2 Samuel 15

2 Samuel 15

Morgan - Borrow Life applications from every chapter of the Bible And David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up.-2 Sam. 15.30. These were days of poignant sorrow to David. He had brought Absalom back, but had not given him full pardon, and had not allowed him to see his face for two years. Then he had re-admitted him to favour, without any sign of repentance on the part of Absalom. Now at last open rebellion had broken out, and David for the moment was exiled from his city, and fibril his home. It is indeed a tragic picture, this, of David, Yet in it all, his greatness is manifested. Stanley says of this day in the life of the king that "There is none that combines so many of David's characteristics—his patience. his high-spirited religion, his generosity, his calculation; we miss only his courage. Was it crushed for the moment by the weight of mental grief, or of bitter remorse?" In the light of all the facts it is almost certain that the tears David shed as he climbed Olivet, were rather those of humiliation and penitence, than those of self-centred regrets For Absalom there was no excuse, but David carried in his own heart ceaselessly the sense of his own past sin. To know more of what was passing in the mind of David in those days, some of the Psalms he then wrote may be consulted. Those which are by common consent connected with the period, are Ps 3, Ps 4, Ps 26, Ps 27, Ps 28, Ps 62, Ps 63. They all breathe the spirit of perfect trust in God, and unbroken confidence in ultimate deliverance, even though they reveal the sense of his suffering. The soul-experience revealed is that which Fred. W. H. Myers expressed in his St. Paul: Yes, Thou forgivest,- but with all forgiving Canst not renew mine innocence again; Make Thou, O Christ, a dying of my living, Purge from the sin, but never from the pain! 2 Samuel 15:31 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." BGT 2 Samuel 15:31 καὶ ἀνηγγέλη Δαυιδ λέγοντες καὶ Αχιτοφελ ἐν τοῖς συστρεφομένοις μετὰ Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ διασκέδασον δὴ τὴν βουλὴν Αχιτοφελ κύριε ὁ θεός μου LXE 2 Samuel 15:31 And it was reported to David, saying, Achitophel also is among the conspirators with Abessalom. And David said, O Lord my God, disconcert, I pray thee, the counsel of Achitophel. KJV 2 Samuel 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. NET 2 Samuel 15:31 Now David had been told, "Ahithophel has sided with the conspirators who are with Absalom. So David prayed, "Make the advice of Ahithophel foolish, O LORD!" CSB 2 Samuel 15:31 Then someone reported to David: "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." "LORD," David pleaded, "please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!" ESV 2 Samuel 15:31 And it was told David, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." And David said, "O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." NIV 2 Samuel 15:31 Now David had been told, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." So David prayed, "O LORD, turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness." NLT 2 Samuel 15:31 When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, "O LORD, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!" NRS 2 Samuel 15:31 David was told that Ahithophel was among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, "O LORD, I pray you, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." NJB 2 Samuel 15:31 David was then informed that Ahithophel was among the conspirators with Absalom. David said, 'I beg you, Yahweh, turn Ahithophel's advice to folly.' NAB 2 Samuel 15:31 When David was informed that Ahithophel was among the conspirators with Absalom, he said, "O LORD, turn the counsel of Ahithophel to folly!" YLT 2 Samuel 15:31 and David declared, saying, 'Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom;' and David saith, 'Make foolish, I pray Thee, the counsel of Ahithophel, O Jehovah.' GWN 2 Samuel 15:31 Then David was told, "Ahithophel is among those conspiring with Absalom." So David prayed, "LORD, make Ahithophel's advice foolish." BBE 2 Samuel 15:31 And word came to David, saying, Ahithophel is among those who are joined to Absalom. And David said, O Lord, let the wisdom of Ahithophel be made foolish. Ahithophel: 2Sa 15:12 Ps 3:1 41:9 55:12,14 Mt 26:14,15 Joh 13:18 O Lord: Ps 55:15 109:3 make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness: 2Sa 16:23 2Sa 17:14,23 Job 5:12 12:16-20 Isa 19:3,11-25 Jer 8:8,9 1Co 1:20 3:18-20 Jas 3:15 2 Samuel 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries AHITHOPHEL DEFECTS DAVID PRAYS AGAINST HIM Now someone told David, saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." - This is a message brought by the sons of Zadok and Abiathar to tell David to continue his flight to safety (2Sa 15:28-29; 2Sa 17:17) This trusted advisor's defection would have been a devastating blow to David, for Ahithophel had been his close counselor and now he would give wisdom to Absalom! Gulston points out, “It was on the slopes of the Mount of Olives, just after he had crossed the Kidron Brook, that David learned of Ahithophel’s treachery. Here, many years later, Judas was to betray Jesus.” (Borrow David - Shepherd and King) And David said, "O LORD, I pray, make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness - God answered David's prayer thwarting Ahthophel's counsel in 2 Samuel 17:14+ recording that "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." One might also say that David's prayer was answered with Ahithophel's suicide as recorded in 2 Samuel 17:23+ Now when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and arose and went to his home, to his city, and set his house in order, and strangled himself; thus he died and was buried in the grave of his father. (See SPECIAL TOPIC: SUICIDE) QUESTION: Who was Ahithophel in the Bible? ANSWER: Ahithophel was originally the counselor of King David, but he later betrayed David, aiding Absalom in his rebellion to overthrow David’s kingship. Ahithophel was well-known for his advice, so much so that “Absalom followed Ahithophel’s advice, just as David had done. For every word Ahithophel spoke seemed as wise as though it had come directly from the mouth of God” (2 Samuel 16:23, NLT). Ahithophel had the gift of wisdom. After Absalom captured Jerusalem, Ahithophel’s first piece of advice to him was that he sleep with all his father’s concubines—in a public manner—so as to become a “stench in your father’s nostrils,” and to strengthen his following (2 Samuel 16:21–22). In those days, taking possession of a king’s concubines was a declaration of one’s right to the throne. This fulfilled God’s word to David after his adultery with Bathsheba: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel’” (2 Samuel 12:11–12). Absalom followed the advice of Ahithophel and performed this wicked act on the top of the palace roof for all Israel to see (2 Samuel 16:22). When Absalom began his rebellion, King David knew that Ahithophel’s advice would be dangerous in the hands of his son. During his escape up the Mount of Olives, David prayed to the Lord that Ahithophel’s counsel would be turned into foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31). In answer to David’s prayer, when David reached the summit of the Mount of Olives, he met Hushai the Arkite. David sent Hushai back to Absalom in Jerusalem as a secret agent to frustrate the advice of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:32–37). In Jerusalem Hushai pledged his loyalty to Absalom but began to give advice to work to David’s benefit (2 Samuel 17:14). Absalom asked his counsellors what next step he should take. Ahithophel said to pursue David immediately with an army of twelve thousand men and “attack him while he is weary and weak” (2 Samuel 17:1). Hushai, however, counselled Absalom to delay the attack, form a larger force, and totally annihilate David and his men (verses 7–13). Absalom chose to follow the advice of Hushai and reject Ahithophel’s counsel. This was of God, since “the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom” (verse 14). When Absalom rejected his advice, Ahithophel’s pride was injured, and “he put his house in order and then hanged himself” (2 Samuel 17:23). In following Hushai’s advice, Absalom was defeated and received the punishment due his rebellion (2 Samuel 18:6–15). Because of Ahithophel’s betrayal of David, many scholars see him as a type of Judas Iscariot. Just as David’s counselor betrayed him, so also did Jesus’ disciple Judas betray Him. Similarities between Ahithophel and Judas include the following: • they both were trusted friends who betrayed their friend (2 Samuel 15:31; Matthew 26:14–16). • they both sided with the enemy to plot their king’s death (2 Samuel 17:1–4; Luke 22:2–6). • they both hanged themselves once the betrayal was complete (2 Samuel 17:23; Matthew 27:5). In Psalm 41:9 David laments, “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” This is, most immediately, a reference to the treachery of Ahithophel. But it is also a prophetic reference to Judas, as Jesus points out in John 13:18, where He quotes Psalm 41:9. Like Judas, Ahithophel will forever be remembered as a traitor. GotQuestions.org QUESTION -What does the Bible say about backstabbing? ANSWER - Backstabbing is a betrayal, often verbal, by one posing as a friend. The word is self-explanatory, creating an image of a person who is pleasant to your face but, when your back is turned, stabs you. Backstabbing is cowardly. It lacks the courage of honest confrontation and resorts to slander or passive-aggressive revenge without revealing its motives. Psalm 55 is David’s cry of anguish due to a backstabbing friend. He had enemies enough, but this betrayal hurt the most because it was done by someone he had been close to: “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship” (Psalm 55:12–13). Many scholars believe David is referring to Ahithophel, David’s counselor who turned traitor and joined Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15:31; 16:23; 17:23). Whomever David means, the man betrayed him, lied about him, and deserted him when David needed him. Backstabbers do not walk in love as God commands us to walk (Ephesians 5:2; 2 John 1:6). They look out only for themselves (Philippians 2:4). Backstabbing is hypocrisy in action because the backstabber pretends loyalty to a person while secretly destroying him or his reputation. Backstabbing goes hand-in-hand with slander, gossip, and discord—all of which are condemned in Scripture (Colossians 3:8; 1 Peter 2:1; Romans 1:29; Proverbs 17:4; 2 Corinthians 12:20). The Bible condemns backstabbing and all it entails. Proverbs 10:18 says, “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.” Backstabbers are fools because they are rejecting honesty, love, reconciliation, and kindness. They are defying Jesus’ Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). Those with a tendency to backstab others need to closely evaluate their motives and attitudes in light of Scripture’s commands. We cannot earn the trust of other people or fully speak into their lives when we are known for backstabbing. Got Questions 2 Samuel 15:32 It happened as David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, that behold, Hushai the Archite met him with his coat torn and dust on his head. as David was coming to the summit: 2Sa 15:30 1Ki 11:7 Lu 19:29 worshipped: 1Ki 8:44,45 Job 1:20,21 Ps 3:3-5,7 4:1-3 50:15 91:15 Hushai: 2Sa 16:16-19 Archite: Jos 16:2 coat rent: 2Sa 1:2 13:19 2 Samuel 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: 1 Kings 11:7 (THIS IS AN AMAZING AND TRAGIC VERSE) Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem (MOUNT OF OLIVES), and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon. DAVID ON MT OLIVET MEETS HUSHAI It happened as David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped - NLT - "As they reached the spot at the top of the Mount of Olives where people worshiped God, David found Hushai the Arkite waiting for him." The summit, where God was worshiped refers to a local high place on the Mount of Olives and thus appears to be orthodox, in contrast to the worship on Mt Olivet in Solomon's morally declining days (1Ki 11:7 above). That behold, Hushai the Archite met him with his coat torn and dust on his head Gehrke comments that “The Lord responds almost immediately to David’s prayer (in 2Sa 15:31) by sending another helper, Hushai, an elderly court official with the title “The King’s Friend” (1Ch 27:33). David urges him to return to thwart the sagacity of Ahithophel, thus planting a spy inside Absalom’s council of war. (See page 301 in his Commentary on 1-2 Samuel) Hushai means "quick." He was called "the Archite,". Utley on "the Archite" This ADJECTIVE cf. 2Sa 15:32; 16:16; 17:5,14; 1Ch 27:33) is used in Josh. 16:2 for a city or region near Bethel in Benjamin. Husahai is called "the king's friend (confidant)" (1Ch 27:33) and proved to be one of David's most faithful and wise counselors (and most successful spies!) When David fled from Jerusalem, on account of the rebellion of Absalom, and had reached the summit of Olivet, he there met Hushai, whom he sent back to Jerusalem for the purpose of counteracting the influence of Ahithophel, who had joined the ranks of Absalom (2 Sam. 15:32, 37; 16:16-18). He was to spy on Absalom and whatever decided on, Hushai was to send word to David through two young men, sons of the priests Zadok and Abiathar (2Sa 15:34-36). Based on Hushai's advice Absalom refrained from immediately pursuing David and because of this delay the cause of Absalom was ruined, for it gave David time to make his escape that night across the Jordan. (2Sa 16:16-17:14) The result was the suicide of Ahithophel and the ultimate defeat and death of Absalom. 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 27:33 (ESV). 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” (verse 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 16:9, NLT). GotQuestions.org 2 Samuel 15:33 David said to him, "If you pass over with me, then you will be a burden to me. If you pass over with me: 2Sa 19:35 2 Samuel 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID'S ADVICE TO HUSHAI David said to him, "If you pass over with me, then you will be a burden to me - The text and context does not explain exactly why David said Hushai would be a burden to him. The commentaries are very conjectural. We'll ask David in Heaven! This does not seem to be anything personal because clearly he trusts and relies on Hushai, as indicated by the delicate and dangerous task he assigns him in the next verse 2 Samuel 15:34 "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 the counsel of Ahithophel for me. return: 2Sa 15:20 Jos 8:2 Mt 10:16 as I have been: 2Sa 16:16-19 then you can thwart 2Sa 17:5-14 2 Samuel 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID'S PLAN TO USE HUSHAI TO CONFUSE COUNSEL But - Term of contrast. Instead of a burden, David will explain how Hushai could t be a "blessing" to him. 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 the counsel of Ahithophel for me. - David instructs Hushai to return to Jerusalem and ingratiate himself to Absalom, deceptively declaring he would be Absalom's adviser just as he had been David's adviser. Once he had insinuated himself in Absalom's good graces, he would be able to thwart the counsel of Ahithophel. This is interesting because in 2Sa 15:31 David petitioned God to frustrate Ahithophel's counsel to Absalom, but now he is sending Hushai who would be a major component in the accomplishment of David's petition. 2 Samuel 17:14 leaves no doubt that Yahweh personally answered David's petition for the text says Absalom declared that “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." Recall Exodus 20:7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain." 2 Samuel 15:35 "Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So it shall be that whatever you hear from the king's house, you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. you shall report: 2Sa 17:15,16 2 Samuel 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HUSHAI WOULD SPY AND PASS ON TO THE PRIESTS Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? David explains that Hushai was not alone in carrying out counter espionage in Absalom's court. NET NOTE - Hebrew literally reads “Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you?” The rhetorical question draws attention to the fact that Hushai will not be alone. So it shall be that whatever you hear from the king's house, you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests - Hushai would relay inside information to the priests. Why the priests? Hushai could approach the priests under the guise of spiritual assistance. Presumably by the time Absalom took Jerusalem, Zadok and Abiathar and the Ark of God were back in Jerusalem (they had not even crossed the Kidron Valley so were very close and could easily return without suspicion), so Absalom did not know they had initially left with David. Absalom would be none the wiser. Related Resource: What does the Bible say about keeping secrets? - Got Questions ("Scripture does not pronounce any moral judgments for or against the keeping of those secrets e.g., 2 Samuel 15:35–36). 2 Samuel 15:36 "Behold their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son and Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them you shall send me everything that you hear." their two sons: 2Sa 15:27 17:17 18:19-33 2 Samuel 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID SETS UP SPY COURIERS Behold their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son and Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them you shall send me everything that you hear - Hebrew = “and you must send by their hand to me every word which you hear.” David orchestrates the chain of communication for his spy network and Absalom and his counselors would not be able to "break the code!" This would give David a major military advantage in any confrontation with Absalom's forces. Don Anderson points out that "There was a whole line of communications that led to the overthrow of Absalom. Hushai, Zadok, Abiathar, an unknown girl who took a message, Jonathan, Ahimaaz, an unknown woman who his two messengers is a disguised well, and finally the errand boy who ran the message to David." 2 Samuel 15:37 So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem. friend: 2Sa 16:16 1Ch 27:33 Absalom: 2Sa 16:15 2 Samuel 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HUSHAI AND ABSALOM BOTH COME TO JERUSALEM So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem - The order of this passage is important because Hushai was back in place in the royal court when Absalom usurped David's throne, so no suspicions would have been aroused. However, this writer still finds it somewhat surprising that neither Absalom or his counselors who came the 20 miles from Hebron were not the least bit suspicious of Hushai.