2 Samuel Chapter 17

The Lord’s hand in preserving David and subsequently restoring the kingship back to David is evidently seen in this chapter. 

Here, we see how Absalom chose to listen to the advice of Hushai (David’s friend) rather than Ahithophel, his fellow conspirator.  It is more surprising in the light of verse 23 which tells us how highly regarded the words of Ahithophel were by both David and Absalom – “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”.  

The folly and pride of Absalom is typical in the downfall of kings. 

Not only do they not have the ability to discern between wise and bad counsel, God allowed their judgement to be confounded (verse 14 – For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom”. 

In our daily lives, we are often faced with many difficult decisions, some with serious and heavy consequences.  Do we have God on our side, to help us through with good sound counsel or are our minds clouded such that we fail to make the right choices. 

The answer depends on whether God is for us or is He against us.

As for Ahithophel, the snub that he received from Absalom was the last straw.  

When Absalom commented that the advice of Hushai is better than his, he decided that this is the end.  He went back to his home, put everything in order before committing suicide by hanging.  While no reasons are given for his actions, we can speculate that his ego and pride is sufficiently bruised to the extent that he just could not live with the shame and shock. 

He probably thought that he has already fallen from favour and that now Absalom will listen to Hushai instead of him.  As Prov 16:18 states “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” 

In life, we may meet with many setbacks, do we also throw in the towel and say “I have enough and that’s it”, or do we look at the setbacks with humility, seeking to know what went wrong and what we need to do and bravely continue to meet with life’s challenges. 

Once again, the key to overcoming and to be victorious lies with whether God is for us or against us.

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