The Lord Frustrates Ahitophel’s Advice

 

2 Samuel 17:1-29 

Key Verse 17:14

 “Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.”

Introduction)

In this chapter, Absalom wanted to kill David in order that he might become a king over the entire Israel land. But his evil intention turned out to be failure and God protected David. We can learn three things from this chapter.

1)      God’s sovereignty: Although man make smart plan, he could not succeed      unless God does allow him.  

2)      God’ protection: We could be in the midst of suffering because of our sin, nevertheless if we still rely on God, he saves us and gives us comfort.

3)      God’s judgment: God judges those who challenge the order and authority that God had established.

 

 

1. Read verses 1-4.  What plan does Ahithophel suggest for Absalom to follow? (1-3) How do Absalom and the elders of Israel feel about this plan? (4)

1-1) Read verses 1-4. 

1.Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

1-2)What plan does Ahithophel suggest for Absalom to follow? (1-3) 

 

-   Ahithophel advised a quick, selective attack against David only (I will strike only the king). He advised urgency, doing while David was still west of the Jordan River.

 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee.

 I would strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.

·         Ahithophep’s clever strategy : David and his people were tired and weak. They could be easily defeated.  Also if David is killed, his followers would lose heart and follow Absalom. - high probability to success and save a civil war each other!

1-3) How does the plan seem to Absalom and all the elders of Israel? (4)

·        It seemed to be good to human eyes!  Although his strategy was smart, it was against God’s will. They should not kill the king whom God anointed. The plan to kill David was to challenge God’s authority and raise his anger.

·         We could make a smart plan to achieve something, but if the plan is against God’s way and his word we shouldn’t pursue it.

 

2. Read verses 5-14. What does Absalom want to do before following Ahithophel’s plan? (5-6) What is Hushai's plan? (7-13)  Why does he suggest this course of action? (15:34)  How do Absalom and the rest respond to Hushai’s plan? (14a)  Why do they respond this way? (14b, 15:31)

2-1)Read verses 5-14. 

 

5 But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”

7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first,[b] whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.

 

11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.”

 

14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

 

2-2)What does Absalom want to do before following Ahithophel’s plan? (5-6) 

·         Absalom called Hushai : He trusted in Hushai  and wanted to get best strategy by consulting him. God worked behind and let Absalom call Hushai to protect David and fail Absalom’s evil intention.

- It is a remarkable evidence of the hand of God and answer to David's prayer in 2 Samuel 15:31 that Absalom even asked for another opinion after such wise, well-received counsel.

- Hushai’s heart must have sanked when he heard of Ahithophel’s smart advice. 

2-3)What is Hushai's plan? (7-13)  

·         Hushai’s advice :  1) He opposed Ahithophel’s  advice with persuasive reasons; a) David and his soldiers are good fighters, b) they are fierce with anger c) David has a lot of battle experience, d) is good war strategist  and brave man.

2) Husahai’s suggestion:  gather all Israel –as number as the sand on the seashore – and attack David. Husahai suggested this strategy to give time to David to flee away crossing over Jordan River and prepare to fight back.

Husahai’s advice sounds good but it have Absalom lose a great chance to kill David only. Also his advice appealed Absalom’s pride and self-glory : “all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley” – unrealistic but good to hear. Husahai knew what kind man Absalom was.

2-4) Why does he suggest this course of action? (15:34) 

“But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘Your Majesty, I will be your servant; I was your father’s servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can help me by frustrating Ahithophel’s advice.” 

2-5)  How do Absalom and the rest respond to Hushai’s plan? (14a)  

·         Absalom selected Hushai’s advice :  His advice led Absalom to make wrong decision.

2-5) Why do they respond this way? (14b, 15:31)

-          The real reason why he chose Hushai’s advice : “For the Lord had determined to frustrated the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.  God used Hushai’s advice to frustrate Ahithophel’s advice.

-          God decided to bring Absalom disaster to punish him for the evil things he had done.

-          Absalom wanted to make perfect plan to achieve what he wanted, but when God frustrated his plan he couldn’t achieve it.

-          Everything is under God’s sovereignty and control and he works behind all scenes to fullfill his will.  God put Hushai in right spot and right moment to frustrate Absalom’s plan.

-          “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21)

 

 

3. Read verses 15-23. What does Hushai say to Zasok and Abiathar? (15-16) How do Jonathan and Ahimaaz escape from Absalom's men? (17-20)  What happens when they reach David? (21-22) What does Ahithophel do when he sees that his advice has not been followed? (23) 

3-1) Read verses 15-23. 

 

15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”

 

17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A female servant was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.

20 When Absalom’s men came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook.”[c] The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem.21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.” 22 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

3-2) What does Hushai say to Zasok and Abiathar? (15-16) 

 

·         Hushai’s report : a) the process of the report : Hushai-  Zadok &Abiathar(15)-  a female servant(17)- Jonathan & Ahimaaz(17)- David (21)

-          There were good people who supported David who was chosen by God. God used this small number of people to help David and fulfill his will. 

1) The real God’s history makers are small number of righteous people and they stand on God’s side without following evil way.

2) In doing right thing when each one does his or her role faithfully, the best result will come out.

3-3) How do Jonathan and Ahimaaz escape from Absalom's men? (17-20) 

·         A man in Hahurim and his wife: They protected Jonathan and Ahimaaz. The wife hid them risking her life- It shows that David was loved by his people because of his righteous ruling and love for his people.  

3-4)  What happens when they reach David? (21-22) 

·         Absalom’s men failed finding two men- even though there might be some group or someone who hinders God’s work, his work will be done eventually.

 3-5) What does Ahithophel do when he sees that his advice has not been followed? (23) 

·         Ahithophel killed himself : When his good plan to kill David was not chosen, he knew that Absalom’s revolt to turn over David’s kingdom would be over soon. 

He also knew that Absalom’s failure means his death as well. Instead of being killed by David, he chose to kill himself. 

Also his pride might’ve been hurt or he could’ve gotten angry when his advice was not chosen. 

 Ahithophel committed suicide, and we know that suicide is a sin because it is self-murder and God commands, you shall not murder (Exodus 20:13). 

Anyone who does commit suicide has given in to the lies and deceptions of Satan, whose purpose is to kill and destroy.

Lessens; 

1) God brings justice to those who do evil things. 

2) those who do evil thing would be destroyed by the evil thing he did or is doing. 3) evil man will end his life with miserable death.

 

4. Read verses 24-29. Where does David go? (24) Who does Absalom appoint over the army? (25) Where do Absalom and the Israelite army camp? (26) How are David and his men helped? (27-29)

4-1) Read verses 24-29. 

24 David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether,[d] an Ishmaelite[e] who had married Abigail,[f] the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. 26 The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

 

27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils,[g] 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.”

 

4-2) Where does David go? (24) 

 David went to Mahanaim, 

 

4-3)Who does Absalom appoint over the army? (25) 

·         Absalom appointed Amasa over the army : He was a cousin of Absalom. He was Joab’s relative too. He was brave worrier but made a wrong choice to stand at Absalom’s side. He was appointed by David as top commander later but was killed by Joab.

4-4)Where do Absalom and the Israelite army camp? (26)

The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

4-5) How are David and his men helped? (27-29)

·         God’s comfort to David through three visitors: Shobi- the brother of king Hanoon who insulted David before. He was ammonite. He still recognized David as a king and supported him even though he was foreigner.

-          They brought things and food that David and his people needed desperately.  

-          It was God who sent them. God sent the three people to comfort and strengthen David and his people to stand up again and restore things.

-          David was in desperate situation. Because of his sin, he lost his throne, his children, his concubines, his people and was in the risk of losing his life. 

-         But God had mercy on him and didn’t abandon him. He comforted and strengthened him through people.

-          “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.

Repeat them in our day,  in our time make them known;  in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2)

 

 

Conclusion;

 God frustrated evil doers’ plan and protected David.  Although Absalom had a smartest man, but God answered David’s prayer. He also comforted David in the midst of his suffering through moving the hearts of few faithful people. God is the sovereign Lord. He never abandons those who rely on him but stays with them and strengthen them to overcome their challenges. 

One word: The Lord helps men who don’t give up!

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