2 Samuel

2 Samuel 17: The LORD defeats Ahithophel’s counsel

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Ahithophel’s plan, let us come before the LORD together. Ask Him to show us that no plan can stand against Him, and to help us trust Him.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. Put your trust in Yahweh.

Psalm 4:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You defeated Ahithophel’s counsel, and show us Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor. Help us to trust Your plan more than our own. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Ahithophel asks to pursue David at once with twelve thousand men, while David is weary and afraid. Absalom asks Hushai for his view, and Hushai advises gathering all Israel and going to battle in person. Absalom and the men of Israel choose Hushai’s counsel, because the LORD had ordained to defeat Ahithophel’s plan. Hushai sends word through Zadok and Abiathar, and their sons carry it to David. A woman hides them in a well at Bahurim, and David crosses the Jordan before morning. Ahithophel goes home and takes his own life, and David is brought food at Mahanaim.

As you read 2 Samuel 17, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD defeats Ahithophel’s good counsel, and David’s people cross the Jordan safely.

Absalom now holds Jerusalem, and he asks his advisers what to do about David (verses 1 and 5). Ahithophel advises a quick attack on David while he is weary and afraid (verses 1 and 2). Absalom asks Hushai, David’s friend, for his advice (verses 5 to 7). Hushai advises a slower plan that gathers all Israel and puts Absalom in the battle himself (verses 11 to 13). Absalom and the men of Israel choose Hushai’s counsel (verse 14). The text says the LORD had ordained to defeat Ahithophel’s good counsel (verse 14). Hushai’s messengers hide in a well, and every one of David’s people crosses the Jordan by morning (verses 17 to 22). So the plan against David failed, and he and his people were kept safe. Christ is the Wonderful Counselor, whose plan for His people stands (Isaiah 9 verse 6).

How does 2 Samuel 17 show us that the LORD defeats Ahithophel’s good counsel, and that David’s people cross the Jordan safely?

A quick plan of evil can seem wise.

Ahithophel wants twelve thousand men to attack David at once (verses 1 to 3). He says the people will be at peace if the king alone is struck (verses 2 and 3). Absalom and the elders like the plan (verse 4).

The LORD defeats Ahithophel’s counsel.

Hushai advises a slower plan (verses 11 to 13). Absalom and the men of Israel choose it, because the LORD ordained to defeat Ahithophel’s counsel (verse 14). Hushai sends word to David by Zadok and Abiathar, and the messengers hide in a well (verses 15 to 21).

David’s people are kept and fed, and Christ is the Wonderful Counselor.

David’s people cross the Jordan before morning, and not one is lost (verse 22). At Mahanaim men bring beds, food and water to David and his tired people (verses 27 to 29). The chapter does not say the LORD sent this help, but David and his people are cared for. Christ is the Wonderful Counselor, whose plan for His people stands (Isaiah 9 verse 6).

Memorise

Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom.

2 Samuel 17:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what plan do I need to give to the LORD?

Ahithophel’s plan looked wise, but the LORD defeated it. David’s people crossed the Jordan by morning, and not one of them was lost. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, and His plan for His people stands.

No wise plan of man can take away sin, because only God can do that. Jesus gave His life on the cross for His people, and nothing is left for them to pay. God raised Him from the grave, and He lives.

So come to Him, the Counselor whose plan stands. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven and made clean, and no plan of men can take them from Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD defeated Ahithophel’s counsel, and that David’s people crossed the Jordan safely. Parents, please explain that “evil” in verse 14 means disaster, and explain Ahithophel’s death in verse 23. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He defeated Ahithophel’s counsel, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

Psalm 37:39

Lord God, thank You that You defeated Ahithophel’s counsel, and that no plan can stand against You. Thank You for Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, who gave His life for His people. Lead each one here to turn from sin and rest in Jesus. Help us to trust Your plan this week, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.