II Samuel Chapter 17
Please read: II Samuel 17 –
Absalom was eager to take the throne and even more eager to take the life of his father the king. Ahithophel seemed to have a pretty good plan to do just that, but Absalom thought that Hushai had an even better plan. We know that Hushai was acting as a spy for David so his plan was one that would give David and his people a bit more time to escape. It would take more time to assemble all the men of Israel to go after David than it would to just send a small army of 12,000 that Ahithophel had suggested. Absalom probably thought it was better also to take out all people who were loyal to David rather than just David himself. So, a plan was set in motion.
Hushai did what he had promised David, he got word to the priests who then passed the message on to a woman who gave the message to Jonathan and Ahimaaz. Jonathan (not the same Jonathan that was Saul’s son) and Ahimaaz would carry the message to David. This elaborate plan involved the men not being seen in Jerusalem so that they could safely get word to David. But they were seen. Despite being seen by Absalom’s men, as the story unfolds, we learn that David did get the important message that he needed to move quickly and get the people across the Jordan or they would be attacked.
Let's Reflect
1. What did Ahithophel say that David’s loyal people would do once David was killed?
2. When Hushai was called upon to give his advice to Absalom, what did he say about the advice that Ahithophel had given?
3. Hushai reminded Absalom what kind of a warrior David had been. He described David and his followers as what type of animal?
4. Hushai’s advice was for Absalom to gather a great army to go and attack David and all his men. He advised him that he should take an army that was as big as what?
5. Hushai immediately got word to the priests to let them know of Absalom’s plan to amass a great army to attack David. Two men, Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting outside the city in case any message was needed to be carried to David. A female servant carried a message to them. Was the message carried secretly without being noticed by the opposite side?
6. How did the two men escape when Absalom’s men came looking for them?
7. Jonathan and Ahimaaz were able to get the warning to David and the people moved quickly to cross the Jordan. What time of day did they have to cross the river?
8. Ahithophel was afraid for his life, knowing what type of warrior David was and knowing the thirst for power that Absalom had. What did Ahithophel do to himself?
