2 Samuel 16:23 Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.
Ahithophel was the chief counselor of King David. He was a very wise man. His words were esteemed as the word from God. David’s own son Absalom revolted against him. For a short period of time Absalom self promoted himself as the king of Israel and drove King David out into the wilderness. David’s counselor Ahithophel betrayed the king and became the conniving agent of Absalom. He gave Absalom the most obnoxious advice which dug the grave for Absalom. Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.” (vs 21).
This was Ahithophel’s revenge on King David. He was the grandfather of Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife whom David took as his own. His granddaughter’s marriage was sabotaged by David when her husband was plotted and murdered in the battle. Ahithophel found the right opportunity to pay back David and gave loathsome advice to his rebellious son Absalom. David who was forgiven by the Lord did not live in guilt of his sin. He confessed, cried and restored his relationship with the Lord. David prayed a simple prayer and God heard him. ‘O LORD, I pray Thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.’ (1 Samuel 15:31). The wise old man’s subsequent counsels were shunned by Absalom. When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb (2 Samuel 17:23).
David was free of guilt and shame from adultery and plotted manslaughter as he admitted his stupor and repented but Ahithophel’s cunningness and revenge ended in a pathetic suicide.
Points to ponder:
1. Forgiveness: We receive the assurance of forgiveness by faith. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon (Isaiah 55:7). Forsaking the old patterns of thinking, behaving and reacting will flood us with mercy. Sin tarnishes the soul and mercy flushes us clean with the blood of Jesus.
2. Free: We don’t have to repeat our prayer of repentance for the sins that we committed two decades ago, every time we pray. Once forgiven we are set free from the shackles of sin and the aftermath of guilt, shame and curse.
3. Foolishness: The stain of guilt turned the wisdom of Ahithophel into foolishness. Unforgiveness, revenge and rage make us fools!
The blood of Jesus can only forgive and set a repentant sinner free.
Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Prayer: Father God, help me to be free of anger, animosity and revenge and inherit the freedom I have in Christ Jesus through faith. Amen.
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