2 Samuel 16/17 – Study

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: 2 Sam 16:21 – 17:16

21 Ahithophel answered, ‘Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.’ 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

23 Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who enquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.

1 Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.’ 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

5 But Absalom said, ‘Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so that we can hear what he has to say as well.’ 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, ‘Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.’

7 Hushai replied to Absalom, ‘The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, “There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.” 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.

11 ‘So I advise you: let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba – as numerous as the sand on the seashore – be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.’

14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, ‘The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.’ For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, ‘Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message at once and tell David, “Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.”’

A. Find Out:

1. What was the first advice given by Absalom’s counsellor? v.21
2. What was this counsellor’s standing in those days? v.23
3. What was the next advice he gave Absalom? 17:1-3
4. What was the advice given by Hushai? 17:7-13
5. Why did Absalom listen to Hushai? v.14
6. What did Hushai then advise David? v.16

B. Think:

1. What was the reasoning behind the first counsel?
2. What was the reasoning behind Hushai’s counsel?
3. What was the outcome?

C. Comment:

      This is a crucial time. David and his party have fled. They will be dispirited and weary and are in no state to fight. Absalom and his followers arrive in Jerusalem, triumphant; the city and the nation are theirs! They are the victors and are ready to take on anyone! For David this is the most crucial of times. If he can get away, regroup and be refreshed, he has a chance; if not, he is doomed.

      So then we come to the two advisors, one for Absalom and one secretly for David, one of is a top rate counsellor and the other just an old friend of the departing king. The one advises go straight after David and beat him while he is tired and dispirited. The other counsels, wait, get all your troops together and then go after him. To us as observers today, the first counsel was obviously the best, but that isn’t how it was seen at the moment.

     Absalom preferred to take the more careful approach and so David was given a reprieve. The writer astutely observes that it was God’s will to thwart Absalom. Yes, David may be being disciplined by God for his sin, but that doesn’t mean that God gives free reign to those He uses to do that. The wisest of counsel may come but if it is contrary to God’s purposes then God will thwart it.

D. Application:

1. Human wisdom isn’t necessarily God’s will. Beware!
2. God’s calling for a person is all important. Merely because He disciplines, it doesn’t mean He writes them off.