2 SAMUEL 17 - RESTING IN THE HANDS OF THE LORD
2 Samuel 17
Throughout the bible we find promises that God defends the righteous but opposes the wicked. As we read in Psalm 37:12-13
The wicked plots against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him,
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.
As Absalom’s plot against David continues, the bible allows us to see behind the scenes as God is actively opposing the wicked, but providing protection to David and those who have remained loyal. Absalom seeks counsel from Ahithophel (a traitor who previously advised David, but has become chief counsel to Absalom). He advises Absalom to quickly pursue David and put an end to his opposition. But Absalom also seeks the counsel of Hushai, who has remained behind as a spy for David.
And the Bible tells us in 2 Samuel 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 ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring harm upon Absalom.
The Bible even acknowledges that the counsel of Ahithophel was good counsel. But as Psalm 34:15-16 tells us:
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
We are given a very vivid picture of this reality and the end of the wicked, proving that a guilty conscience needs no accuser. We are told in verse 23:
When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.
In contrast, throughout the chapter we find God both supplying and refreshing David while also preparing the way for his future return.
It is all a beautiful reminder of all of God’s promises as summarized in Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
While we may not always see all that God is doing, we can rest in His promises and trust in His faithfulness.
As Galatians 6:9 reminds us, and David will soon experience:
….let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.