II Samuel Chapter 17 "Ahithophel's
Counsel to Absalom [1-5]." This Bible
Study is written by Roger Christopherson, and it's
transcription is provided with written permission by http://www.theseason.org II Samuel 17:1 "Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, "Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:" Remember Ahithophel was the counseller to David before he went to Hebron with Absalom, and at Hebron turned against David. He was David's wife's grandfather through his wife Bath-sheba. This is keeping it within the family for Ahithophel was now the closest adviser to his great grandson Absalom. II Samuel 17:2 "And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the People that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:" In Ahithophel's plan, he would gather a twelve thousand man army, and they would march to overtake David and the people with him that night, but kill only David. Ahithophel knows that he is a traitor to David the true king, and he wanted David dead. If David was allowed to live, than Ahithopehl's life just isn't worth much. II Samuel 17:3 "And I will bring back all the People unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the People shall be in peace." Ahithophel is playing here on Absalom's pride, because it was obvious that Absalom wanted to be loved and worshipped by all the people. This was how Absalom came to the position of power that he enjoyed. Absalom sat outside the court of David and made promises to the people that if he were king, he would keep these promises and the people would live in peace. Absalom was on a self appointed ego trip. Later we will see Hushai do the same thing that Ahithophel was doing, only for the sake of David's protection. Hushai will also use Absalom's pride to turn the tide for David, even to the point to where Absalom will do what Hushai tells him to do. Ahithophel was seeking to take the credit for the killing of David, unlike the purpose for Hushai's actions. However, Absalom was looking for a way to where only he would get all the credit for placing himself on the throne, and Hushai understood this. II Samuel 17:4 "And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel." II Samuel 17:5 "Then said Abaslom, "Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith." " Absalom wanted a second opinion to the plan that Ahithophel has made, and so the other wise counseller of the kingdom was called in. However, Hushai was David's plant in the palace of Absalom. Hushai was a spy inside the wall. II Samuel 17:6 "And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, "Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou." " Absalom told Hushai the plan of Ahithophel and told him, if you have better advice than speak up. II Samuel 17:7 "And Hushai said unto Absalom, "The counsel that Ahithophel hath give is not good at this time." Hushai was not saying that Ahithaphel was giving bad advise, but he is saying that it was the wrong timing for that plan to take place. Hushai went on to tell Absalom why the plan's timing was off. II Samuel 17:8 "For, said Hushai, "Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in thier minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the People." Hushai is reminding Absalom that David his father was a mighty warrior, and has been under these condition many times before. He knew how to run and hide, and how to fight when it was necessary. The warriors will separate themselves from the people, and will always be ready to do battle. Hushai told Absalom not to forget what you have done to David's kingdom, and David is going to be ready for you. David was one of the wisest generals when it came to military strategy, and planning to upstage his enemies plans. So Hushai reminded Absalom of that old saying that the people sang; "Saul had his thousands, and David his ten thousands." II Samuel 17:9 "Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, `There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.' " Hushai told Absalom that if he charges in and kills some of the people and finds out that David and his men are not there, you are going to get blamed for killing innocent lives. The People of Israel will turn against you if you slaughter innocent blood. As mean and chafted as David is right now, you won't get next to him anyway. II 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." Hushai reminded Absalom that the heart of the people is still with David, even though it appears that you have their hearts, that will not last. When you kill the innocent, they will cry out for David again. II Samuel 17:11 "Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person." This is talking about gathering all the tribes of Israel together, and when all the people are together, you tell them what you are going to do. You take the credit for what ever you do. That is the only way that the people will respect you for what you do. If someone else is in charge, than that person gets the credit for the victory. Hushai was playing on Absalom's ego, and even though Absalom goes to the battle, he will be protected by of many troops. II Samuel 17:12 "So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one." In Hashai's plan, when Absalom's troops come upon David and his troops, the plan was to have so many troops on Absalom's side that not one of David's troops would be able to escape with their lives. II Samuel 17:13 "Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there." " I hope that you can see some of the termnology that Jesus Christ himself used in describing what would happen concerning the false messiah and Jerusalem. "Not one stone left atop another..." as given in all the gospels. Even in the fact that Satan would be hiding in a pit. "The pit" is the place set aside for only one person, and that person is Satan himself, following the return of Christ to this earth. That pit is also called the "abyss". As Hushai was describing what would happen to David, Absalom was thinking in his mind of great and glorious things coming to him and his kingdom. II Samuel 17:14 "And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel fo Ahithophel." For the Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom." The People and the learned elders of Israel listened to both arguments, and thought that the counsel that Ahithophel was to bring glory to himself and evil down on Absalom. They praised the counsel of Hushai; However, the Lord did appoint all these events to happen, for he wanted David remain king in the end, and he shall. II Samuel 17:15 "Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled." Remember that Zadok and Abiathar were the priests that David sent back to Jerusalem for the sake of listening to what went on there, and reporting back to David. Hushai instructed these two priests of everything that went on behind closed doors, in the counsel of Absalom, as to what Ahithophel has said, and also what he advised. This would allow David to know all the actions of Absalom and his army. II Samuel 17:16 "Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, `Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the People that are with him.' " " Hushai did not know whether Absalom would take his advice or trust Ahithophel. So the warning went out to pack up and get to the other side of the river Jordan now. II Samuel 17:17 "Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David." This "wench" was a handmaiden of one of the priest, and she was told all that Hushai had revealed to them, and she carried the message to David. The word "En-rogel" means the "fount of the fuller", and it is the place that is called, the fountain of the Virgin" today". It is on the east side of Ophel, where the priests resided. II Samuel 17:18 "Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away, quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down." This lad saw and heard the sons of this pirest telling this handmaiden, the warning that she was to give to David, and he went and told Absalom what was said. Wells in this area were mostly cisterns, storage areas for water, however at this time they were mostly dry. Jonathan and Ahimaaz went into one of these water storage areas to hid. "Bahurim" in the Hebrew text means "in the low grounds", this took place beyond the mount of Olives, in the valley. II Samuel 17:19 "And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known." This storage place for water was covered over to where it would not look like a well. This again goes into a deeper meaning that just a woman putting a covering over the mouth of the well and spread the seed over it. Her purpose was to hide and protect these two men of God, for they were the truth bearers covered over by the seed. When you have the key of David, then you understand the seed line and you know those of Israel, from those that say they are of Judah and are not. They are "the ones that lie, but are from the synagogue of Satan." Was this an accident that the seed was poured on the covering protecting these two that carried the warning for David? I don't think so. Paul warned us in I Corinthians 10:11 that the things and stories from the Old Testament are "ensamples" [examples or types] for those thing that are going to happen in the New Testament. "And they are given for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." II Samuel 17:20 "And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, "Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" And the woman said unto them, "They have gone over the brook of water." And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem." These priests were well known, and these servants of Absalom knew exactly who they were looking for. This woman sent them on a wild goose chase, and when they could not find Ahimaaz and Jonatha they gave up the chase. These two priests are still with the woman under the corn. II Samuel 17:21 "And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David , and said unto David, "Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you." When it was known that it was safe, they went to David and told him of the council of Ahithophel, that Absalom may be on hot pursuit that night. So David and all his men and servants left that place of resting, and crossed the river that night. II Samuel 17:22 "Then David arose, and all the People that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan." Once you know what your enemy is going to do, than you can take the proper steps that is needed to be done to take the victory for yourself. That is why there must be covert or hidden action in all military activity. God demands covert action of Christians, and that is why He detailed all the events that would take place in our generation. When it comes to our nation, covert action is what allows us to keep up on what our enemies are doing, and to know their plans in advance. David's life was spared because of the covert activity of his spies, such as Hushai, Zodak, and these two priests. Today we had better be familiar enough with our Father's Word so that we can know exactly what the enemies of God are doing. Father has placed all his Word, with understanding before our eyes, and as these events of our day come into being, we are to be able to relate them to all the things given in His Word. This is what is called "Bible Prophecy", and Christ Himself has warned us; Mark 13:23 "But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things." Just like these two came to David and warned him in detail of the plans of Absalom, so also Jesus has warned us of all things that we are going to face in our generation. Jesus warned us of the time when Satan will come to earth disguised in the role of the false Christ. We know of all those matters concerning what the church will be doing, as well as what the one world system will be doing. Jesus even warned us of what our families will be saying and committed to do to each of us. It is all written within the Word of God. We are living in the time now where each of us must seal that information in our minds, to where we can understand what we are seeing with our own eyes. Its time to keep our heads out of the sand, and be prepared for these times as they unfold before us. That is what the sealing is of the latter days, it is having the Word placed in your mind with understanding. II Samuel 17:23 "And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his house hold in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father." When Ahithophel saw that Absalom was not listening to him, he knew that the word would get back to David, and his life was about over. He went back home to his family, and got his house in order, and killed himself. Ahithophel was wise enough to know that Absalom was riding high on this ego trip, and that it would not last long. He knew the David was a mighty warrior, and that in the end, David would be on the throne again. Ahithophel made a bad choice in the heat of the time, and made his commitment to follow Absalom the false king, and there was no turning back. David does not tolerate traitors and treason within his court, and Ahithophel knew it was just a matter of time before he was a dead man. The communistic form of life and government has failed all over the world, but we still have some Ahithophel's running around that think that socialism is the best form of life. Absalom's form of government was to let the people all share equally, promising what ever it took for the people to love him. Socialism awards a man for being lazy, and steal from those who have earned their wealth. Many today still think that liberalism is the way to go. II Samuel 17:24 "Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him." "Mahanaim", is the place of "two gates" or "two choices". This is right by the place that Jacob and Esau had their place of parting. II Samuel 17:25 "And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother." "Amasa" in the Hebrew means "a burden", and we will see that this is what he became to David. However there is a very important part to this verse; for in the manuscripts it does not say that Ithra was an Israelite, but an Ishmaelite. Some sneaky Kenite scribe had a twist of the pen, and an Arab, or Ishmaelite slipped in close to David unaware. Joab the nephew of David was replaced as the top general over the army of Israel, and this Arab or Ishmaelite, this burden to Israel took over the command of God's army. Now put the activity of this heathen in full light. Zeruiah was the sister of David, and also Zeruiah was the name of one of her sister inlaw. So what this was saying was that to add insult to injury to Joab, this sneaky Arab Ishmaelite, general Amasa raped Abigail the niece of Zeruiah, her sister Nahash's daughter. This was going far deeper into the prophecy of Nathan and it was coming true. Trouble came to the entire house of David, for we have seen how it affected David's sons, and now even his sister's household. God forbid that any Israelite go in unto one that was not an Israelite, but Amasa forced himself upon Abigail, as related in the Hebrew text. II Samuel 17:26 "So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead." II Samuel 17:27 "And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim," The sides are forming for a civil war, it is brother fighting against brother. Some are backing David and his forces, while their brothers are taking the other side on Absalom's side. God is now going to take his own vengeance. II Samuel 17:28 "Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse," II Samuel 17:29 "And honey and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the People that were with him, to eat: for they said, "The People is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness." " "Wilderness" as used here would be more like a jungle. So David and his people have been supplies with the things that they need for the battle which is about to start. This flows right into the next chapter.
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