793 - Ahithophel Advises Absalom

Ahithophel Advises Absalom


Absalom, and all the army of Israel, arrived at Jerusalem, accompanied by Ahithophel. 


When David’s friend, Hushai, the Arkite, arrived, he went immediately to see Absalom. 


“Long live the king!” he exclaimed. 


“Long live the king!” 


“Is this the way you treat your friend, David?” Absalom asked him. 


“Why aren’t you with him?” 


…and Hushai replied, “I’m here, because I belong to the man, who is chosen, by the Lord, and by all the men, of Israel.” 


“And anyway, why shouldn’t I serve you? 


Just as I was your father’s adviser, now I will be your adviser!” 


Then, Absalom turned to Ahithophel, and asked him, 

“What should I do next?” 


Ahithophel told him, 

“Go and sleep with your father’s concubines, for he has left them here, to look after the palace. 


Then all Israel will know, that you have insulted your father, beyond hope of reconciliation, and they will throw their support to you.” 


So, they set up a tent, on the palace roof, where everyone could see it, and Absalom went in, and had sex, with his father’s concubines. 


Absalom followed Ahithophel’s advice, just as David had done. 


For every word, that Ahithophel spoke seemed, as wise, as though it had come directly from the mouth of God. 

 

Now, Ahithophel urged Absalom, 


“Let me choose 12,000 men, to start out after David, tonight. 


I will catch up with him, while he is weary and discouraged. 


He and his troops will panic, and everyone will run away. 


Then, I will kill only the king, and I will bring all the people, back to you, as a bride returns to her husband. 


After all, it is only one man’s life that you seek. 


Then, you will be at peace, with all the people.” 


This plan seemed good, to Absalom, and to all the elders of Israel. 


2 Samuel 16:15–17:4 (NLT)


Praise be to God!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Moses Chooses Seventy Leaders

​ Moses Chooses Seventy Leaders The Lord said to Moses,  “Gather before Me …seventy men, who are recognized, as elders and leaders of Israel.  Bring them to the Tabernacle, to stand there with you.  I will come down and talk to you there.  I will take some of the Spirit …that is upon you, and I will put this Spirit, upon them.  They will bear the burden, of the people, along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.  “And say to the people,  ‘Purify yourselves, for tomorrow you will have meat to eat.  You were whining, and the Lord heard you when you cried…  “Oh, for some meat!  We were better off in Egypt!”  Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will have to eat it.  And it won’t be for just a day …or two, or for five, or ten, or even twenty.  You will eat it for a whole month until you gag and are sick of it.  For you have rejected the Lord, Who is here among you, and you have whined to Him, saying,  “Why did we ever leave Egypt?” ’ ”  But Moses responded to the Lord,  “Th
Read more

1088 - A History of the Priests and Levites

A History of the Priests and Levites Here is the list of the priests and Levites, who returned, with Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua, the high priest: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Harim, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah, Miniamin, Moadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. So, these were the leaders, of the priests, and their associates, in the days of Jeshua. Now, the Levites, who returned, with them, were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who ….with his associates, was in charge, of the songs, of thanksgiving.  Their associates, Bakbukiah and Unni, stood opposite them, during the service. Jeshua the high priest was the father of Joiakim. Joiakim was the father of Eliashib. Eliashib was the father of Joiada. Joiada was the father of Johanan. Johanan was the father of Jaddua. So, when Joiakim was high priest, the family leaders, of the priests, were as follows: Meraiah was leader of
Read more

1046 - Israel Celebrates Passover

Israel Celebrates Passover When everything was ready for the Passover celebration, the priests and the Levites took their places, organized by their divisions, as the king had commanded.  The Levites then slaughtered the Passover lambs …and presented the blood to the priests, who sprinkled the blood on the altar, while the Levites prepared the animals.  They divided the burnt offerings, among the people, by their family groups, so they could offer them to the Lord, as prescribed, in the Book of Moses.  They did the same with the cattle.  Then, they roasted the Passover lambs, as prescribed; and they boiled the holy offerings… in pots, kettles, and pans, …and they brought them out quickly, so the people could eat them.  Afterward, the Levites prepared Passover offerings, for themselves and for the priests—the descendants of Aaron—because the priests had been busy, from morning till night, offering the burnt offerings, and the fat portions.  The Levites took responsibility for all these
Read more