#ahithophel

Evening Devotional for November 26

The sorrow of the world worketh death.

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 household in order, and hanged himself, and died. — A wounded spirit who can bear?

Is there no balm in Gilead? is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? — The LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek: he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. — Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Philip preached unto him Jesus. — He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh. (2 Samuel 15:12)

The man Ahithophel was David’s most trusted adviser: “In those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God” (16:23). This man was a fountain of biblical wisdom. When he spoke, it was consistently an expression of God’s truth. But even he was deceived into joining Absalom in his great rebellion.

Ahithophel’s support seems to have brought a tipping point in Absalom’s great uprising. When he joined up, “the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing” (15:12). People reasoned, “If Ahithophel is with Absalom, we should be with him too.” Ahithophel had great influence. People followed his example.

Here is the responsibility that comes with leadership: The greater your influence, the greater your responsibility. When people look to you as a leader, counselor, teacher, or mentor, the choices you make will shape the lives of others as well as your own.

What follows in the story is a scene of great pain and sadness. A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom” (15:13). That must have been a dagger to David’s heart. David knew that this meant his own son would come after him seeking his life. So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom” (15:14).

2 Samuel 17 || Photo by H. Emre on Pexels.com | jeffersonvann Samuel 17:1 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will set out in pursuit of David tonight. 2 I will attack him while he is weary and discouraged, throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will scatter. I will strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. When…

So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom. 2 Samuel 17:14 Regardless of who the enemy is, they always make plans to harm those who are doing good. In battles one side will always attempt to…

Monday, 7/14/25

SCRIPTURE:

(Now in those days, the advice Ahithophel gave was like asking for a word from God. That’s why Ahithophel’s advice was valued by both David and Absalom.) ~ 2 Samuel 16:23

OBSERVATION:

Perhaps he was originally seeking a word from God...

Or perhaps he was always looking out for his own best interests, buttering up whomever was the king...

The advice from any man or woman needs to be seen in the light of God's Word...

...especially the decisions I make about what I want and (think), I need...

...and thankfully, Jesus made/makes it possible for me to ask directly for His Words...

...of wisdom...

...of direction...

...of forgiveness...

APPLICATION:

Be mindful who I ask for advice...

...and of any advice I might be asked to give...

In fact, prayerful seek His advice and direction...

...and follow it...

He may tell me to ask someone... 

...or give me a word to offer in humility...

PRAYER:

Father of all wisdom and grace - I ask to be forgiven for wanting immediate answers from those around me instead of patiently waiting for a word from You - May I be mindful of Your timing and direction in all things at all times, seeking guidance from Your will and Word, testing it through Your Holy Spirit to insure I'm not making decisions on my own and/or by being misled by my own selfish willfulness... Remind me to put You even before my own "humility" - standing firm in Your Word and direction, much as Jesus taught and showed through His examples and actions - in His Name, and for Your praise...

Yours - in and through Him...

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15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so have I counseled. 16 Now therefore send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not stay tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’” 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at…

1 Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 2 I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king, 3 and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one…