2 Samuel 17

2 Samuel 17

Utley summarizes - Here is what he hopes will happen. come upon him while he is weary and exhausted he will be terrified and his supporters will flee Ahithophel will personally kill David all David's supporters will return to Absalom all Israelites will then seek peace (i.e., no civil war) 2 Samuel 17:4 So the plan pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel. So the plan: 1Sa 18:20,21 23:21 Es 5:14 Ro 1:32 pleased Absalom: Heb. was right in the eyes of Absalom, 2Ch 30:4 Es 1:21 2 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABSALOM PLEASED WITH AHITHOPHEL'S PLAN So the plan pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel - NET - "This seemed like a good idea to Absalom and to all the leaders of Israel." Why might a military plan from a counselor please Absalom and the elders? Remember the immediately preceding context that stated "the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one inquired of the word of God; so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom." (2Sa 16:23). Not to mention that his "concubine plan" had been a major hit! (2Sa 16:21-22). Rod Mattoon - Absalom finds himself facing conflicting counsel. He must make a choice on what to do. You and I are faced with the same dilemma almost everyday. We face a struggle, a clash from conflicting counsel. Your friends may say one thing, and your parents may say another. Hollywood tells us one way to live and the Bible tells us God’s way. The Government says this is right, and this is wrong. It tells us that what the Bible and the Church says is right is actually wrong, and what is wrong is OK to do. The Government says it Ok to be immoral, abort a baby, live a homosexual life and it is wrong to pray in our schools. As the old TV commercial put it, “What is a mother to do?” Our kids are asking, “Who do I believe?” The answer is you believe the Word of God for God’s Word is the TRUTH! The Bible will provide you with security, direction, and peace when faced with the clash of conflicting counsel. (Treasures from 2 Samuel) 2 Samuel 17:5 Then Absalom said, "Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say." Hushai: 2Sa 15:32-37 16:16-19 2 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABSALOM CALLS FOR HUSHAI'S COUNSEL Then Absalom said, "Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say (Heb “what is in his mouth”) - Now enter David's secret agent Hushai! Given the fact that Ahithophel's plan received unanimous support, one has to wonder why call in another counselor (who has no obvious track record of success with Absalom like Ahithophel has!) This is clearly an answer to the prayer in 2Sa 15:31+ where David prayed "O LORD, I pray, make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness." Now, truth be told, I thought Ahithophel's somewhat egocentric plan was a bit foolish, but it was accepted by fools. Now God moves in Absalom's heart (Pr 21:1) to call Hushai and this allows David's secret agent to wax eloquent. QUESTION - Who was Hushai in the Bible? ANSWER - Hushai first appears in the Bible in 2 Samuel 15:32 as part of the story of Absalom’s coup and David’s departure from Jerusalem. Absalom, David’s son, had started a rebellion against his father and “stole the hearts of the people of Israel” (2 Samuel 15:6). David and his officials in Jerusalem fled the city for fear of their lives (2 Samuel 15:14). They climbed the Mount of Olives, “weeping as they went” (verse 30). Then, “when David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head” (verse 32). The tearing of one’s robe was an ancient way of showing mourning, grief, and loss. The dust on Hushai’s head added to the expression of grief. It was a day of tragedy, and Hushai mourned on behalf of his king and his nation. Hushai is described as “the king’s friend” in 1 Chronicles 27:33ESV). When Hushai met David on Mt. Olivet, the king had an idea. David told Hushai to return to Jerusalem and to work against Absalom on David’s behalf. David gave Hushai the words to 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” (2 Samuel 15:34). If Hushai could ingratiate himself, then he could sabotage Absalom’s plans. The ploy to use Hushai as a secret agent was necessary because Ahithophel, one of David’s respected counselors, had defected and joined forces with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:31). Ahithophel had double-crossed his king and was giving David’s son advice on how to defeat David. When David heard this news, he prayed that God would “turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness” (verse 31). Hushai was the instrument of God through which that prayer would be answered. Hushai obeyed David’s order and returned to Jerusalem, arriving there just as Absalom was entering the city (2 Samuel 15:37). Unbeknownst to Absalom, other men loyal to David were also in the city: the priests Zadok and Abiathar were there to act as spies, and the priests’ sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, would relay the intel the priests gathered to David (2 Samuel 15:35–36). When Hushai met Absalom in the capital city, Hushai greeted him with “Long live the king! Long live the king!” (2 Samuel 16:16). Absalom was suspicious at first: “This is the love you show your friend [David]? If he’s your friend, why didn’t you go with him?” he asked (verse 17). Hushai responded by pouring on the praise, calling Absalom “the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel” (verse 18). Then he told Absalom what David had instructed him to say: “Just as I served your father, so I will serve you” (verse 19). Absalom was satisfied that Hushai meant what he said. Later, as Absalom was considering the best strategy to defeat his father, he asked the advice of both Ahithophel and Hushai. Ahithophel said, “Choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 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 and bring all the people back to you” (2 Samuel 17:1–3). This was actually a sound strategy, but then Hushai was given a chance to thwart the plan. Hushai presented a different strategy meant to frustrate the wisdom of Ahithophel (see 2 Samuel 15:34). Hushai said that Absalom needed a bigger force to deal with David and his desperate men. Also, Absalom should not focus on killing David but on wiping out David’s entire army: “Let all Israel . . . be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. Then we will attack him wherever he may be found. . . . Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive” (2 Samuel 17:11–12). Hushai also reminded Absalom that David was well acquainted with the lay of the land and that he was an expert in avoiding capture. If Absalom were to come at him, per Ahithophel’s counsel, David would escape. That would place David in a position to strike first, causing Absalom’s men to lose heart (2 Samuel 17:7–10). After hearing both plans, Absalom and his advisors believed that Hushai’s counsel was better than Ahithophel’s (2 Samuel 17:14). Hushai’s advice certainly was better—better for David! Hushai’s advice was meant to cause Absalom to delay deploying his army. That delay would provide David the opportunity to strategize and prepare. God was in all of this. Absalom chose the advice of Hushai because “the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom” (verse 14). Ahithophel did not take rejection well. “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” (2 Samuel 17:23). Meanwhile, Hushai sent word of the battle plan to David through the priestly spies. Hushai’s advice to David was, “Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail” (2 Samuel 17:16). The battle between the forces of David and Absalom took place “in the forest of Ephraim” (2 Samuel 18:6). The forces of Absalom were routed, and the battle “spread out over the whole countryside” (2Sa 18:8). Absalom himself was killed by Joab, one of David’s commanders (2 Samuel 18:14). The coup was ended. Through Hushai, God answered David’s prayer and preserved David’s throne. Absalom made his choices, but God was sovereign all the while. “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9NLT).GotQuestions.org 2 Samuel 17:6 When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom said to him, "Ahithophel has spoken thus. Shall we carry out his plan? If not, you speak." His plan: Heb. word, 2Sa 17:6 2 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABSALOM GIVES HUSHAI OPTION TO REFUTE AHITHOPHEL'S PLAN When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom said to him, "Ahithophel has spoken thus. Shall we carry out his plan? If not, you speak - Absalom apparently gives Hushai "carte blanche" (complete freedom to act as one wishes or thinks best) to cancel the plan they have already accepted! 2 Samuel 17:7 So Hushai said to Absalom, "This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good." not good: Pr 31:8 2 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HUSHAI REBUFFS AHITHOPHEL'S PLAN So Hushai said to Absalom, "This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good (sound) - This time is like an acknowledgement that Ahithophel's advice was usually good. In other words it is a clever use of words as Hushai is not saying Ahithophel never gives good advice. The implication is perhaps there is a better idea. It is just this time that his plan is not good and he has made a mistake. Utley - The heart of Hushai's advice is "delay" because David is a fierce military man and his warriors are valiant men. Wait until you can gather all Israelite conscripts and attack in force. You personally must lead the force (2Sa 17:11). This advice was from YHWH (2Sa 17:14). 2 Samuel 17:8 Moreover, Hushai said, "You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men and they are fierce, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is an expert in warfare, and will not spend the night with the people. NET - Hushai went on to say, “You know your father and his men—they are soldiers and are as dangerous as a bear out in the wild that has been robbed of her cubs. Your father is an experienced soldier; he will not stay overnight with the army. mighty men: 2Sa 15:18 21:18-22 23:8,9,16,18,20-22 1Sa 16:18 17:34-36,50 1Ch 11:25-47 Heb 11:32-34 like a bear robbed: 2Ki 2:24 Pr 17:12 28:15 Da 7:5 Ho 13:8 your father is an expert: 1Sa 23:23 2 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HUSHAI'S LOGIC IS HISTORICALLY SOUND Moreover - Hushai continues, apparently without questions or interruption, to explain why Ahithophel's counsel is not sound. Hushai said, "You know your father and his men, that they are mighty (gibbor; Lxx - dunatos - powerful) men and they are fierce, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field - Note his reasons refuting Ahithophel's counsel (1) Mighty Men—David’s warriors were strong men (2) Mad Men—These men would be angry like a bear robbed of her cubs. Hushai presents a great word picture of a mad mother bear (bears were still in the forests in these days), and this would make even stout warriors take note of the ferocity of David's mighty men. Utley - they are fierce, like a bear robbed of her cubs (lit. "bitter of soul" for being run out of their homes in Jerusalem) And your father is an expert in warfare (lit "man of war"), and will not spend the night with the people - Hushai's third and fourth reasons focus on David himself (and they are interrelated), reminding them of David's military expertise (he might be old but he is still very experienced and knows how to fight) and the fact that he might not even be present if they tried a surprise attack. Surely the tales of David's ability to hide from Saul would have been well-known, so this is a very believable reason to not attack him. 2 Samuel 17:9 "Behold, he has now hidden himself in one of the caves or in another place; and it will be when he falls on them at the first attack, that whoever hears it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.' NET 2 Samuel 17:9 At this very moment he is hiding out in one of the caves or in some other similar place. If it should turn out that he attacks our troops first, whoever hears about it will say, 'Absalom's army has been slaughtered!' CSB 2 Samuel 17:9 He's probably already hiding in one of the caves or some other place. If some of our troops fall first, someone is sure to hear and say, 'There's been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.' ESV 2 Samuel 17:9 Behold, even now he has hidden himself in one of the pits or in some other place. And as soon as some of the people fall at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.' NIV 2 Samuel 17:9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.' NLT 2 Samuel 17:9 He has probably already hidden in some pit or cave. And when he comes out and attacks and a few of your men fall, there will be panic among your troops, and the word will spread that Absalom's men are being slaughtered. NRS 2 Samuel 17:9 Even now he has hidden himself in one of the pits, or in some other place. And when some of our troops fall at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.' NJB 2 Samuel 17:9 At this moment he is concealed in some hollow or other place. If at the outset there are casualties among our troops, word will go round that the army supporting Absalom has met with disaster. he has now hidden himself : Jdg 20:33 1Sa 22:1 1Sa 24:3 or in another place: Jos 7:5 8:6 Jud 20:32 1Sa 14:14,15, over thrown, Heb. fallen 2 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Samuel 22:1 So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him. 1 Samuel 23:22 Go now, make more sure, and investigate and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning. 1 Samuel 24:3 He came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave. DAVID IS WELL HIDDEN & HIS ATTACK WILL CAUSE PANIC Behold, he has now hidden himself in one of the caves or in another place - Hushai is saying that David is already well hidden in a cave or a pit and who would argue that David was a master at hiding (1Sa 23:22+) for he had 10 years of practice evading the evil eye of Saul! You can almost see the audience (except for Ahithophel) nodding in agreement as the stories of David's fugitive days would have been well known to all. and it will be when he falls on them at the first attack, that whoever hears it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom - Hebrew = “that he falls on them [i.e., Absalom’s troops] at the first [encounter]; or “that some of them [i.e., Absalom’s troops] fall at the first [encounter].” Hushai uses a bit of a "fear tactic" here saying that if David attacks their troops first (imply surprise or ambush, etc), this would cause a panic and discourage the soldiers who would begin to shout that Absalom's men are being overwhelmed. So far, Hushai's logic seems reasonable. 2 Samuel 17:10 "And even the one who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will completely lose heart; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man and those who are with him are valiant men. BGT 2 Samuel 17:10 καί γε αὐτὸς υἱὸς δυνάμεως οὗ ἡ καρδία καθὼς ἡ καρδία τοῦ λέοντος τηκομένη τακήσεται ὅτι οἶδεν πᾶς Ισραηλ ὅτι δυνατὸς ὁ πατήρ σου καὶ υἱοὶ δυνάμεως οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ LXE 2 Samuel 17:10 Then even he that is strong, whose heart is as the heart of a lion,-- it shall utterly melt: for all Israel knows that thy father is mighty, and they that are with him are mighty men. KJV 2 Samuel 17:10 And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. NET 2 Samuel 17:10 If that happens even the bravest soldier– one who is lion-hearted– will virtually melt away. For all Israel knows that your father is a warrior and that those who are with him are brave. CSB 2 Samuel 17:10 Then, even a brave man with the heart of a lion will melt because all Israel knows that your father and the valiant men with him are warriors. ESV 2 Samuel 17:10 Then even the valiant man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that those who are with him are valiant men. NIV 2 Samuel 17:10 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. NLT 2 Samuel 17:10 Then even the bravest soldiers, though they have the heart of a lion, will be paralyzed with fear. For all Israel knows what a mighty warrior your father is and how courageous his men are. NRS 2 Samuel 17:10 Then even the valiant warrior, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly melt with fear; for all Israel knows that your father is a warrior, and that those who are with him are valiant warriors. NJB 2 Samuel 17:10 And then even the valiant, the truly lion-hearted, will be demoralised; for all Israel knows that your father is a champion and that the men with him are valiant. heart: 2Sa 1:23 23:20 Ge 49:9 Nu 24:8,9 Pr 28:1 completely lose heart: Ex 15:15 Dt 1:28 Jos 2:9-11 Isa 13:7 19:1 your father is a mighty man: 1Sa 18:17 Heb 11:34 those who are with him: Song 3:7 2 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FEAR WILL SET IN & CHECKMATE ABSALOM'S MEN And even the one who is valiant (bravest), whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will completely lose heart; for (term of explanation) all Israel knows that your father is a mighty (gibbor; Lxx - dunatos - powerful) man and those who are with him are valiant (courageous, brave) men - NLT = "Then even the bravest soldiers, though they have the heart of a lion, will be paralyzed with fear." Hushai emphasizes that even Absalom's best soldiers will lose their courage in the face of David and his men's military prowess. In short, David's valiant men will effectively "checkmate" and trump Absalom's valiant men. Checkmate is any game position in chess and other chess-like games in which a player's king is in check (threatened with capture) and there is no possible escape. Checkmating the opponent wins the game. 2 Samuel 17:11 "But I counsel that all Israel be surely gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea in abundance, and that you personally go into battle. all Israel: 2Sa 24:2 Jud 20:1 as the sand: Ge 13:16 22:17 Jos 11:4 1Ki 4:20 20:10 that you personally go into battle: 2Sa 12:28 Ps 7:15,16 9:16 2 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HUSHAI'S ALTERNATIVE BATTLE PLAN But - Term of contrast, marks a change of direction from pondering the reasons not to attack David like Ahithophel suggested to consideration of Hushai's plan. I counsel - This is my advice or what I suggest (as the alternative plan). That all Israel be surely gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba (idiom for all the promised land), as the sand that is by the sea in abundance (numberless), and that you personally go into battle - Ahithophel called for 12,000, but Hushai calls for Absalom to mobilize the entire army of Israel, from north to south, Dan being in the north and Beersheba in the south (Dan to Beersheba - Jdg. 20:1; 1Sa 3:20; 2Sa. 3:10; 2Sa 24:2,15). He is appealing to Absalom's pride to gather a massive force. By doing this he would assemble an army that would vastly outnumber David's forces. As the sand that is by the sea is imagery is often used of military forces (Josh. 11:4; Jdg. 7:12; 1Sa 13:5, Rev 20:8) but also for anything great numerically (Ge 22:17, Ge 32:12, Ge 41:49, 1Ki 4:20, 29, Ps 78:27, Jer 15:8, 33:22, Hos 1:10, Ro 9:27, Heb 11:12) Gathering all these troops would take time, exactly the goal that Hushai hoped his counsel would accomplish! and that you personally go into battle - Finally he exhorts Absalom himself to lead this mighty juggernaut into battle. Recall that in Ahithophel’s plan, Ahithophel led the battle but in Hushai’s plan, Absalom led the battle.This would appeal to Absalom's pride, but would also expose him to danger, the very thing David's men counseled David not to do! In fact Absalom leading would lead to loss of his life! Walton - Carrying out the role of double agent assigned him by David (2Sa 15:32-36), Hushai argues against Ahithophel’s immediate strike against David. He suggests a militarily sound strategy of consolidating Absalom’s control over the capital and the nation before moving in great force against the deposed king. He also raises the specter of a possible defeat early in Absalom’s rule that could raise questions about his fitness and restore David’s chances of return. He skillfully manipulates Absalom’s pride as he paints the grand picture of the new king riding at the head of an endless sea of soldiers ready to overwhelm any meager opposition. Procrastination and additional time for strategic planning are accepted as wisdom here despite the advantages inherent to Ahithophel’s strategy (see Amasa’s fate when he failed to respond to Sheba’s revolt with dispatch in 2 Sam 20:4-13). (See page 346 IVP Bible Background Commentary) 2 Samuel 17:12 "So we shall come to him in one of the places where he can be found, and we will fall on him as the dew falls on the ground; and of him and of all the men who are with him, not even one will be left. So we shall come to him in one of the places: 1Sa 23:23 we will fall on him as the dew falls: 1Ki 20:10 2Ki 18:23 19:24 Isa 10:13,14 Ob 1:3 2 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HUSHAI POETICALLY PAINTS THE VICTORY PICTURE So we shall come to him in one of the places where he can be found - Hushai assures Absalom they will find David, but does not mention that Saul was unable to accomplish this feat successfully though he looked for him for almost 10 years. And even one time when he found him, God stepped in to save David (cf 1Sa 23:25-26, 27, 28+). One wonders if this objection entered the minds of any of the counselors who were listening along with Absalom? and we will fall on him as the dew falls on the ground - This comparison with dew is striking for everyone knew that the dew in Palestine falls fast, sudden, and heavy; and falls upon every spot of earth, so that not a blade of grass escapes it. It is therefore an apropos symbol of a large army as Hushai says Absalom would have if he assembled troops from all Israel. and of him and of all the men who are with him, not even one will be left - Hushai pictures the resulting battle would be a complete annihilation of David's army. 2 Samuel 17:13 "If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it into the valley until not even a small stone is found there." one small: Mt 24:2 2 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HUSHAI'S GLOWING BACKUP PLAN If he withdraws into a city - Hushai counters any arguments that raise the possibility David might retreat to a fortified city. Then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it into the valley until not even a small stone is found there - This is a very optimistic plan to simply pull down the walls of the city with ropes. Again Hushai emphasizes victory would be so complete that not even a pebble or small stone would remain in the city. Surely this would appeal to Absalom's imagination! Walton - drag the city down with ropes. One of the strategies employed in siege warfare was the use of scaling ladders. It is possible that grappling hooks, attached to ropes, may also have been used for this purpose. These could be climbed as attackers swarmed over the walls or used to dislodge stones from the walls and make them more vulnerable to battering rams. Depictions of sieges in Assyrian palaces include the demolition of walls using picks, but hooks and ropes may also have been used by attackers. (See page 345 IVP Bible Background Commentary) 2 Samuel 17:14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel." For the LORD had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring calamity on Absalom. the Lord: 2Sa 15:31 Ge 32:28 Ex 9:16 De 2:30 2Ch 25:16,20 ordained: Heb. commanded, Ps 33:9,10 La 3:37 Am 9:3 to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel: 2Sa 15:34 2Sa 16:23 Job 5:12-14 Pr 19:21 21:30 Isa 8:10 1Co 1:19,20 1Co 3:19 good counsel: Lu 16:8 2 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 2 Samuel 15:31, 34+ Now someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, I pray, make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness.”....34 (DAVID'S ADVICE TO HUSHAI) “But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in time past, so I will now be your servant,’ then you can thwart (parar) the counsel of Ahithophel for me. HUSHAI SPOKE BUT GOD WAS IN CONTROL Then - Marks progression in the narrative, in this case actually marking the conclusion of what will be the final plan, Ahithophel's or Hushai's? Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel." - Absalom does an "about face," for in verse 4 Ahithophel's plan pleased Absalom and all the elders. Theoretically there should have been no need for an alternative plan, but as alluded to earlier (and worth reiterating) God was in full control for "The king's (Absalom's) heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes." (Pr 21:1). Thus Absalom "just happened" to call for another option, an option from David's secret agent Hushai who was inside the citadel and whose word was now unanimously accepted! THOUGHT - God may appear to be behind the scenes of your life and mine, but He is always (mysteriously, supernaturally) controlling the scenes He is behind! This immutable truth should either comfort the afflicted or afflict the comfortable! G Campbell