2 Samuel 17

In 2 Samuel 17, Absalom, David’s son, is plotting to overthrow his father’s kingdom. He seeks advice from two counselors: Ahithophel and Hushai. Ahithophel, whose counsel was highly regarded, advises Absalom to pursue David immediately with a select force of 12,000 men to strike him while he is weary, aiming to kill only David, the shepherd, so the people (the sheep) would scatter and submit to Absalom (2 Samuel 17:1-3). This strategy aligns with Ahithophel’s goal to decisively eliminate David, believing it would collapse his support base. However, as David had prayed for God to turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31), God intervenes.

However, Hushai, secretly loyal to David, counters with a different plan. He advises Absalom to gather all Israel for a massive assault, arguing that David and his men are fierce warriors and a smaller force might fail (2 Samuel 17:7-13). Hushai’s plan seems more cautious but is strategically unrealistic, as it delays action and gives David time to regroup. Absalom and his men, swayed by Hushai’s flattery and grand vision, choose his plan over Ahithophel’s, fulfilling David’s prayer for God to frustrate Ahithophel’s counsel (2 Samuel 17:14). Meanwhile, Hushai sends word to David through spies, warning him to flee across the Jordan to avoid capture (2 Samuel 17:15-22). David escapes, and Ahithophel, realizing his advice was rejected and foreseeing Absalom’s failure, returns home, puts his affairs in order, and takes his own life in despair (2 Samuel 17:23). This reflects the destructive spirit of Ahithophel—when his counsel is not heeded, he reacts with rage and self-destruction, contrasting with the grace and patience that should accompany godly counsel.

Absalom proceeds with Hushai’s plan, setting the stage for his eventual defeat, while David continues his leadership as king. This shows us as children of God the importance of discernment in accepting advice, as cautioned in Romans 12:3, which urges sober judgment and humility rather than thinking highly of oneself. Both Ahithophel’s and Hushai’s plans, though strategic, were flawed; Ahithophel’s, for its ruthless focus on killing David, and Hushai’s, for its impractical scale.

The “spirit of Ahithophel” persists today in those who offer self-serving advice and react destructively when ignored, highlighting the need to weigh counsel carefully against God’s word. God’s sovereignty in frustrating human plans and the consequences of prideful, destructive counsel. David’s reliance on prayer and discernment preserves his life and leadership, while Ahithophel’s failure to accept rejection leads to his downfall. I pray that we will seek wisdom humbly, test advice against God’s truth, and respond with grace, even when our counsel is not taken.

Child of God, my question for you today is:

How do you discern whether the advice you receive aligns with God’s will?

And have you encountered a “spirit of Ahithophel” in someone whose advice was rejected, and how did they respond?

Tell me in what way can you cultivate humility and patience when offering or receiving counsel?

And finally, in what ways can we rely on prayer, like David, to seek God’s guidance in challenging situations?