The Advice of Ahithopel And Hushai

II Samuel 17:1–14
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Ahithophel told Absalom that he will choose twelve thousand men and attack David at night while he is tired and discouraged (vv. 1-2). He will panic and everyone will run away so I can kill him (v. 3). Then I will bring everyone back to you and this way there won’t be a civil war. Absalom and all the leaders of Israel agreed that Ahithophel had a good plan (v. 4).

Soon Absalom invited Hushai in to see what he thought about Ahithophel’s plan (vv. 5-6). Hushai said he didn’t think Ahithophel’s advice was very good because David’s men are strong and they are as angry as a mama bear that is robbed of its cubs (vv. 7-8). Also, he is an expert fighter who won’t stay all night with the army troops. When people hear that some of your soldiers have been killed they will think your whole army has been destroyed and even brave men will be frightened (vv. 9-10). Hushai recommends that Absalom gather all the fighting men from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south and that he leads them personally into the battle, finding David wherever he is hiding, and kill him and all of his men (vv. 11-12). If he escapes don’t leave any stone unturned until you find him (v. 13). Absalom and everyone liked Hushai’s plan better than Ahithophel’s plan because the Lord in His sovereignty had planned eventual disaster for Absalom (v. 14).

Application

I need to be thankful for whatever God brings into my life because His plan is always best.