2 Samuel 15:31 - Meaning and Application

Nothing, it seems, looked more dangerous to David in Absalom’s rebellion than Ahithophel’s support. In a scheme like this, one wise leader is worth far more than many strong helpers. Absalom himself was not skilled in politics, but he had won over a man who was, and that made the revolt more threatening. Ahithophel knew David’s plans and daily affairs, so if David could defeat him, the whole conspiracy would be badly weakened. David now tries to do that.

He begins with prayer. When he heard that Ahithophel had joined the plot, he lifted his heart to God in this short prayer: “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness” (2 Samuel 15:31). He did not have time for a long prayer, but he was not the kind of man who thought many words made prayer stronger. It was a serious, urgent prayer, asking God to act. God is pleased when people come to him with earnest requests and keep pressing their need before him.

David was also specific. He named the very man whose plans he feared. God allows us to be plain with him in prayer, and to speak about the exact burden, fear, or grief that weighs on us. David did not pray against Ahithophel as a person, but against his advice and scheme. He asked God to make it fail, whether by making the counsel foolish, making it seem foolish, or keeping it from reaching its goal.

David prayed this with confidence that God can control every heart and every tongue. Scripture says God can take away the understanding of the old and make rulers foolish (Job 12:17; Isaiah 3:2, 3). He also hoped that God would defend his just cause. We may pray in faith, and we should pray earnestly, that God would turn into foolishness any counsel made against his people.

David also acted wisely. We must support our prayers with our efforts, or else we are tempting God. It is good service to work against the plans of the church’s enemies. When David reached the top of the mount, he worshiped God (2 Samuel 15:32). Tears should not stop worship, they should stir it up. At this time he also wrote Psalm 3, as the title shows, and some think he sang it there as his act of worship.

Right then, God’s providence brought Hushai to him. While David was still speaking, God heard and sent the very man who could help ruin Ahithophel’s counsel. Hushai had come to share David’s grief, with his clothes torn and dust on his head. But David trusted his judgment and loyalty, so he decided to use him as a spy in Jerusalem. David would not take him along (2 Samuel 15:33), because he needed soldiers more than advisers.

Instead, David sent Hushai back to Jerusalem to wait for Absalom’s arrival, acting as if he had deserted David and offered his service (2 Samuel 15:34). In that way, Hushai might get close to Absalom’s advisers and help defeat Ahithophel, either by steering Absalom away from Ahithophel’s plan or by warning David about it so he could stay prepared. How this open deception, which David put Hushai into, can be fully defended, I do not see. The best way to understand it is that Absalom, since he had rebelled against his father, had to be on guard against everyone, and if he chose to be deceived, that was his own doing.

David then recommended Hushai to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, as a man they should consult with (2 Samuel 15:35). He also arranged for their two sons to carry messages to him, as trusted messengers (2 Samuel 15:36). Hushai followed these instructions and came to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:37), where Absalom soon arrived with his forces too. How quickly royal palaces and royal cities can change hands. But we look for a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and whose possession cannot be taken from us.