2 Samuel 17

Ahithophel had begun to advise Absalom, and there was a certain power to his worldly wisdom. Who would stop this man? David had a friend in the inner circle of his son's cabinet. The moment came for Hushai the Archite to lead Absalom away from the sensible pragmatism of Ahithophel.

The battles that we fight in this world are fought first in our souls. Ahithophel aimed to isolate and defeat David quickly during his time of weakness. His strategy was to win the souls of Israel for Absalom by speedily showing them that only one man, David, needed to die. All the rest of his fighting men could be welcomed back into the service of the new king, Absalom, once David was killed.

Hushai needed to defeat this counsel. He did so by speaking of David's greatness as a warrior in a way that brought fear into the heart of Absalom. According to Hushai, Ahithophel's advice was not good this time. “You know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged.” This message to Absalom's soul was a powerful blow. He began to be afraid, and to believe that only an overwhelming call to arms throughout the whole nation could bring about David's defeat. “Your father is expert in war.” The subtle but stubborn fact that Absalom was left to consider was that he was no match for his father.

These words of Hushai were effective. As we read this account, we are not left to wonder about the reason for Hushai's success. “The Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom.”

All that remained was to get word to David about what had transpired and to advise him to cross the Jordan immediately with all his men. God provided for David and his kingdom in exile. He gave them friends who were willing to risk their lives in order to get word to the king. He also moved the hearts of men on the other side of the Jordan who brought David and his men the provisions that they needed to survive.

The soul of Ahithophel was overwhelmed by what had transpired, but David and his men were kept alive, body and soul. The Lord was on their side. He had determined to defeat the powerful counsel of Ahithophel, filling Absalom and his advisers with the fear of David.

When the Son of David, Jesus, came to establish the resurrection kingdom, He heard the good counsel of His Father and obeyed it. Enemies on every side would have wanted to vex His soul and to send Him into despair, but Jesus guarded His heart, knowing that the battle for life and godliness is fought first within the soul.

We who would follow Him must strengthen our hearts with the good word of His amazing excellence. Jesus is the Son of God. He knows how to win every battle against evil. He cannot be stopped. Even when His enemies seem to overwhelm the righteous, their victory cannot endure. Even if they succeed in vexing our souls and filling our hearts with fear for a season, they cannot defeat the purposes of heaven. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.