2 Samuel 17

CHAPTERS 17 AND 18THEME: Civil war between Absalom and DavidIn chapter 17, Absalom hears the counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai, David’s friend. When Absalom accepts Hushai’s argument that David and his men are veterans in the field of battle and that Absalom needs reinforcements, David is able to escape and prepare for battle. In chapter 18 the two sides engage in civil war. The battle ends with Absalom’s death. The chapter concludes with the touching grief of David over his slain son.

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THE CONFLICTING COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL AND HUSHAIAs we have been following the different experiences of David, we saw first his triumphs, and now we are seeing his troubles. In fact, he is really in trouble right now. David’s own son Absalom, whom I believe he loved above everything else in this world, is leading a rebellion against him. This was a heartbreak to the king. David withdrew from Jerusalem because he did not want it to become the scene of a battle and possibly be destroyed. Instead, David left his beloved city.

He sent Hushai back to Absalom so that he might give him counsel that would be to David’s advantage. Ahithophel, who had once been an advisor to David, had defected to Absalom. In chapter 17 these two advisors are giving Absalom contradictory counsel about whether or not to attack his father at this time. In other words, if David could be destroyed, the rebellion would be broken and Absalom would be made king. Ahithophel’s advice, of course, would be disastrous for David if it were followed. Ahithophel outlines his plan:

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Even Absalom agreed to this heartless plan.

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It was a good thing that Hushai was present, because he offers an altogether different strategy. He gives Absalom advice that is very goodbut it is favorable to David. David is in a very vulnerable position and desperately needs time.

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Hushai is giving Absalom good advice even though it is for David’s benefit. His advice is simply this: “You must recognize, Absalom, that you are not a man of war. Your father is a man of war. He is acquainted with the field. He is a veteran. He is rugged.

He has his mighty men with him. David and his men are chafed by what has happened. They are licking their wounds right now and are like a mother bear who has been robbed of her whelpsthat mama bear is really going to fight and will become twice as dangerous as she would be otherwise. You would be very foolish to attack David now. But suppose you did attack him. David has been pursued beforehe is an expert at evading capture.

Saul hunted him for years. David would not be among the people. He would know where to hide. He would know how to escape. Suppose you went into his host and did not find David. Soon word would circulate that you were losing the battle, and you would find that the people who had temporarily joined you in your cause would not stay with you.” Now that Hushai has pointed out errors in judgment in Ahithophel’s counsel, he outlines another strategy.

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He is saying to Absalom, “The important thing is that you are not prepared to go into battle. Ahithophel is not prepared for battle. Just taking a few thousand men with you will not enable you to overcome David. What you need to do is to gather all Israel together, and you yourself lead the forces into battle. That is what is expected of a king. That is the way your father came to the throne. He was, first of all, a great general. We will have to overwhelm him and his men by sheer numbers.” Hushai’s advice was good all right, but it was not for Absalom’s benefit. It was given for David’s benefit. It would give David time to reconnoiter. Now what did Absalom and the men of Israel think of Hushai’s counsel?

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Absalom and his advisors felt that Hushai’s advice was better. Very candidly, friend, Hushai’s counsel was certainly better than that of Ahithophel from David’s standpoint. God was at work in David’s behalf. WARNING IS SENT TO DAVIDWhile they are attempting to gather together the nation and unite them under Absalom, Hushai gets a warning to David. He is to escape over Jordan quickly. In the next few verses we see the movement of the spy system. When the message reached David, he responded quickly.

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AHITHOPHEL’S SUICIDEBecause Ahithophel was a proud man and a highly respected advisor, when he saw that his counsel was not followed, he considered his career over. The record says that he put his house in order, then hanged himself.

2 Samuel 17:24

ABSALOM PURSUES DAVIDAbsalom now has gotten together a great army from all the tribes of Israel, and they pursue David. David spent a great deal of his life running from somebody. In this instance, of course, it is indirectly because of his own sin. David is actually in a very difficult position. He had fled Jerusalem without any preparation whatsoever. Those who were loyal to him had fled with him.

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David finds that he has many allies in the people round about. They know David and the warrior that he is. The rulers of these kingdoms probably have very little confidence in Absalom, knowing he is deceitful and tricky. He would not be dependable. They do, however, have confidence in David. Therefore, they bring supplies to David and his men to ease their hardship. Absalom’s delay enables David to get supplies from his allies and ready his troops for combat.