Today we see events rapidly coming to a climax.  Ahithopel, Bathsheba’s grandfather, was a wise and well respected counsellor (2 Sam 16: 23). Just as Nathan had prophesied (2 Sam 12: 11-12) Absolom arrives in Jerusalem, and following the advice of Ahithophel, he publically sleeps with David’s concubines in a tent pitched on a roof for all to see.  By carrying out this very public act, there could be no turning back.  Absolom declared his firm intention to wrest the throne from his father, and fully commits his followers (2 Sam 16: 15-23).  So what to do next?

The core of Ahithopel’s plan was to kill only David.  With David gone, his supporters would have no choice but rally to Absolom.  Without a civil war the nation would remain united and David’s gains would be preserved – a good plan.

Hushai, however, proposed a mass attack on David and his supporters so that no one would be left alive.  It assumed that David would be unable to raise an army, and that Absolom would enjoy absolute numerical superiority.  This plan clearly appealed to Absolom’s vanity (2 Sam 17: 1-14).  As mentioned yesterday, in Psalm 3:2 David’s descriptive words support the view that there was considerable unhappiness with David’s later leadership, and that the whole nation was behind Absolom. It is significant at this point to note that neither Absolom nor any other adviser thought of asking God for guidance, even though the ark, the high priest, and ephod used in inquiring of God were present in Jerusalem!  Absolom’s failure suggests he completely ignored God in his desire to seize the throne.

However, Hushai managed to inform David about the advice Absolom had decided to follow and the subsequent action he would take.  The plan to inform David was nearly thwarted, but for the actions of a man in Bahurium and those of his wife in hiding Jonathan and Ahimaaz in a well, to avoid discovery by Absolom’s men (2 Sam 17: 17-20).  Despite Absolom’s efforts, the message got through and David and all his men crossed over the Jordan.

Ahithopel realised all was lost when his counsel was rejected, and our reading concludes with his suicide, and the two armies of Absolom and David about to go to war (2 Sam 17: 24-29).

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Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you that you are always in total control, and are able to use the decisions of men to bring about your purposes.  Thank you for the way you used people in my life, to bring me to salvation and into a wonderful relationship with you. Amen.