Aug. 29, 2021. II Samuel 16:15-23

Posted byJohn Sanzone

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AHITHOPHEL’S REVENGE.  II Samuel 16:15-23.  8/29/2021.  #37.

II Samuel 16:15-23 [New King James Version]

15 Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him. 16 And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17 So Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” 18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.” 20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give advice as to what we should do.” 21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23 Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

  1. Hushai’s Gambit
    1. David’s friend and advisor, Hushai, greets Absalom with “Long live the King!”
      1.  Absalom is suspicious: “Why did you not go with your friend, David?”
      1.  Hushai would be expected to remain loyal to David
    1. Hushai states that he will faithfully serve whoever is king
      1.  This is not loyalty, but opportunist
      1.  A man who switches loyalty, like one who betrays a spouse, cannot be trusted
    1. Absalom’s initial intuition was correct
      1.  By accepting Hushai, Absalom brings a spy into fold
      1.  Even Hushai’s explanation reeked of deceit
    1. It is not wise to casually blow past intuition and discernment
      1.  David did not follow initial instinct with Amnon
      1.  David did not follow instinct with Absalom
      1.  Absalom doesn’t follow instinct with Hushai
    1. Just as David deceived Bathsheba and Uriah, Absalom deceived David, and now Hushai deceives Absalom (sowing and reaping)
  2. Ahithophel’s revenge
    1. Ahithophel’s advice was so wise it was as if from God
    1. Absalom asks what they should do first
    1. Ahithophel advises to violate David’s concubine before Israel
      1.  David had left behind 10 concubines to take care of the palace
      1.  II Samuel 12 Nathan predicted that since David violated Bathsheba is secret, God would allow David’s neighbor to violate his marriage bed in public
        1.  David left concerned in Jericho knowing the prophecy
        1.  To have a son do this added to the shame (as Reuben did to Jacob; I Corinthians 5)
      1.  Ahithophel argues that this act would show Israel how much Absalom despised David (no reconciliation between father and son possible, so Absalom’s men would feel confident and strengthened by the act)
    1. A big tent was put on the spot on the palace roof from which David watched Bathsheba bathe
    1. This is Ahithophel’s revenge
      1.  Bath. was Ahithophel’s granddaughter
      1.  Just as David saw his godaughter naked while on the palace roof and then violated her, he advises Absalom to violate David’s conscious at the same spot
      1.  Ahithophel has obviously been seething about this for years while at the same time being chief advisor
      1.  Ahithophel never turns vengeance over to God
    1. God had already pronounced judgment on David
      1.  It was not up to Ahithophel to punish David
      1.  God used Ahithophel’s plot to fulfill prophecy
  3. Downward slope
    1. One sin begets another
      1.  Once the downward spiral begins, many people become entrapped in the folly
      1.  David’s initial sin started a domino effect
    1. Each player in this drama was still responsible for his acts
    1. No corrupt ruler can rule well
    1. Notice the bitterness David caused in family and nation
    1. Yet, God chose David and other flawed people to do his will