God's Purpose Prevails Series

Prov 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.”

• Man can make his plans, but ultimately, God’s purpose will prevail.

• David is God’s choice as King of Israel, and he will remain as God’s choice.

Absalom wanted to seize the throne from David, but he will never succeed.

• God’s plan cannot be thwarted. Prov 21:30 “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.”

The last verse we ended with last Sunday reads:

• 2 Sam 15:12 “And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.” It doesn’t look good.

• 15:13-14 - 13A messenger came and told David, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom." 14Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin upon us and put the city to the sword." David has to flee. It really doesn’t look good.

It doesn’t matter. God’s will has not changed. David remains as King. God’s purpose will prevail.

• The sovereign Lord stills preside. Let me show you. 2 Sam 15:30-37

2 Sam 15:30-31 - But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up. 31Now David had been told, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." So David prayed, "O LORD, turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness."

• That’s a simple and sincere prayer. “Lord, frustrate their plan. Let Ahithophel’s advice be a foolish one.”

• Right after this prayer, we see God providing a way. God is going to bring in Hushai, David’s friend, to achieve this purpose.

2 Sam 15:32-37 – When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head. 33David said to him, "If you go with me, you will be a burden to me. 34But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, `I will be your servant, O king; I was your father's servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,' then you can help me by frustrating Ahithophel's advice. 35Won't the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king's palace. 36Their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear." 37So David's friend Hushai arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city.

David arranged for a spy to be positioned near Absalom. He planned for his supporters from within Absalom’s court. He could be kept informed of Absalom’s move.

2 Sam 17:1-14 - Ahithophel said to Absalom, "I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed." 4This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

5 But Absalom said, "Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say." 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, "Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion."

7 Hushai replied to Absalom, "The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, `There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.' 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.

11"So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba-as numerous as the sand on the seashore-be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a piece of it can be found."