OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. AHITHOPHEL'S COUNSEL IS OVERTHROWN BY HUSHAI'S - (1-14)

II. HUSHAI SENDS A REPORT TO DAVID - (15-22)

III. AHITHOPHEL HANGS HIMSELF - (23,24)

IV. ABSALOM APPOINTS AMASA CAPTAIN OF HIS ARMIES - (25-29)

I. AHITHOPHEL'S COUNSEL IS OVERTHROWN BY HUSHAI'S - (1-14)

Ahithophel was a faithful and trusted counselor of both David and Absalom. When Ahithophel spoke it was as if God was speaking himself.

Davis is now "on the run" and Absalom seeks counsel from Ahithophel concerning his next move. Ahithophel asks that he be given twelve thousand men to pursue after the king. He knows that he should not underestimate David, for to this point David had never lost a military battle. "I will come upon him while he is weary and weak...", David and his men were; see (16:14).

The plan is to frighten David's supporting troops so as to minimize conflict and casualties, and take the king only (vs. 2). Absalom and his elders are pleased with the plan, but Absalom would like to get a 'second professional opinion' (Prov. 11:14).

It appears that up to this point Absalom has not been convinced of Hushai's loyalty (16:15ff). Hushai is very wise, a student of human nature. He performs brilliantly as he very politically sways Absalom from Ahithophel's counsel to his own. Note Hushai's approach.

First of all, Hushai does not negate Ahithophel's counsel, he merely says that it is not good "at this time." The situation is delicate. If Hushai were to totally nullify Ahithophel's advice, he probably would have had no further hearing. But Hushai's initial response opens the door for step number two.

"...Thou knowest thy father..," maybe not as well as Absalom should have but he knew him well enough to know that the following observations of his father's character and fighting ability were true. Hushai begins to "de-psyche the troops. "...Mighty men... chafed in their minds ... a bear robbed of her whelps (Prov. 17:12; Hos. 13:8) ... man of war (vs. 8) ... hid in some pit... There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom." Hushai paints a black picture. The men can see their blood spilling out onto the ground, the initial excitement following Ahithophel's counsel has subsided. "...All Israel knoweth...mighty man ...valiant men." The innuendo is intended to appeal to Absalom's vulnerable ego. Hushai sets him up "...Ahithophel and his twelve thousand could not accomplish this, but YOU COULD! "I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee" (vs. 11). Here comes the pitch, the "last hurrah." "...from Dan to Beersheba ... for multitude ... shall we come upon him ... we will light upon him ... there shall not be left so much as one ... there shall be not one small stone found there." Hushai has negated Ahithophel's counsel and motivated them by appealing to their over nourished egos. "The counsel of Hushai the Archite (sounds) is better than the counsel of Ahithophel" (vs. 14). Hushai's counsel procures for David some valuable time to effect a successful escape.

Ahithophel's counsel is defeated and it is called "good counsel", but the purpose or intent is that "the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom." See (1 Sam. 16:14; 18:10; 19:9; Judg. 9:23; Lam. 3:37-39; Deut. 32:39; Jer. 18:11).

 

II. HUSHAI SENDS A REPORT TO DAVID - (15-22)

We observed in an earlier study David establishing some undercover agents in Jerusalem upon his abdication of the throne in (15:24-29).

Hushai tells Zadok and Abiathar the whole story of the counseling sessions with the new king. Hushai is concerned that Absalom will reverse his decision and follow the counsel of Ahithophel, for he knows that David is extremely vulnerable at that moment. The message is passed from the priests to the "wench," from her to Jonathan and Ahimaaz (vs. 17), from them to David. The two spies are hidden in the manner in which the spies of (Josh. 2:1-7) were hidden by Rahab the harlot. These two incidents in some way may typify the arrival of the two "spies" or witnesses of (Rev. 11).

In an earlier lesson we discussed the subject "is it ever right to lie?", notice (vs. 20) as the woman sends Absalom's men on a "wild goose chase." See notes on (1 Sam. 16:1-4 and 20:27-29).

The message is successfully relayed to David, he and his men make their way across the Jordan before daybreak.

III. AHITHOPHEL HANGS HIMSELF - (23,24)

The passage is somewhat thought provoking, why did Ahithophel hang himself? God does not condemn the man for his counsel, to the contrary the man spoke as the 'oracle of God' (16:23). Was Ahithophel's pride damaged by the fact that his counsel was rejected? We know that to some degree Ahithophel pictures the death of the apostle Judas (Matt. 27:5). Ahithophel withdrew his loyalty from David (type of Christ) and gave it to Absalom (type of Anti-Christ). Yet, there is no selfish motive revealed in the text.

Could it be that Ahithophel saw himself as some great counselor who irregardless of his counsel (even when it was right and not selfishly motivated) saw that God had the final say in all matters and overruled him in the end.

Ahithophel seems to be very much in control of his faculties right to his final moment. He calmly clears his desk at the office, drives home, retrieves the insurance policies, the will, and scribbles down some final instructions and parting words to his wife and family; then, rationally, premeditatedly blows his brains out! Although suicide is obviously wrong, it is not difficult for one to understand how some people, quite rationally and humanly speaking, see it as their only comfortable alternative and escape from life.

 

IV. ABSALOM APPOINTS AMASA CAPTAIN OF HIS ARMIES - (25-29)

Absalom and Joab did not have the kind of personal relationship they needed to work together. Review (2 Sam. 14:21-33). Joab definitely had a superior attitude towards Absalom, something that could never change. Absalom also knew that Joab had been loyal to David for so many years he wouldn't ever be able to completely trust him in such a vital position. A change was imperative.

Absalom takes Hushai's advice and begins to pursue his father into battle. David comes in contact with some old friends and acquaintances who have compassion on him and his men. The prophetic picture is God's compassionate care and provision for 'his remnant in the tribulation wilderness wanderings. (Rev. 12:6; Hos. 2:14-20; Mic. 7:14,15; Ex. 16:1). It appears in reading the list of (vss. 28-29), that David and his troops want for nothing. "...Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?" (Psa. 78:19). Ask David.