2 Samuel 17
THAT Absalom was quite willing to have his father killed is shown by his being well pleased with Ahithophel’s proposal to take twelve thousand men at once and seek David, expecting to kill him and bring the people back to Absalom. Ahithophel’s advice was of the best, if God were to be left out of the reckoning, for David’s fortunes were at the lowest ebb, and his followers, though courageous men, and deeply attached to him, were but few, nor had there been time to prepare and put into use a plan of defense in case of attack. Hushai counseled delay, professing to be true to Absalom, and his words won approval, for God had a controversy with Absalom. How often He works behind the scenes, in due time to show His hand!
It remained for Hushai to warn David, and the message he sent shows that he was not sure that Ahithophel’s advice would not be followed after all. But it pleased God to use weak instruments for the carrying out of His will; there was nothing to mark the circumstances that follow in the inspired record as extraordinary or miraculous at all, yet One was at work to show Himself strong in the behalf of David whose heart was faithful to God, though he had sinned and brought these sorrows upon himself (see 2 Chronicles 16:99For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. (2 Chronicles 16:9)).
David and those with him crossed the Jordan northeast of Jerusalem to Mahanaim, the place where Jacob met the angels on his return from his long exile (Genesis 32:1, 21And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. (Genesis 32:1‑2)); and where Ishbosheth, son of Saul, had reigned as king over the larger part of the land of Israel (2 Samuel 2:88But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; (2 Samuel 2:8), etc.). Ahithophel, disappointed because his advice had not been acted upon, went home and hanged himself. Miserable man, he had wisdom for this world (see chapter 16, last verse), but seems to have been an enemy of God.
There were those who showed kindness to David in the time of his rejection (verses 27-29). Among the names we observe that of the man who had taken in the poor crippled Mephibosheth, Machir (chapter 9) and a stranger of the children of Ammon.
ML 02/20/1927