Mar 19 (2 Sam 17-18)

2nd Samuel 17

In 2 Sam 15:31 David prayed to the LORD that Ahithophel woud give foolish advice to Absalom. However, his advice was brilliant...why didn't the LORD answer David's prayer? To David, his request made sense, but God had other plans with the same result. God had Hushai act as a double agent, and hand all of Absalom's men over to David in one battle, instead of only a portion.

I remind my kids that God doesn't need our advice on how to do things...and He knows what is best for us. He does want us to call on Him and ask Him for His guidance, but as far as the timing of things, and the way they work out, that is His doing, not ours.

(v.15) Hushai was able to buy David and his people time...time to regroup and cross over the river.

(v.19) Again, God has a courageous woman save two of His people like Hagar did in Joshua 2.

(v.23) Why did Ahithophel hang himself?

~ Ahithophel had a son named Eliam, who had a daughter named Bathsheba...he was the grandfather of the woman whom David took as his wife by killing her husband! It's safe to say that Ahithophel hated David, and he feared that he would be killed once David regained the throne.

Unfortunately, we will never know if David would've shown mercy upon Ahithophel. Ahithophel's anger cost him his own life.

2nd Samuel 18

(v.2) David prepares for battle, and gives out a word of comfort, much like our LORD says to us:

Lo, I am with you always ~ Matt 28:20

David wanted to fight with his people, but they convinced him, that if he were captured or slain, the loss would be too great.

I remind my kids that Absalom was famous for his long and full hair...he would have won "Best Hair" in school every year! It was Absalom's pride that killed him...his hair got caught in the brush.

Joab killed Absalom himself...why did he disobey his king's direct order? I don't know for sure, but perhaps Joab didn't want his collusion with Absalom to be known, or he just knew that Absalom would continue to divide the kingdom if he was still alive.

(v.17) Absalom was covered in stones, which was the punishment for rebellious sons in Deut 21:18-21

Anyone who has lost a child can relate to the mourning of David. Even prodigal sons that rebelled are still loved and mourned when they die so young. But Joab gave David some tough love and a pep talk. All of Israel would've reacted to David's state of mind. David needed to praise and thank all that fought for him, instead of focusing on just one person.