2 Samuel 17

2 Samuel 17:1

17:1-4 Having been successful in his first counsel, Ahithophel next advised Absalom to muster twelve thousand men, overtake David, kill him unexpectedly, and bring his followers back to Jerusalem. 17:5-14 Absalom was pleased but decided to call Hushai for his advice. This was the opportunity Hushai had been waiting for. He said that this second bit of advice by Ahithophel was not good “at this time.” After all, David and his men were enraged by the insurrection, and they would fight fiercely. And David was too wise to spend the night with his troops; he would be hiding in a cave somewhere. If Ahithophel’s first attack was not successful, then panic would spread throughout the nation, and Absalom’s cause would be lost. Hushai had an alternative plan, which seemed to indicate his loyalty to Absalom but which in reality was designed to provide additional time for David to escape and to include the possibility of Absalom’s death.

He suggested a general mobilization of all the armies of Israel, led by Absalom. Such an army would be invincible. David would be attacked, and escape would be impossible. Absalom decided that Hushai’s advice was best, so he rejected Ahithophel’s plan, as David had prayed (2Sa_15:31). 17:15-17 Hushai immediately sent word to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and instructed them to notify David to cross the Jordan and escape to safety. The priests sent the message by a female servant to their sons who were waiting at En Rogel, at the outskirts of the city. 17:18-22 Nevertheless a lad saw this secret meeting and reported the spies to Absalom. Accordingly, the two sons of the priests, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, hid in a well (dry cistern) at Bahurim until the search parties had passed. Then they escaped and carried the news to David. David crossed . . . the Jordan, putting this natural barrier between his forces and those of Absalom. Then David marched to Mahanaim, a city in the land of Gilead. 17:23 Ahithophel became despondent because his advice had been rejected, and because he perceived that David would be victorious. He returned to his house, set his household in order, and hanged himself. Both in life and in death he was a “type” of Judas Iscariot.

2 Samuel 17:24

G. Absalom’s Death and David’s Lament (17:2419:8)17:24-26 Absalom pursued his father across the Jordan to Gilead, having appointed Amasa as commander of his forces. Amasa’s father was an Ishmaelite by birth (1Ch_2:17) but an Israelite by religion. He was David’s nephew and a first cousin of Joab. 17:27-29 While David was encamped at Mahanaim, three men came to him with necessary, nonperishable provisions for him and his people; they were Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai. Shobi was a son of Nahash, the deceased king of the Ammonites. His brother Hanun had rejected David’s goodwill and suffered for it (chap. 10). But Shobi, although by birth an alien, cared more for Israel’s king than most of the Jews did. Likewise, many Gentiles have received Him who was rejected by “His own” (Joh_1:11). Machir had cared for Mephibosheth for many years, until David brought the latter to Jerusalem (2Sa_9:3-5). He ministered to those in need, whether a lame prince or a dethroned king. Those who give of their substance to aid the cause of Christ through hospitality will have their kindnesses returned a hundredfold when He returns in glory. Barzillai helped sustain David the entire time he stayed in Mahanaim. He was a very wealthy man and his support meant a lot to the king (2Sa_19:31-39). On his deathbed, David told Solomon to elevate the sons of Barzillai to places in the royal court (1Ki_2:7). Christ won’t forget those who have ministered to Him; they will be given positions of honor in His kingdom.