Today I read 2 Samuel 17, where the advice of Hushai is chosen over the advice of Ahithophel. Today I considered that Absalom took the bad advice that would harm him, and this war is family fighting family so everyone will eventually lose.
Hushai vs Ahithophel
Absalom chooses the advice of Hushai over the advice of Ahithophel and relatives are now on both sides of the war (2 Samuel 17:1-29). Ahithophel said to have 12,000 men chase down David while he is tired so the people with him would flee. Then they can only kill David and everyone else will return in peace. Hushai said David and his men were mighty men that will fight like a mother bear and may not even be staying with the people. Hushai told them if you lose people in battle now you may lose the heart of the people. Hushai told Absalom to gather all of Israel to fight and go to battle with them. With so many people they could even take down a city if David hid in one. Absalom agrees with Hushai. Hushai give information to the priests to have David pass over the Jordan now. The priests’ sons hid in a well and then passed on the information to David. Because Absalom did not listen to Ahithophel, Ahithophel settled his affairs and killed himself. Absalom made his cousin Amasa (Nahash’s grandchild), also a cousin of Joab over the army. When David and his people made it to Mahanaim, Nahash’s son Shobi provided food and supplies for them. Nahash’s family was now aiding both sides.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Absalom took bad advice. He could have won with less people and little bloodshed if he acted immediately while people were tired. He chose the position he felt was more powerful and mighty. The choice was between sending warriors quickly versus being over leading all of Israel to battle. Sometimes a swift response to fix a problem or issue is the best response.
When have you seen an issue get worse over time and wished you had done something about it at the beginning?
Absalom against David was son against father. Then both are receiving aid from the same branches of the family like Nahash’s relatives aiding both sides. It is not good to put family in a position concerning aiding one side or the other. The family ultimately looses.
What is the result you have seen when one side of the family is against the other?