16:15-19
Hushai did as David requested. When Absalom made his grand entrance into Jerusalem, along with Ahithophel, Hushai came to him. He offered his allegiance to Absalom, saying “long live the king”. (16)
Absalom questioned Hushai about his loyalty to David. But Hushai said he would serve whoever is chosen to be king. As he served David, he would now serve Absalom. (19)
Hushai overcame Absalom’s skepticism by stating that Absalom was chosen by God and by Israel to be the king. He gave the appearance of accepting God’s will and, therefore, serving as God would have him serve. This, however, is a ruse.
Ahithophel Advises Absalom
16:20-23
Once on the throne, Absalom sought Ahithophel’ advice on what to do first as king. Ahithophel advised Absalom to have sex with the 10 concubines David left behind to take care of the royal house. This would make him a “stench” to David (an unpleasant smell). Ahithophel wanted to avoid any reconciliation between Absalom and David. It would also be a show of strength in that Absalom had taken David’s concubines from him.
So, they put up a tent of the roof of the royal house. That was a place that could be seen by the public. It was “before (in sight of) all Israel”. It was also the place where David first saw Bathsheba and desired her. Absalom had sex with all ten of David’s concubines.
Thus, another of God’s words through Nathan came to be fulfilled. Nathan had said “I will take your wives before your eyes and give them your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun” (12:11-12)
Verse 23 tells us how much Ahithophel’s counsel was valued. Both David and Absalom considered it to be as if one consulted the word of God. We do see, however, that it was a practical, secular wisdom, not always a spiritual wisdom.
Ahithophel Advises Absalom Again
17:1-4
Ahithophel next advised Absalom to attack David immediately. This was brilliant advice. David’s death would remove any further objection to Absalom’s claim to be king.
Ahithophel even volunteered to lead the attack. He asked for 12,000 men to attack David while he and his men were still exhausted from their journey. He believed David’s people would flee, leaving David exposed and easy to kill. Saving the rest of their fellow Israelites would be looked upon favorably by the rest of Israel. Absalom and the elders of Israel thought it to be good advice.
Hushai Advises Absalom Contrary to Ahithophel
17:5-14
Even though Absalom valued the advice of Ahithophel, he sought additional advice from Hushai. Absalom told Hushai what Ahithophel had advised.
Hushai contradicted Ahithophel. He told him his plan was risky because David and his might men were enraged. Plus, David was an expert in war. He would not stay with the people, but hide himself. Thus, Ahithophel’s plan would not work. In addition, word would get out that some of Absalom’s men had been killed. That would cause the people of Israel to fear David and his mighty men.
Rather, Hushai advised gathering warriors from all over Israel to have a great and overwhelming force with which to attack David. In addition, Hushai said Absalom himself should lead the attack. Thus they would defeat David and Absalom would get the credit. He appealed to the vanity of Absalom.
The delay necessary to raise fighters from all of Israel would give David and his men time to rest and prepare for the battle.
Absalom and the elders agreed that Hushai had better counsel that Ahithophel and agreed to follow his plan. The Lord answered David’s prayer in 15:31 to turn Ahithophel’s counsel to foolishness. The Lord used this prayer to work harm to Absalom and restore David to the throne.
Hushai Sends Word To David
17:15-22
As David had instructed, Hushai notified the two priests of his advice and of Ahithophel’s. He told them to tell David not to remain by the river, but to cross over with his people so they could not be ambushed. It seems that Hushai was not confident that Absalom would stick with his plan. He might go ahead and attack as Ahithophel advised.
The priests sent a woman to tell their sons the news. But, the sons were seen by a supporter of Absalom. They had to hide in a well. A woman had an ingenious idea to cover the well with cloth and grain to disguise it.
Absalom’s servants did not find them. When they asked the woman, she misdirected them. They returned to Jerusalem empty handed.
The two sons then made it to David and relayed the counsel to cross the river. David followed the advice of Hushai and took his people across the river.
Ahithophel Kills Himself
17:23
When Ahithophel discovered that his plan was rejected, he went home and committed suicide. He realized that the alternate plan would fail. If Absalom failed, David would come for him and execute him.
Setting The Stage For Battle
17:24-26
When Absalom gathered the men of Israel, they moved toward the area where David was camped to prepare for battle. They crossed the Jordan and camped at Gilead. That is the land immediately east of the Jordan River. This is where the tribes of Rueben, Gad, and Manasseh settled when the Israelites came to Canaan under Joshua.
David took his people to Mahanaim, the former capitol city of Ish-bosheth. While he was there, loyal friends brought supplies to him. Shobi, probably king of the Ammonites in Rabbah after David deposed his brother came. Machir, who had taken in Mephibosheth before David brought him to Jerusalem, also came. This indicates that David had the support of those east of the Jordan River and Absalom did not.
Then Barzillai, who lived in Gilead, brought a huge supply of goods: beds, basis, vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lettings, hone, curds, sheep, and cheese. This allowed David’s people to rest, eat, and regain their strength.
The stage is now set for the battle between father and son, the chosen\anointed king and the usurper.
Takeaways
God is always working to accomplish his will and purpose. We may not recognize his work at the time, but he is working. In John 5:17, Jesus said “my Father is always working…”
God’s purpose cannot be thwarted by men, even smart ones. “…he does according to his will among the hosts of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand or say to him ‘what have you done?’”
God often provides in unlikely ways. David received provisions from a pagan, a member of Saul’s family, and a senior citizen.
No comments:
Post a Comment