COUNSELORS. 2nd Samuel 17 The Jordan River is not big, but it was a barrier between Israel and its enemies. Even though two and a half tribes of Israel were on the east side of the river, it seems like the “real” Israel was on the west side. After David and those with him crossed the river, they went forty miles north to Mahanaim, where Jacob, many generations earlier, saw an army of angels God had provided to protect him.
While all this was happening and Absalom was getting his army together, Ahithophel went to Giloh, his hometown, and committed suicide. He was sure the rebellion would fail because his advice was not followed, and he would be guilty of treason for conspiring against the legitimate king. He took his own life rather than die as a traitor. Ahithophel was determined that David must die quickly and wanted an army of 12,000 to separate David from his men and only kill David. He believed all the others who followed David would come and follow Absalom.
He may have known how to scheme and plan but did not know how to discern or judge people. Ahithophel knew what David was like, but he didn't know what Absalom was like, nor did he admit to the treachery of his own heart. Perhaps his plan would have succeeded, but David had prayed that God would turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness, and God answered that prayer. Ahithophel knew David would return as king if his counsel weren't followed. So, he hanged himself. Psalm 55 gives David's thoughts about Ahithophel, similar to the Lord's thoughts about Judas Iscariot. To be betrayed by a friend is devastating to a trusting heart.
Not every psychologist or counselor gives good advice. A bitter spirit affects many people and must be dealt with personally as soon as possible when we find it rising up in us. A wise person knows their limitations and can discern between wise and right and vindictive. It takes time to know people personally, not just by reputation. That is time well spent when we are involved in leading people or giving counsel. Hasty counsel often leads to hasty decisions and hasty failure. We should never take anything for granted regarding our service to the Lord. Opposition may come, but it is even under divine control.
People who are excessively sure of themselves measure others by their own standards and find it hard to accept anyone else’s contribution to a matter. It is true that justice will prevail, but it is also true that grace is greater than all our sins. Those who know God know that He is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish. He wants them to come to the knowledge of the truth. There is no hope for salvation when there is an awareness of guilt but no repentance for sins committed and no willingness to call upon the name of the Lord for mercy.
On the other hand, Hushai was David's friend, and he knew David well. He wanted David to have enough time to get far enough away to prepare for a battle that was bound to come. That battle would determine the leadership of the nation. His suggested plan was to overwhelm David and his followers with numbers, which would seem wise to people who do not consider God. All of Israel knew David and those who followed him to be mighty warriors who were not easily intimidated by opposing armies. More than that, Hushai knew God was involved in the whole matter of this evil rebellion. The two priests, the woman who took the message to two messengers, and even the fact that they were hidden in a well for a time all point to divine intervention on behalf of David.
Absalom's ambition and self-centeredness overpowered his common sense and understanding of the situation in which he was found. When Absalom and his army were under the leadership of Amasa, one of David's nephews, both Absalom and Amasa may not have realized that some still acknowledged David as king. Flattery is a tried and proven method of deception that he uses without understanding what can be used against you. Some people still supported David and supplied him with food, shelter, beds, and the needed utensils to keep an army of men ready to battle.
Vanity and self-exaltation will inevitably bring about a fall. "Pride goes before a fall." People take advantage of those who believe they are superior to others. To think oneself to be great is not to face the fact that "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." When we are willing to follow the Lord even though others choose to go a different way, we find there are others also who want to follow Him and are willing to do what is necessary to maintain the order of the kingdom of God biblically. Not all counsel given will be popular with the Lord's people, but we are responsible for listening to and acting upon biblical counsel given by spiritual believers in Christ.
Ahithophel and Hushai were each leaders of men who wanted their own plans to be followed. Opinions differed among them on how God’s chosen king could be defeated so that the usurper could rise and claim leadership of the nation. Egoists all have opinions as to what is best in any given situation. Each will insist that all others are wrong; only his plan can succeed. Scrap all the others you have planned; he thinks his plan is the only one you need.
It has happened to better men than me, and failure was the final result. I can learn from their mistakes; if my plan loses, then it’s really my fault. I need to learn that I should take God's counsel and wait until the solution is plain and according to His divine will. If my plan comes to nothing, I can still begin again. But if I “up the bottom” and force the matter to a conclusion, I am in danger of opposing God.
The egoist insists he is right, and maybe he is, but when his opinion is rejected, he does not need to fall flat. When there are differences of opinion, stop being self-centered; there may be a lesser plan you can alter to suit the need differently. Others may see your wisdom when their plans begin to falter. Just consider that we are not perfect; others have opinions, too. The result is what counts, not just to whom credit is due.
When you know failure cannot be avoided, try to salvage what you can when the issue is concluded. Don’t gloat over the egoist’s downfall and lay blame on them. Retain your integrity and respect; preserve the value of your name. Some battles are lost in a war, and some are won. The insistent egoist has lost credibility when the matter is finally done. You must maintain your integrity, even in a hopeless cause. Instead of pressing ahead in pride, quietly stay in your place. During years of living, we often have to step back and watch God powerfully accomplish what we lack because of our weaknesses. Then God will get all the glory; neither the egoist nor any other will claim the key to the solution, which belongs only to our Father.
When David got to Mahanaim, three men showed a real understanding of what was needed, and they supplied them with beds to rest on, food to eat, and pots to cook the food in. Shobi may have been the brother of Hanun, who treated David’s men badly when they took a message of sympathy to him after his father's death. Machir kept Mephibosheth in his home until David brought him to Jerusalem. Barzillai was a wealthy older man who supplied David with food while he was at Mahanaim.
God is not unknown in what we do for others when they are in difficult circumstances. “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, My brethren, you have done it unto Me.” When God’s people are willing to give what they can to help others, that can be used by God to bless others when it is done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. For some people, it would be a great relief. Others will be reminded that God knows what is needed even though the one who gives may not know. Still, others will be convicted because they realize they do not deserve what God has provided, and perhaps they will begin to do the same for other people.
Strife in one family may cause division in another family. Joab and Amasa were David's nephews: Joab followed David when he left Jerusalem, and Amasa went with Absalom. Joab was the commander of those who followed David, and Amasa was the commander of Absalom’s forces.
If we are ever in a situation where division and conflict seem the only way to solve a problem, be wise and do not act hastily. Wait, watch, weigh up the consequences, and pray for God’s guidance. When the “peace of God” rules in your heart, to which you are called in one body, we can be thankful that God has given His answer. We can have joy in difficult times when we don’t know the outcome of a divisive matter.