(1) God brought disaster on Absalom by making him to pick the wrong advice v.1-14.
The difference of the plan of Ahithophel v.1-4 and the plan of Hushai v.7-13 was that Ahithophel wanted to go out that very night v.1. If that was the case, then Hushai would have no time to notify David and they would be caught. Ahithophel also planned to catch only David and the entire army would be returned unharmed v.3. It was a quick and effective move. Hushai proposed to mobile the whole Israel and that would took time and he meant to do that so that he bought time to notify David and they would have times to flee. But, Absalom like the advice of Hushai because his plan would wipe off the entire team v.12.
17:14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite sounds better than the advice of Ahithophel.” Now the LORD had decided to frustrate the sound advice of Ahithophel, so that the LORD could bring disaster on Absalom.
Reflection: As discussed before, Absalom took the throne from David was due to the curse God put on David for his adultery. However, the tool that God used was not exempt from the judgment of God. When Absalom sinned (to sleep with David's concubines in public) he himself would be judged, too. And God used his own wrong decision to bring disaster to him.
Reflection: As discussed before, Absalom took the throne from David was due to the curse God put on David for his adultery. However, the tool that God used was not exempt from the judgment of God. When Absalom sinned (to sleep with David's concubines in public) he himself would be judged, too. And God used his own wrong decision to bring disaster to him.
God rules in people's heart. God can influence how the world's leaders and government officers make their decision. We shall pray for the repentance of our country. If not, God can influence them to bring judgment to the country.
On the other hand, how do you make decision? We do not know everything and we only make decision base on what sounds right like Absalom did not know about the secret relationship of Hushai and he make the decision based on his advice. We shall always keep ourselves clean before God and asked for His guidance.
(2) If Absalom had listened to Ahithophel and they attacked David that very night all the people with David would be killed. Why? When David came to Manhanaim, 3 of his friends brought food and a lot of supplies to all who were with him v.27-29.
v.29b For they said, “The people are no doubt hungry, tired, and thirsty there in the desert.”
These people were not in good shape to stand the attack from the 12,000 men that Ahithophel planned to pick v.1.
Reflection: God was our Protector. Do you experience hungry, tired and thirsty in the desert? Or you have experience His protection in the past? I think we all do in 2020. This is the worst time, but also the best time -under the protection of God.
Audrey
2024
v.1-13
B:
Ahithophel gave Absalom a sound advice v.1-3, 14. It was good to Absalom and all the leaders of Israel v.4. However, probably due to some reasons, Absalom wanted to hear what Hushai thought about this plan v.5. If Absalom did not do that things would happen very differently.
God controls history by controlling our decisions. Absalom's wrong decision was according to God's will so that God could bring disaster to him v.14.
R: On the 1st level, I need to ask, do I make good or foolish decision? But, that is not all, I also need to think about, do I know whether God's will is to turn me away from something or not when I made bad decision? Seek after God when I suffered from bad decision.
B:
1. Ahithophel's counsel was obvious good and that's why Absalom himself and the elders of Israel agreed v.4. However, God is in control and Ab wanted to seek 2nd opinion. Eventually Ab decided to not follow the plan of Ahithophel so that God could punish Absalom v.14. It did not matter how smart the advice you sought, it matters if we are not right with God.
2. Hushai was rhetorically brilliant, but his attention was not good for Absalom.
(EBC) If followed, his plan is so elaborate that it will consume enough time for Hushai to send instructions to David concerning what to do in the light of Absalom’s troop movements.
R:
Make sure I am in the right place with God.
People who spoke well did not mean they have good intention for you, it may be just the opposite.
v.14-29
B:
1. 14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite sounds better than the advice of Ahithophel.” Now the LORD had decided to frustrate the sound advice of Ahithophel, so that the LORD could bring disaster on Absalom.
The word better and sound is the same. Ab thought that H's advice was better, but the truth was the advice of Ah was better. Their misconception was because the LORD frustrate the good one to bring disaster on Ab. In other words, the LORD twisted the mind to distinguish the good and bad. Of course H's brilliant rhetorical skill contributed to their deception/misconception. But eventually they were able to be tricked was due to the twisting of the mind by the LORD.
Do not fall on the hand of God. Otherwise, you cannot even trust your own judgment.
2. v. 15 Then Hushai reported to Zadok and Abiathar the priests...16 Now send word quickly to David and warn him
17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz...they would then go and inform King David
Everything David had planned worked out, but not exactly. A young man saw them and informed Ab. But, God was in control.
There was a well in his courtyard, and they got down in it. 19 His wife then took the covering and spread it over the top of the well and scattered some grain over it. No one was aware of what she had done.
The word, aware, was in Nifal, passive voice. God is behind this, even with the search of the men from Ab
The woman replied to them, “They crossed over the stream.” Absalom’s men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem
The men did not believe the lied of the woman. They searched. But, God made them not aware of the well and therefore, they did not find them.
(EBC) When Absalom’s men arrive in Bahurim and ask the woman where Ahimaaz and Jonathan are, she says that they have already left. Apparently not believing her, they search the area, returning to Jerusalem only after failing to find the two fugitives (v.20).
Summary: People did not know if God would find favor with David (15:25) until here in v.14 and 19. God revealed to us that He would punished Ab and let the plan of David succeed.
R:
Our plan succeed not because of our adviser, our mind to make the right judgment, and our planning. All may fail, either by itself or by God. On the other hand, the failed plan can work if God made it that way. Who is in control? He is in control of our judgement and whether we are aware of something. Brilliant mind is not the one we should worship, but God.
Q:
1. Contrast the advice of Ah and H. How does each pic D? What effect on Ab?
v.1-4 Ah: When I catch up with him he will be exhausted and worn out. I will rout him, and the entire army that is with him will flee
Ab might think that D was a easy prey and there would be a easy victory
v.7-13 H: your father and his men—they are soldiers and are as dangerous...Your father is an experienced soldier; he will not stay overnight with the army...If it should turn out that he attacks our troops first, whoever hears about it will say, ‘Absalom’s army has been slaughtered!’ 10 If that happens even the bravest soldier—one who is lion-hearted—will virtually melt away
Ab might think that D was tough, and the fight would be risky. Even Ab's own solider would loose heart if they loose any man first
1a. What did God think about Ah's plan? What did Sc called Ah's plan in v.14? good
1b. Why was Ah's plan better?
Ahithophel wanted to go out that very night v.1. If that was the case, then Hushai would have no time to notify David and they would be caught. Ahithophel also planned to catch only David and the entire army would be returned unharmed v.3. It was a quick and effective move.
Hushai proposed to mobile the whole Israel and that would took time
1c. What was the intention of H? he meant to do that so that he bought time to notify David and they would have times to flee.
1d. Scripture called Ah's plan was better, but which plan did Ab think was better?
2. the LORD had decided to frustrate the sound advice of Ahithophel, so that the LORD could bring disaster on Absalom.
15:31 So David prayed, “Make the advice of Ahithophel foolish, O LORD!” (16:23 In those days Ahithophel’s advice was considered as valuable as a prophetic revelation. Both David and Absalom highly regarded the advice of Ahithophel. )
If D had not prayed and if God had not answered his prayer then Ab was highly unlikely to not listening to him.
2a. When God could bring disaster on Ab he made him listen to a worse plan, but he himself thought was a better plan. What can God do to a person when that person was under a judgment?
In other words, the LORD twisted the mind to distinguish the good and bad.
Of course H's brilliant rhetorical skill contributed to their deception/misconception. But eventually they were able to be tricked was due to the twisting of the mind by the LORD.
2b. What shall we do after we know this about God?
Do not fall on the hand of God. Otherwise, you cannot even trust your own judgment.
2c. Eventually, H plan worked. He could informed the men and they told D to flee and he was safe. The messengers were all set up by D were he left, v.15-17. But the plan almost fell through in v.18-20. The the men did not jus take her words (her lies), they still search but not found.
What made the disguse over the well so successful that even the men who tried to search but did not know was because of God.
ESV for v.19 19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth and scattered grain on it, and nothing was known of it. (The passive voice might hint that God make it not being known).
2d. You see Ab picked the bad plan and thought he got the good one. On the other hand, even though D planned for the man to inform him. It might succeed, but almost failed if God did not intervened. What do you learn about our ability to plan and God's control in the world?
2e. Do we worship brilliant mind?
Our plan succeed not because of our adviser, our mind to make the right judgment, and our planning. All may fail, either by itself or by God. On the other hand, the failed plan can work if God made it that way. Who is in control? He is in control of our judgement and whether we are aware of something. Brilliant mind is not the one we should worship, but God.
3. bc his advice had not been followed
4. Supposed Ah foresaw the future of Ab and that was bc he did not listen to Ah's advice. Then Ah must be really mad and felt why he did not listen.
5. Happy and grateful. Refresh.
6. When both Mike and I got the Covid vaccine we were both so tired and lied on the couches. The door bell rang and someone brought us a roast duck from our favorite restaturant. We thank God for His timely care and love.
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