David-The Plot Thickens

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 17

From Hushai's Notes

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Being a spy means keeping aware of every possible glitch in a plan. This was a tricky and complicated idea, and I won't tell you if it worked or not until the end.

If you recall, in the last post king David ordered for me to return to the castle where his son claimed to be king. My job: confuse any wise counsel given to Absalom.

Yesterday I did just that. Absalom and his men agreed with my ridiculous plan instead of siding with the wise counsel from his personal advisor. 

The next step, tell the priest who also are in the castle as spies. I went to Zadok and Abiathar, "Everything is going according to plan. Absalom's advisor actually came up with a great idea, one that would have killed our beloved king. Absalom asked for my opinion. I told him the idea would be bad and gave a different suggestion. 

"Fortunately Absalom agreed with my idea instead of his advisor's. Now, go to En Rogel and tell our spies hiding in the field to report this plan to David. Tell David, 'Do not spend the night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, or you and all the people who are with you will be swallowed up.'"

Zadok and Abiathar went outside the city as if on an errand and travelled to En Rogel to a servant's house where they found the spies, Jonathan and Ahimaaz. A young man saw them talking to Zadok and Abiathar and ran to the king to report the news.

In the meantime, Jonathan and Ahimaaz ran to a man's house in Bahurim. He had a well in the middle of his land. The spies hid inside the well. A servant woman covered the mouth of the well with ground grain.

Not long after, Absalom's soldiers arrived and asked where the spies went. The woman said, "They have gone over the water brook"

The soldiers searched for the spies, but couldn't find them. After they left, the spies crawled out of the well and ran to David's camp.

"My lord." They bowed and gasped for air. "Hurry. Cross over the water quickly. For Ahithophel gave the idea for the king to come against you."

David didn't waste any time. He ordered his followers to cross the River Jordan at once.

The next day Absalom's close advisor grew angry when his counsel was not followed. He stomped out of the castle, walked to his home, made sure his wife was cared for and hung himself.

And in the end, David and all those who followed him were safe.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 6:

O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak;
O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
 My soul also is greatly troubled;
But You, O Lord—how long?

 Return, O Lord, deliver me!
Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!
 For in death there is no remembrance of You;
In the grave who will give You thanks?

 I am weary with my groaning;
All night I make my bed swim;
I drench my couch with my tears.
 My eye wastes away because of grief;
It grows old because of all my enemies.

 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;
For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
 The Lord has heard my supplication;
The Lord will receive my prayer.
 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;
Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.

******************************
1.  Which man was the advisor for Abaslom: Hushai or Ahithophel?
2.  Which man was the advisor for David:      Hushai or Ahithophel?
3.  Which man gave the wise counsel:           Hushai or Ahithophel? 
4.  Which man gave the wrong counsel:        Hushai or Ahithophel?
5.  Which man was a spy:                               Hushai or Ahithophel?
6.  Which man became jealous and killed himself:  Hushai or Ahithophel?
7.  Which man saved David and those who followed him? Hushai or Ahithophel?