Sunday
20th March 2022
#Ahithophel_the_traitor
#Absalom_the_usurper
2 Samuel 13-18 is filled with so much political intrigue and machinations against the LORD's anointed.
But
the LORD rules over all; He overruled all the evil schemes of wicked men.
The similar ends of a traitor and a usurper
#Ahithophel_the_traitor
Ahithophel
was a trusted counsellor of King David but turned treacherously against the LORD's
anointed king. Absalom was a son of David and well loved by him but he was a
perverse usurper.
1Chronicles
27 KJT
33
And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's
companion.
2Samuel
15
12
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his
city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was
strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
16:23
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a
man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel
both with David and with Absalom.
17:14
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 Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil
upon Absalom.
Ahithophel's
counsel was defeated and he committed suicide!
2Sa 17:23 And 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, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
#Absalom_the_usurper
Absalom
was killed in his rebellion:
2Sa
18:32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi
answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do
thee hurt, be as that young man is.
Why
did Ahithophel turn against King David? He was the grandfather of Bathsheba,
the wife of Uriah.
"The
flames of anger slowly burned down to become smouldering embers of bitterness
that twisted the once wise man into a little man bent on one thing – Making
David Pay!"
However,
the gracious and merciful LORD overruled such treacherous bitterness.
The
LORD Himself had justly dealt with the sin of David. Ahithophel's continual
bitterness ended up consuming and destroying him. Beware of such bitterness in your heart!
Hebrews
12:15
Looking
diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness
springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled
