17:1 Ahithophel and Absolam begin a vehement effort against David. They amass a fierce army against him. This is not a new experience for David. Saul, too, tried to kill David to secure his position as king. We have already learned that the selfish efforts of evil are futile against God the protection God provides to his righteous children.
David has massive imperfections. He has made serious and terrible mistakes. Yet his persistence in faith has helped him to grow and journey from the worst parts of him. Because David has been willing to confront and learn from his mistakes, he retains the protection and order of God's will. From David we learn that no matter how vicious our enemy is, they cannot match the ferocity of God. And when an evil person goes against a children of God, they confront God Himself.
17:2 The plot to attack David while he is weary and weak, not factoring into the situation the faith that makes David resilient and strong in every moment. Because our enemies continuously neglect the fact that we are made strong by God when others try to enfeeble us, 2 Corinthians 12:10.
How cowardly of them to attack a sole and weary man! David charged into numerous battles against the evil without such cowardice because he allowed himself to be raised, disciplined and instructed by God. God enabled David to destroy evil face-to-face, when the opponent is most ready. With a little stone and a lot of faith, he leveled a giant.
Goliath, Saul and Absalom all evidence to us the truth of Paul's words in Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Each of the aforementioned men represent an underlying issue: Injustice itself. Corruption itself. Evil itself. David has remained on the side of righteousness throughout them all. Perhaps he begins to realize that the thorns need not be removed so much as the roots do.For God has flicked these men out of existence since the beginning and though evil persists, His ultimate effort is to uproot it. Cut off its source, not just the men who work for it.
It's important for us to contrast the difference between Absalom and David. Absalom uses deceit and cheap shots to establish himself... but corruption is unstable. Though he looks strong and thinks he is winning, he is simply providing God an opportunity to show just how fruitless his attempts really are.
Ahithophel counts on the cowardice of David's followers but neglects to acknowledge the cowardice of himself and Absalom. For evil does not, cannot, understand the strength and courage of a child of God. In the previous chapter, David offered to release his supporters already, to free them from conflict, but they chose to remain and fight for justice by standing firmly against injustice.
7:3-4 Ahithophel declares to Absalom that he will bring back defeated loyalists of David as servants of Absalom. He falsely believes that through corruption he can bring peace. The fickle crowd of the elders of Israel switch allegiance. David can only count confidently on God. We must trust God to love us, value us, protect us. David does not rely on the love and support of his kingdom because He knows that his relationship with God determines the condition and future of his life.
Might it have hurt David to lose the support of the people he loved and led so well? Very likely. But it did not kill his spirit. David trusts the will of God above everything else. Above his own feelings. Above the opinion of people. And so while the majority is convinced against David, David is not outnumbered because he stands with God... and therefore is stronger than them all.
17:5-6 Hushai (David's spy) is approached by Absalom. Absalom asks his advice: should he follow Ahithopel's plan to kill his father and scatter his men? Hushai is in a difficult position as he cannot reveal his true loyalties but also cannot allow a plot against David.
17:7-10 Hushai therefore uses truth and common logic to refute Ahithopel's plan. He states that David is a strong man, well-versed in combat, and not likely out in the open to be killed so easily. Moreover, he reminds Absalom that David has the motivation to strongly defend himself and his family; the destruction Absalom has caused has enraged David.
17:11-13 Hushai tries to convince Absalom to go into battle himself, rather than send others. Hushai buys time by also encouraging Absalom to build a wider population of support.
17:14 Absalom and the men of Israel choose Hushai's advice over Ahithophel's which was actually strategic unwise: For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom. Now that Absalom would go into battle, he can be removed. The adviser may not have been foolish in this moment, as David had wished, but his advised were foolish: they choose the more dangerous course of action.
17:7-10 Hushai therefore uses truth and common logic to refute Ahithopel's plan. He states that David is a strong man, well-versed in combat, and not likely out in the open to be killed so easily. Moreover, he reminds Absalom that David has the motivation to strongly defend himself and his family; the destruction Absalom has caused has enraged David.
17:11-13 Hushai tries to convince Absalom to go into battle himself, rather than send others. Hushai buys time by also encouraging Absalom to build a wider population of support.
17:14 Absalom and the men of Israel choose Hushai's advice over Ahithophel's which was actually strategic unwise: For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom. Now that Absalom would go into battle, he can be removed. The adviser may not have been foolish in this moment, as David had wished, but his advised were foolish: they choose the more dangerous course of action.
17:15-16 Hushai passes on the information to Zadok and Abiathar who will warn David to flee from where he is before the army approaches him.
17:17-19 Loyalists to David, Jonathan and Ahimaaz are discovered by Absalom. They evade capture through a woman's well; she covers their escape tracks.
17:20 The woman directs Absalom's servants in the wrong direction.
17:21-22 David and his men are able to cross over the Jordan, away from Absalom.
17:23 Ahithophel leaves and kills himself after Absalom chooses not to follow his advice. Likely Ahithophel understood that their course of action would lead to David's victory. As a betrayer of a king, he probably saw no future for himself.
17:24-26 While David reaches Mahanaim, Absalom and his men cross the Jordan in pursuit of David and his men. Absalom names the captain of his army: a man named Amasa. Absalom comes to the land of Gilead.
17:27-29 David finds rest and abundant provision from three men: Shobi, Machir and Barzillai. God always provides! God ensures that David and his men have the rest and strength they will need to face the army currently pursuing them. In desperate situations, trust God to orchestrate your victory, your rescue and ensure your strength.
17:17-19 Loyalists to David, Jonathan and Ahimaaz are discovered by Absalom. They evade capture through a woman's well; she covers their escape tracks.
17:20 The woman directs Absalom's servants in the wrong direction.
17:21-22 David and his men are able to cross over the Jordan, away from Absalom.
17:23 Ahithophel leaves and kills himself after Absalom chooses not to follow his advice. Likely Ahithophel understood that their course of action would lead to David's victory. As a betrayer of a king, he probably saw no future for himself.
17:24-26 While David reaches Mahanaim, Absalom and his men cross the Jordan in pursuit of David and his men. Absalom names the captain of his army: a man named Amasa. Absalom comes to the land of Gilead.
17:27-29 David finds rest and abundant provision from three men: Shobi, Machir and Barzillai. God always provides! God ensures that David and his men have the rest and strength they will need to face the army currently pursuing them. In desperate situations, trust God to orchestrate your victory, your rescue and ensure your strength.
