the truck sped away a crate fell off. Excitedly the man ran over to see what was in the crate. The man open the crate and was stunned to see a pig. The man didn’t know what to do so he asked a police officer for some advice. The officer suggested that the man take the pig to the local zoo. A few days later while the police officer was directing traffic, he noticed this same man driving by in a car. The officer motioned to the man so he could find out if everything went well with his advice. The officer walked up to the car and was stunned to see sitting next to the man... the pig! The pig was sitting upright, with his seat belt on, holding a pinwill, and sqealing “wheeeee”. In between them sat a six pack of soda and some popcorn. “Good afternoon officer!” the man said. The pig looked over and gave a couple polite snorts. The stunned officer asked the man, “I thought I told you to bring that pig to the zoo!” The man replied, “Oh, I did, and we had so much fun today we’re going to the ballgame!!”

We need to always test the things we listen to.

The Bereans listened to what Paul had to say, and then checked it with the Scriptures.

(Ac 17:11 NKJV) These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.