Absalom's Advisers II Samuel 17

II Samuel 17:6 "And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? If not, speak thou."

Aphithophel was David's counsellor. See chapter 15 verse 12. His counsel to Absalom was to immediately take 12,000 men and pursue David and kill him only and bring the people back. v1-2

Hushai advised against that and said it would be better to gather all the people and go after David. v11 You see, Aphithophel's counsel would probably have worked but Hushai was on David's side and diverted that plan, most likely, saving David's life.

v14 "And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahitophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom."

Hushai told the priests Zadok and Abiathar what Aphithophel had said and sent them to warn David. verse 16. Hushai is apparently a spy for David.

The two men went to warn David but were in danger of getting caught when a woman hid them in a well.

v19 "And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon, and the thing was not known."

David got the message and escaped by passing over Jordan. Aphithophel seeing his plan was scraped and betrayal was known went home and hanged himself. verse 23.

v26 "So, Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead."

But the LORD took care of David and refreshed him in the wilderness. A man called Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai all brought provisions for David and the people. So while Absalom and his army are pitched in Gilead, David is being cared for by the LORD and is getting strong for battle.

v28-29 "Brought beds, and basons, and earthern vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness."

As I said before, it takes more than being in the king's house to make a king. A battle is about to be fought. On one side is Absalom and all Israel. On the other side is David, his mighty men and the LORD. Next chapter.

Psalm 51:7 "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Keywords: Old Old Story, Old Testament, Bible study, Samuel, David, Absalom, Milton Southerland. David and Absalom prepare for battle.