My Grandad gave me some very wise advice when I was 16. I had just gotten my driver’s license and my first car and was set to cover some ground. As I readied, Grandad knew what was in store for me. New places, new experiences and most importantly, new friends. He looked me in the eye and evoked these words of wisdom, “Dan, there are two kinds of people in this world, those that will pull you up and those that will pull you down. Who you choose is your decision.” Pretty deep words for a 16 year old that was only looking fun, sun and laughs. One of the great ironies of life is that during your formative teenage years when you get such powerful advice as this from so many, is that most of it falls casually by the wayside. It wasn’t until many years later that I fully grasped Grandad’s words.
Indeed, there are two schools of people in this life. The uppers and the downers. Yet, I’ve learned another distinctification among these two classes. And it involves, to no surprise, their hearts. You see, the way we see ourselves determines the way we see others. If you hold an extremely high view of yourself, unfortunately, it will be extremely difficult for anyone else to be escalated above yourself. But just the opposite if you have a very genuine and realistic view of yourself. You allow others to occupy a space at your equal or even above yourself. This is, after all, God’s plan for those that call Christ their Lord. To place all others either at your equal or even above yourself. In fact, besides the command to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength, there is no higher command in the Bible. To love others as you love yourself. To treat others as you desire to be treated. To look, speak and act towards others with the respect, honor, and dignity that you would in turn expect from them. Seems simple, right? Well, if it’s so simple then why aren’t more people doing it?
Today in 2 Samuel chapter 17 we see a flurry of action, drama, suspense, and intrigue. In fact, in order to keep the story properly framed, I think it’s important to examine our cast of participants. Let’s take a look at the main characters that play a part in chapter 17.
King David. If you don’t know exactly who this is by this time in our study of the Samuels, you should be hit on the head with a tack hammer. Just kidding. Kinda.
Absalom. David’s third son by one of his many wives, Maacah. He also had a full sister, Tamar. His half-brother, Amnon, raped Tamar and after two years of planning, Absalom murdered Amnon and fled into exile. He was eventually allowed back into Jerusalem but shunned by David for his deeds. In his hate, anger, and resentment against David’s treatment, he organizes a masterful coup to take the throne from his father. He and his followers invade Jerusalem and David has to flee the city. Absalom, now in the palace, calls himself king but must complete just one more small task. Kill the king, his very father.
Hushai. David’s loyal friend, fellow soldier, and trusted confidante. Hushai accompanies David as he flees Jerusalem and the threat of Absalom. But David knows that he needs some influence and insight into the plans of Absalom, so he sends Hushai back into Jerusalem as a spy. Hushai will successfully infiltrate Absalom’s war room and undermine the battle plan, instead replacing it with one that will afford time to warn King David.
Ahithopel. A very wise individual with advice that was greatly valued. In fact, we’re told that his words were “as if from God” (2 Sam 16:23) and as result were greatly valued by all. He advised King David, but as Absalom took the city, Ahithopel swapped allegiance, seeing his future being more rewarded in serving a new, young, ambitious king. David knew the powerful wisdom of Ahithopel and if he were personally advising Absalom, he knew it could be his demise. David purposefully sent Hushai into Jerusalem to negate the advice of Ahithopel. David even offers a prayer to the Lord that Ahithopel’s words to Absalom will be “turned to foolishness.” (2 Sam 15:31)
The scene plays out like a James Bond film as Hushai does indeed infiltrate the inner circle of Absalom, selling himself as a disgruntled defector from King David. Absalom first seeks advice from Ahithopel. His advice is to strike David in a quick and deadly blow, while he is weak and scattered. Absalom likes the idea and they agree to move forward. But God heard the prayer of David and Absalom surprisingly calls in Hushai to get a second opinion. Hushai opposes (of course) Ahithopel’s view and instead sews seeds of doubt into Absalom’s traitorous mind. The seeds sprout quickly. Attacking King David now will be like “robbing a bear of its cubs.” (2 Sam 17:8) He reminds him that David is a fierce warrior with a track record to prove it. He has his mighty men of valor with him and they will all fight to the death to defend their king. Hushai’s advice? Assemble a massive army that can overwhelm David. But to assemble this army will also allow time to get word to David so that he may flee across the Jordan to safety. Absalom accepts Hushai’s plan over Ahithopel’s and David lives to fight another day.
Folk, how many times have you found yourself in a pickle and sought wise counsel? How many times have you asked friends and even family for advice on how they would handle the problem that looms in your path? And how many times have you received polar opposite recommendations? Maybe one seems to be wise and thoughtful while the other seems to make no sense at all? What do you do? We see in our story that both David and Absalom both had their own dilemmas in front of them. And they both sought wise counsel. But one sought it from men, and one sought it from the Lord. You see, Grandad was absolutely right, some people will help you and some will hurt you. Figuring out which is which is a challenge of life that will forever be present. But friends when you seek the counsel of the Lord it will always be good. It will always be the truth; it will always be reliable, and it will always be for your good. Yes, you will always need to seek the wise counsel of men and women, but always seek the Lord’s counsel first. For it is here that true wisdom lies.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8
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