Reading: II Samuel 17-18
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(II Sam. 17:23).
One of the interesting things we discover while reading the Word of God is how convoluted and far-spread the consequences of a single action can be. Even after a sinful action has been atoned for with God, the worldly ripple effects can still be seen and felt, sometimes for generations to come. Such is the case with David’s original dalliance with Bathsheba. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house (II Sam.11:2-4). We have already discussed how David’s sons were influenced by his immoral behavior and how his guilt over his sin adversely affected his parenting. In today’s reading, we are shown yet another way that this seemingly private and personal sin sowed far-reaching seeds of destruction.
Ahithophel was an exceedingly wise man who had served David faithfully for many years. And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom (17:23). We know very little about the personal life of this trusted advisor, but we are given basic genealogical facts, Ahithophel was the father of Eliam (23:24), and Eliam was the father of Bathsheba. Bath-sheba, the woman whom David had taken in a fit of carnal lust and whose life had forever been changed as a result. Knowing this, Ahithophel’s betrayal of David suddenly becomes a lot easier for us to understand.
Absalom had waited for the perfect opportunity before taking his revenge on Amnon for the rape of Tamar. As he waited, he had stored up bitterness in his heart. Here, we find that Ahithophel had likely done much the same thing regarding the hurt that had been done to his granddaughter. His advice to Absalom was razor-sharp and viciously on point. From instructing the prince to claim his father’s concubines (16:20-22) to devising a sound and crafty plan that would have allowed Ahithophel himself to personally slay David with a minimum of extemporaneous bloodshed (17:1-3), it is evident that Ahithophel wanted above all else to see David humiliated and dead. His bitterness had consumed him, and he was single-minded in his purpose.
Ahithophel’s suicide offers us one last sad look at what can happen to a life that has been consumed by bitterness and hatred. In attempting to destroy David, Ahithophel had destroyed himself.
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes(I John 2:11).
Thought for Today: When we live only for ourselves and our passions, we will inevitably arrive at a dead end in a direction God would not have intended for us to go.
Christ Revealed:Through Mahanaim, a city of refuge where David went when he was fleeing from Absalom (Josh. 21:38; II Sam. 17:27). Christ is our Refuge. We . . . have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the Hope set before us . . . even Jesus (Heb. 6:18,20).
Word Studies:17:8 chafed = angered; 17:17 wench = maidservant; 17:25 host = army; 18:3 succour us out of the city = remain in the city and assist by providing reinforcements; 18:9 taken up = left hanging, suspended.
Pray For Government Official:Rep. Guy Resbhenthaler (PA), Gov. Greg Gianforte (MT) • Country: Kyrgyzstan (5,548,042) Eastern Central Asia • Major Langages: Kirghiz, Russian, Uzbek • Religious Freedom • 75% Muslim; 20% Russian Orthodox; 5% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Draw near to God in prayer with a clean and pure heart (James 4:8).
Optional Reading Acts 18