2 Samuel 17:1 - Meaning and Application

Absalom now had peaceful control of Jerusalem. The royal palace was his, along with the seats of judgment, even the thrones of David’s house. His good father had ruled in Hebron, and only over the tribe of Judah, for more than seven years, and he had not rushed to destroy his rival. David’s rule rested on God’s promise, and he was sure that promise would be fulfilled in God’s time, so he waited patiently in the meantime.

But Absalom, this young man, not only hurried from Hebron to Jerusalem, he was impatient there until he had destroyed his father. He could not be content with the throne unless he also had his father’s life. His government was built on sin, so it felt unstable and thought it had to use violence for everything. It is not so surprising that a wicked man like Absalom would try to take the life of such a good father, since there are monsters in human nature. But it is very shocking that the people of Israel, who had received so many blessings from David, would join him in the attempt. Even so, their fathers had often rebelled against Moses. The best parents and the best rulers should not be surprised if those who ought to support them instead bring them pain, when they remember what sons and what subjects David himself had.

David and everyone who stayed loyal to him had to be destroyed. As far as we can tell, this was agreed on with no dissent at all. No one dared bring up David’s own worth or the great good he had done for the nation. No one even dared ask, “Why, what evil has he done to lose his crown, much less his head?” No one dared suggest that exile would be enough for now, or that messengers should be sent to ask him to give up the crown. Since he had left the city so quietly, they may have thought he would easily be persuaded. Not long before, Absalom himself had fled because of a crime, and David had been content to let him stay in exile, though Absalom deserved death. David had even mourned for him and longed for him. Yet Absalom was so completely without natural affection that he thirsted eagerly for his own father’s blood. It was beyond question that David must be destroyed. The only question was how.

Ahithophel advised that they pursue David at once, that very night, with a fast-moving army, which he himself would command. He argued that they should strike only the king and scatter his forces, and then the people who now supported David would naturally side with Absalom. In that way, there would not be a long war, such as had happened between Saul’s house and David’s house (2 Samuel 17:1-3). This shows that Absalom had clearly made his goal David’s life, and Ahithophel agreed with him. The shepherd would be struck, and the sheep would scatter and become easy prey for the wolf.

In this way, he tried to make the war short by attacking neither small nor great, but only the king of Israel. He also tried to end it quickly by striking at once. Nothing could have been more dangerous to David than this plan. It was sadly true that David was weary and weak-handed, and that even a small thing might frighten him. Otherwise, he would not have fled his house at the first rumor of Absalom’s rebellion. It was quite likely that a sudden attack, especially at night, would throw his small force into confusion. Then it would be easy to strike the king only, and the matter would be finished. The whole nation would then be brought under Absalom, and, Ahithophel said, all the people would be at peace. See how usurpers call a general ruin “general peace.” The devil’s palace is also “at peace” while he, like a strong armed man, keeps it. Compare this plot with Caiaphas’ plot against the Son of David, Jesus Christ, to crush his cause by destroying him. “Let one man die for the people” (John 11:50). “Kill the heir, and the inheritance will be ours” (Matthew 21:38). But the advice of both men was turned into foolishness.

Still, the children of light may learn wisdom from the children of this world in their own generation. Whatever our hand finds to do, we should do it quickly and with all our strength. It is wise to be active and prompt, and not to waste time, especially in spiritual warfare. If Satan runs from us, we should keep pressing our advantage.

Those who have plotted against kings have usually kept up appearances by speaking only against evil advisers and calling those men to account, saying, “The king himself can do no wrong, it is his advisers.” But Absalom’s shameless evil aimed directly at the king, and at the king alone. Amazingly, the words “I will strike the king only” pleased Absalom (2 Samuel 17:4). He had no sense of shame left, no virtue left, and no reluctance to show such a cruel and monstrous plan. What good can stand before the heat of raging ambition?

Hushai then advised them not to rush after David, but to take time, gather all their strength, and then overwhelm him with numbers, instead of trying to catch him by surprise as Ahithophel had suggested. Hushai really meant to help David and his cause. He wanted time to send David word about what was happening, so David could gather an army and move into the regions beyond the Jordan, where Absalom likely had less influence because they were farther away. At this moment, nothing would help David more than time to act, and so Hushai urged Absalom not to do anything rash, but to move carefully and make sure of victory by making sure of strength.

Absalom gave Hushai a fair chance to advise him. All the elders of Israel approved Ahithophel’s counsel, yet God overruled Absalom’s heart so that he did not act on it until he had asked Hushai (2 Samuel 17:5). “Let us hear what he says.” Absalom thought he was being wise, because two heads are better than one. But God catches the wise in their own cleverness. See Mr. Poole’s note on this.

Hushai gave very convincing reasons for his view. He argued against Ahithophel’s plan and tried to show the danger of following it. With modesty and great respect for Ahithophel’s well-known reputation, he asked leave to differ from him (2 Samuel 17:7). He admitted that Ahithophel’s counsel is usually the best, and the kind of advice people can trust. But, with respect to that noble adviser, he thought his counsel was not good at this time. It was not safe to risk such a great matter on such a small force and such a quick attack as Ahithophel suggested, especially after remembering Israel’s defeat before Ai (Joshua 7:4). It often brings bad results to look down on an enemy. See how skillfully Hushai reasoned.

He strongly argued that David was a great soldier, a man of skill, courage, and long experience. Everyone knew this and admitted it, even Absalom himself: “Your father is a man of war” (2 Samuel 17:8), “a mighty man” (2 Samuel 17:10). David’s retreat from Jerusalem should be blamed, not on fear, but on wisdom. Ahithophel had judged him too quickly, as if he were weak and worn out.

He also pointed out that David’s attendants, though few, were mighty men (2 Samuel 17:8), brave men (2 Samuel 17:10), famous for their courage and trained in the ways of war. Ahithophel, who may have spent more time in the robe than the sword, would be no match for them. One of them could chase a thousand. They would also be fighting with deep anger against Absalom, who had caused all this trouble. They were stirred up in their hearts and would fight fiercely, so there would be no safe way to stand against them, especially for Absalom’s side, which was made up mostly of inexperienced soldiers. Hushai made David’s men seem as dangerous as Ahithophel had made them seem weak.

He also suggested that David and some of his men might be hiding in ambush, in a pit or some other hidden place, ready to attack Absalom’s army before it knew what was happening. Even a small defeat would panic the rest. At the same time, their own consciences would accuse them of treason against one whom they knew was not only God’s chosen king, but also a man after God’s own heart (2 Samuel 17:9). News of a slaughter among Absalom’s men would quickly spread, and everyone would run for safety. Even Ahithophel, who now seemed bold as a lion, would lose heart completely. In short, Hushai made it seem that dealing with David and his men would be far harder than Ahithophel thought. If Ahithophel failed, they all would be beaten.

Then Hushai gave his own advice and explained it. He urged what he knew would please Absalom’s proud, self-important spirit, even though it would not truly help his cause. First, he said that all Israel should be gathered together, meaning the fighting men from every tribe. Absalom would be delighted just to see them all assembled under his command, as if they all stood with him. Second, Hushai advised Absalom to go into battle himself, as if he were a better soldier than Ahithophel and more fit to lead and win the honor of victory. He also suggested that Ahithophel had slighted Absalom by offering to go without him. It is easy to deceive proud people by praising them and feeding their pride.

Hushai also gave advice that seemed sure to bring success without any danger. If they gathered the large force they expected, then wherever they found David they could crush him. If David were in the open field, they should attack him like dew covering the ground and destroy all his men with him (2 Samuel 17:12). Absalom may have liked the idea of killing David’s followers, since he may have especially disliked some of them, more than Ahithophel’s plan to strike only the king. In this way, Hushai won Absalom by appealing to his revenge as well as his pride. If David were in a city, they should not fear him there either, because they would have enough men, if needed, to pull the city into the river with ropes (2 Samuel 17:13). Strange as that idea was, its novelty made it entertaining, and people liked it because it pleased their imagination.

By these kinds of tricks, Hushai won not only Absalom’s approval, but also the full agreement of the whole war council. They all said that Hushai’s advice was better than Ahithophel’s (2 Samuel 17:14). Here we see how much human planning can accomplish. If Hushai had not been there, Ahithophel’s counsel would surely have stood. Even though all had spoken, nothing could have been more in Absalom’s interest than what Ahithophel proposed. Still, Hushai’s careful managing turned them all his way, and none of them realized that he was really speaking for David’s benefit. So they all echoed his words. This shows how easily the unwary are deceived by the clever, how people in power often use one another, and how much trickery can shape courts and councils.

We also see how much more God’s providence can do. Hushai used skill, but the outcome is traced to God, who worked on the minds of those involved. The Lord had determined to defeat Ahithophel’s good counsel. That is a comfort to all who fear God. He turns hearts wherever he wills, like streams of water, even when people do not understand his purpose. He stands among the mighty ones, rules over all councils, and has the final word in every plan. He laughs at human schemes against his anointed.