2 Samuel 16: 1 – 23
Street Smart
16 When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, “What do you mean to do with these?” So Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink.” 3 Then the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’ ” 4 So the king said to Ziba, “Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!” 5 Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came. 6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! 8 The LORD has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!” 9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!” 10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ” 11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him. 12 It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” 13 And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust. 14 Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so, they refreshed themselves there. 15 Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him. 16 And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17 So Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” 18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.” 20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give advice as to what we should do.” 21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23 Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
A friend of mine use to be a gang leader in New York City. After giving his life to our Lord Jesus Christ, he came to church and gave up the two guns that he also carried. Like him I grew up on the streets and we can laugh today from witnessing other people who do not have a clue on what is really going on. On many occasions he has shared with me stories of how his two sons almost get into serious trouble because they lack street smarts.
Being street smart is an important skill to have and a good way to take care of yourself. It is a jungle out there and if you are not prepared and understand the landscape in which you are ready to tread upon you may find yourself in deep waters.
Unless you have a good working knowledge of the area in which you want to travel to you can face extreme danger. You need to research neighborhoods, transport systems, and emergency services in whatever area you find yourself in. If you are smart you always need to avoid dangerous spots and situations and stay as alert as possible . Always trust your instincts and err on the side of caution.
Avoid wearing headphones while you are out. While it may be enjoyable to listen to music while you walk around, it is best to stay as alert as possible. Not being able to hear your surroundings will make you vulnerable to accidents or attacks. If you absolutely have to listen to music or other audio while you're out, use only one earphone or play it at a very low volume.
Do not look at your phone while you are walking. Your phone can be incredibly distracting, between social media, games, text messages, phone calls, and viral videos. Put your phone away while you are on the move so that you can keep your head up and concentrate on your surroundings. If you do need to check your phone, stop and look at it quickly to avoid putting yourself at risk for an accident, pickpocketing, or other incident.
Learn to recognize potential dangers. Staying alert means noticing things that may cause you harm and avoiding them accordingly. As you travel, look out for potential dangers and keep track of them vigilantly. In particular, steer clear of:
. Parked vans
. Groups or individuals loitering
. Anyone who seems to be disguising their face
Trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy or uncomfortable in a situation, get away immediately. Regardless of whether you have reason to suspect trouble, always trust your gut. If someone's behavior has you on alert, excuse yourself and leave promptly so they do not have a chance to talk you out of it
Always carry your phone with you. Being able to communicate or call for help is an important part of keeping yourself safe. If an expensive smartphone and cellular contract is too much for your budget, opt for a basic "burner" phone that you can carry with you in case of emergencies. If you can, program a list of emergency numbers into your phone for easy access.
Travel with friends when possible. There is safety in numbers, so avoid travelling alone when you can. Ask family members or friends to join you for walks, outings, or to run errands. Having company will likely make the commute more enjoyable and make you a less likely target for negative attention.
Avoid dark and isolated places. It is always best to stick to well-lit, populated streets when you are out. Do not take short cuts through dark alleys or wooded areas, even if it will make your trip much faster. Avoid hanging out in places that will be abandoned after a certain time of day, like schoolyards, parks, and parking garages.
If you do have to go to dark and isolated places, go with someone else or speak to someone over the phone while you are there.
Never go anywhere with a stranger. Whether you are a child or an adult, it is important to be careful when interacting with strangers. Aim to stay at least an arm's length away from someone you don't know and avoid approaching a stranger's car if they call you over. Under no circumstances should you follow a stranger, regardless if they ask for help or claim to know you.
Know the location of nearby "safe spots." Take note of nearby police stations, fire stations, or hospitals in case of an emergency. It is also wise to note what businesses in the area are open late, on the off chance that you find yourself in need of help at night. Keep track of what friends live nearby, so that you can go to their homes if you need help.
Run to these places if you feel threatened or unsafe.
If you are in imminent danger and there are no "safe spots" in sight, call the police for help.
Run and shout if you feel threatened. Never hesitate to make noise and remove yourself from a situation that you feel unsafe in. If you feel threatened, run away as fast as you can towards a police station, hospital, or nearby business for help. Yell as loudly as you can to get the attention of people nearby, which will generally dissuade a potential assailant from pursuing you.
Stick to your regular routes whenever possible. It is best to travel down streets that you know well and on buses or trains that you are familiar with. Always opt for the route that you know to be safe instead of venturing into the unknown. Avoid taking new paths to work, school, or home if you can.
Chart your trips online. Use Google maps or the GPS on your phone to plot out your journey to a new place before going there. Note the directions for driving, walking, or public transport. Take a screenshot of the directions so that you can refer to them easily later.
Learn everything you can about the public transportation system. Knowing how to get yourself around a city is an important part of being street smart. A good knowledge of bus, subway, and train routes will allow you to get places quickly. It will also help you find an out if you find yourself in a location or situation that you want to escape.
Do not deviate from your destination. As a rule, it is always best to stick to your original destination when commuting or travelling. This allows your friends and loved ones to know where you are or where you will be. Stick to your original destination instead of wandering or changing your plans last minute, which can lead to unexpected trouble.
Absalom, David’s son grew up a spoiled brat along with the rest of his siblings. We see this happen today if we look around at popular and wealthy people. They grow up thinking that they are above all other people and have expectations that they should be treated as such.
David as you know grew up like we did on the streets or may I say out in the country fields. He had to take care of himself and learn firsthand the dangers that are out there. Absalom did not have any street smarts and was therefore vulnerable to the ways of intrigue. Recognizing that he was not in his father’s will in succeeding him as king he decided to arrange a coup. When David had learned of his son’s conspiracy he understood completely the situation and all possibilities that could happen. To protect the rest of his family and other innocent residents of Jerusalem he decided to leave town. We now pick up on David’s flight.
16 When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
As David’s caravan including his household continued forward down the other side of the Mount of Olives, they were met by Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth who had brought a team of asses laden with provisions suitable for wilderness travelling. These included bread, raisins and figs together with some wine.
We must recognize that at the precise time when Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, arrived with his provisions, David was not thinking straightly. Had he been he would have realized that the likelihood that Mephibosheth really thought that Absalom would establish him on the throne was not a real possibility. All knew that Absalom would not have gone to all the trouble that he had gone to all the trouble to see someone else put on the throne. Rather he was himself claiming the throne as a son of David. Nor would it have been likely that Mephibosheth would seriously have expected that Israel would agree to a total cripple like himself taking the throne. They had never considered it before, even immediately after Ishbosheth’s death, why should they then consider it now, especially when they had available Absalom the darling of the people? And this was especially so as all knew that any king at this time would need to be a capable warrior.
But it is being made clear to us by this that Absalom’s rebellion had shaken David’s confidence to such an extent that he just did not know what to believe. He was beginning to feel that he could believe anything about anyone. Thus, when Ziba told him that that was what Mephibosheth had said he appears to have believed it, with the result that he assured Ziba that from now on all that pertained to the traitor Mephibosheth would be his. Ziba obsequiously expressed his gratitude, but he above all must have known that if Mephibosheth survived he would have an account to give. Possibly he hoped that Mephibosheth would be slaughtered during the civil war, or by Absalom because he saw him as a threat. Then he would be in the clear. But it was undoubtedly the most unlikely of arguments. It only succeeded because David’s mind was in a whirl and also on other things. He did have rather a lot to think about.
2 And the king said to Ziba, “What do you mean to do with these?” So Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink.”
While David’s party would hardly have been suffering from a scarcity of food at this initial stage of the flight, (they had just left a well-stocked palace), it would be the thought behind the gift that moved David’s heart most. It came at a time when he was glad to have friends. But what puzzled him was the absence of Mephibosheth.
3 Then the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’
So he asked Ziba where his master was. Ziba’s reply was that Mephibosheth had remained in Jerusalem claiming he was expecting that Israel would now set him on the throne of his father. After all, as the son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth was theoretically the heir apparent to Saul.
But the king was not at this time himself, for he already felt himself to be a man betrayed by his own flesh and blood, and a man in that state sees betrayers everywhere. That explains why he was seemingly able to believe anything and was grateful for any proof of friendship shown by anyone. He therefore believed Ziba’s words and granted to him all that he had previously put at Mephibosheth’s disposal. Understandably Ziba then made obeisance to David and expressed gratitude for his favor.
Ziba did not, however, himself go with David. He returned back to his sons and presumably to Mephibosheth, no doubt making some excuse to him for his absence. He was playing both sides off against each other. By remaining with Mephibosheth he was ensuring that he was safe if Absalom succeeded, but meanwhile he had secured his future if David triumphed. When he knew, in fact, that David was returning in triumph he again forsook Mephibosheth and with his sons went, along with Shimei and a thousand Benjaminite’s, to welcome David back. He was so successful in this that in the end David was not sure who was his friend, Ziba or Mephibosheth (he had after all just been betrayed by his own son. How could he be sure of Mephibosheth?), with the result that he shared their property between them.
There is an interesting irony in the fact that having just sent Hushai to deceive Absalom, David was now in his turn totally deceived by Ziba. Perhaps there is intended to be a warning here of the fact that what we do to others will be done to us.
It is one of the signs of the true man of God that when tribulation comes on him he recognizes it as being from the hand of the Lord to do him good, and that was what was happening to David. David had been asleep spiritually, but now he was once more wide awake, recognizing the hand of God in all that was happening.
5 Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came.
Bahurim was the place to which Paltiel had come weeping when his wife Michal was taken from him by Ishbosheth and returned to David, the place at which Abner had curtly commanded him to go back to his home (3.15-16). It was also the place where the spies who would leave Jerusalem would also hide (17.18). It was just beyond the Mount of Olives on the way to the wilderness. That there were many in Israel, especially among the Benjaminite’s, who also resented David comes out in this incident. In some ways Shimei must have been a very brave man, for he alone of all of them expressed their feelings about David to him personally, and that in the face of David’s bodyguard. As a member of the house of Saul and therefore in some way related to Saul he had come out to express the bitterness of the house of Saul against David, and he did it by cursing him. David must have thought, ‘first Mephibosheth and now this man’. It was a reminder to him that although Yahweh had raised him up over the house of Saul, he himself had failed too. The sight of the man standing on the hillside was a reminder of his own failure to obey our Holy God Yahweh. It is probable that Shimei was on a ridge overlooking the road where he felt himself safe from David’s men.
6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
The man then began to hurl stones towards the royal party. They were symbolic rather than intended to cause harm, a symbolic indication that David was dirt, and was not wanted in Israel. David was surrounded by his most valiant warriors, so the stones were unlikely to reach him.
7 Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! 8 The LORD has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!”
The words of his curse are now described for us. It was a call on David to be gone because he was a man of blood and a base fellow. This was one heart that he had certainly not won. His view was that David had come to the throne of Israel by trampling over the blood of all the Saul’s. They had given their lives for Israel, and then David had taken advantage of it to seize the throne, trampling them out of the way. It was, of course incorrect of what had happened, for David had gone out of his way not to harm the house of Saul, but to a member of the family grief stricken at what had happened to his family it did not seem that way. All he had seen was that Saul and his three eldest sons had died gloriously, shedding their blood on Mount Gilboa, that his fourth son Ishbosheth had been cruelly murdered in his own bed, and that Abner his cousin had been assassinated at Hebron. And that was the way in which ‘this man’ had become king. Well, now ‘he’ was himself learning what it was like, for it was clear that even his own son had no longer been able to stand his ways and had rebelled against him and had taken over his kingdom. And it was furthermore clearly Yahweh Himself Who had done it to him because of his sinful behavior and especially because of his bloodthirsty and murderous methods. To Shimei, looking in from the outside and not knowing the true facts, David was a bloodthirsty tyrant who was getting what he deserved. It is often the lot of God’s servants to be misunderstood.
9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!”
Shimei’s words understandably angered David’s men. To curse the king was treason. And Abishai, David’s nephew and one of his generals, turned to David and said, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, I pray you, and take off his head.” To a man of Abishai’s experience climbing up to a ridge would have caused him little difficulty. What he did not realize was that he was in fact by this exemplifying the very attitude which had given David his bad reputation.
10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’
David then turned to Abishai and declared that he wanted nothing to do with the bloodthirsty attitudes of ‘you sons of Zeruiah’. He did not look kindly on the ways of the sons of Zeruiah who were only too ready to remove the opposition by killing them. And he pointed out that all that the man was doing was cursing because he thought that Yahweh had told him to curse David. Who were they to question his reasons? Did he not, a least in his own eyes, have some justification? David was clearly not concerned about a curse that was not justified because the one who cursed had got his facts wrong. He was more concerned not to kill men for little adequate reason. It is a reminder here that although David could slaughter men in battle with the best of them and could carry out any measures that were necessary without cringing, he was not into killing helpless people just because they displeased him.
11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him. 12 It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day.”
Then David revealed something of the grief that was tearing at his own soul, for he called on Abishai to consider what his own true born son was doing to him. Forgetting the ties of blood, he was intent on seeking his life because he had been offended, and to further his own advantage. At least this man Shimei was demonstrating his loyalty to his own family. How much more right he had than Absalom to curse David, for he was a Benjaminite of the house of Saul. So, let him be left alone, and let him curse. It was obvious that Yahweh had bidden him to do it.
David was acknowledging by this the fact that it was coming home to him that he himself had displeased Yahweh. But since the main charge was not true (even though it may have appeared to be true to a relative of Saul who had only heard rumors) it could not hurt him. David’s hope was that Yahweh would look on the wrong accusations which resulted from a false view of the facts, and would, rather than cursing David, return good to him because of the cursing that he was receiving. In other words that He would give him blessing for cursing because the cursing had been unfair.
13 And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust.
So leaving Shimei to his own devices David and his men went on their way, while Shimei walked along on a ridge above them, cursing David, throwing stones, and casting dust. In this way all the pent-up anger of years was being revealed, and there would have been many others who felt similarly. That Shimei was in fact a wealthy man and a man of influence among the Benjaminite’s able to do considerable harm comes out later in that he was able to bring ‘a thousand’ Benjaminite’s to David. He was thus a man who had to be regarded and watched.
14 Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so, they refreshed themselves there.
The hurried flight from Jerusalem with all the organization and rushing around that it had involved had clearly taken its toll on them, and the king’s group therefore decided to take a rest break once they had passed Bahurim. They now felt safer and were beginning to feel the strain of the flight and were already weary. The fact that they did so indicated that David was keenly aware of Absalom’s movements and knew that yet there was no danger. (Messengers were no doubt constantly arriving from loyal supporters). And there they refreshed themselves before proceeding on towards the fords of the Jordan.
Meanwhile Absalom and his revolutionary forces, together with Ahithophel, arrived in Jerusalem, where they were immediately met by Hushai the Archite, advancing towards Absalom crying, ‘Long live the king. Long live the king’ (he just forgot to mention which king).
15 Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him.
The arrival in Jerusalem of Absalom, along with all the people, and with Ahithophel is now described. Absalom and Ahithophel together intend to kill David, Absalom because of what had happened to his sister at the hands of David’s firstborn, which David had done nothing about, and which had been an insult to his royal grandfather, the king of Geshur, and Ahithophel because of the distress that David had brought on his family by his behavior with Bathsheba his granddaughter. It was a powerful combination, and both arose from David’s original sin with Bathsheba.
16 And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
All is quite under control by our Holy God for we observe advancing to meet Absalom is Yahweh’s answer to Ahithophel. For onto the scene comes ‘David’s Friend’ (his official title) crying out ‘Long live the king, long live the king’. This cry was a regular cry recognized as offering official recognition of the king spoken of, but Hushai failed to declare precisely which king he meant.
17 So Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”
Absalom, the traitor, (and thus readily able to appreciate traitors), then made a joke at Hushai’s expense, for Hushai bore the official title of ‘the King’s Friend’, and he asked, ‘Is this how you behave towards your ‘friend’? Why did you not go off with your ‘friend’ into the wilderness?’ But it was clearly not a pressing question as is indicated by the ease with which he will accept Hushai as an adviser. He would not have done that if he had thought that there was a possibility that his heart was otherwise disposed. He rather saw him as ‘a chancer’ like himself.
18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain.
As befitted a wise man Hushai turned the conversation in a serious direction, by pointing out that his responsibility was to serve whoever Yahweh, and the people who are standing around, and all Israel, have chosen. It was to him that he would be loyal, and it was with him that he would reside. Absalom, overjoyed because of his success, naturally saw himself as intended by the description. Was it not proved by his presence unhindered in Jerusalem? But had he been more discerning he might have stopped and considered the fact that David was the chosen of Yahweh. For David was Yahweh’s Anointed, and had been chosen by all Israel, and he was still alive.
What is funny here is not Absalom’s humor but by the fact that Absalom was blinded and had no street smarts of insults being directed right back at him.
19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”
Hushai then pledged his loyalty to the reigning representative of the house of David in the terms that David had suggested. As he had served the in the presence of the father so would he serve in the presence of the son. He would serve whoever was regnant in Jerusalem. It will be noted that he had not refuted his loyalty to David. He had rather carefully aligned himself with the practical situation. But it was apparently enough to satisfy Absalom. Ahithophel apparently kept his own counsel.
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give advice as to what we should do.”
Having settled in Jerusalem Absalom then called on Ahithophel as leader of his advisers to advise him as to his next step. What should he do now?
21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.”
Ahithophel, who was aware that all Israel would be watching, unsure as to which side they should support, then informed Absalom that he must make it apparent to all Israel that there could be no reconciliation between him and his father. It had to be made clear to them immediately that Absalom was totally committed in his determination to oust David. And he knew that the one way in which this could be done would be by Absalom appropriating for himself the royal harem and making love to David’s concubine wives. That would be an indication that he had taken over all that pertained to David and would be an insult that David would be unable to forgive. It was the final statement as to who was now the permanent king.
However, we must also recognize in this the fulfilment of the words of Yahweh through Nathan the prophet, when he had declared to David after his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah, that ‘I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun’ (12.11-12). David was thus to be reaping the consequences of his grave sins. We should observe how Yahweh’s severe chastening is going hand in hand with the revelations of His mercy. He will not spare David his chastening, but He will see him safely through it.
22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
So, in response to the advice of Ahithophel a tent was spread on the roof of the palace, and there ‘Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.’ Now there could be no doubt in the eyes of any that the breach between Absalom and David was permanent. The shame that he had brought on David could only be expunged by Absalom’s death.
23 Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
A sarcastic comment is then added to the effect that Ahithophel’s counsel was the equivalent of enquiring at the oracle of God to both David and Absalom. This was, of course, an exaggeration. It was simply expressing how greatly revered his wisdom was by men, if not by God. The truth is, however, that no one, and certainly not David, would have really considered his counsel to be the equivalent of God’s direct counsel, while Absalom will certainly immediately demonstrate that he did not see it in that way by later following the contrary advice of Hushai (which is why some sarcasm must be detected).
That in fact underlines the point. Ahithophel’s counsel was only treated like this by those who forbore seeking Yahweh’s direct counsel, something in which David himself had been decidedly lacking in recent days, and something in which Absalom was continually lacking, otherwise he would not have sought to kill Yahweh’s anointed. Ahithophel was thus their unsatisfactory substitute for Yahweh, a substitute who even counselled direct disobedience of the Law of Yahweh, and yet in the end was but a tool of Yahweh. If anything could bring home that Absalom was not the chosen of Yahweh (verse 18), it was this willingness to rely totally, but imperfectly, on Ahithophel.
We should also note the irony of these verses. All men saw Ahithophel as being ‘almost as wise as God’ but in fact Ahithophel as having just counselled the breaking of the Law of God (verse 21), and as having unwittingly ensured the fulfilment of the dictate of God about David’s punishment (12.11). Ahithophel is thus seen to be both disobedient to the covenant, and at the same time as the unwitting tool of Yahweh.
