The Bible: 2 Samuel Chapter 17

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 17, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 17 David has just left the city when Ahithophel gives advice to assemble a lightning strike force of twelve thousand men, and pursue him through the night to kill just the king only and finalise Absalom’s coup. It was smart military and political advice. Ahithophel is the grandfather of Bath-sheba and many commentators think that he turned against David because he carried a grudge.This might not be correct because by supporting a rebellion against David he almost certainly was supporting the ultimate death of his granddaughter and her son Solomon in the aftermath. My sense is that Ahithophel thought deeply about things that happened and wanted to be on whoever’s side was going to win, and from there use his position to preserve himself and his family.In response Hushai, who is a planted agent of Davids, gives advice to wait, and assemble a big army that will be able to succeed with certainty. He plants fear based on the idea that David is smart enough to expect a lightning strike and is prepared for it. Imagine being Absalom and having to choose between these two ideas. Absalom goes with Hushai’s advice, and after this Ahithophel hangs himself. Ahithophel and Judas have several things in common.Both of them shared deep fellowship with the person they betrayed, and they later hanged themselves. Psalm 41 which talks about Ahithophel in verse 9 is often seen as a prophetic picture of Judas. Each election in a democracy we choose sides and we do so without fear of reprisal. For some of these people in this story it was a life or death choice choosing who to support. In the same way - our choice to follow and support Christ is a life and death decision too