Since the Lord had decreed that Ahithophel’s good advice be undermined in order to bring about Absalom’s ruin, Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than Ahithophel’s advice.” (2 Samuel 17:14)
Throughout the Bible, we see God’s hand and control in everything. God is sovereign and He has the power, wisdom, and authority to do anything He chooses within His creation. In the Bible, we see God using the foolish things to shame the wise. In today’s reading, we see God being able to undermine Ahithophel’s good advice to bring about the ruin of Absalom. This was all part of God’s plan.
Ahithophel was known for giving wise counsel and this was the first time someone rejected his advice. We could say that Absalom favored Hushai’s advice because it appealed to Absalom’s vanity. But the real reason was that God had purposed for this to happen. God was in control and He caused Absalom to reject Ahithophel’s wise counsel.
Absalom had the smartest man in Israel on his side. Yet, God heard and answered David’s prayer in 2 Sam. 15:31, “Lord,” David pleaded, “please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” David’s prayer was mightier than Ahithophel’s smarts. God led Ahithophel to give foolish counsel that was listened to in chapter 16. Now in chapter 17, God allowed Ahithophel to give solid, good advice that was rejected. Why? Because God is in control of everything. The throne of Israel belongs to God, and He could grant it or deny it at His will.
God’s handling of David during this time is a great lesson for us, as followers of Jesus today. David was undergoing a lot of chastening by God during all of this, but God’s plan was to bring disaster to Absalom. God did not forsake David. God was there for David. So when we mess up like David, remember that God is not out to destroy His children, but rather He wants to correct us. Will you confess your sin, turn in repentance to your Savior, and be changed by God’s correction in your life through His word? Remember that God is in control and we would be wise to follow, obey, and love Him and His commands.