Hudson Taylor-Obeying God's Call, No Matter What Happens

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

Last week I started to tell you about our fifth missionary journey but ran out of time. If you missed part one click here.

The two Chinese teachers who came with us on the first part of our journey refused to go any closer to the large city of Tunchow. Over and over they warned, "It is not safe." John Burdon and I talked about the situation at the dock and decided, no matter what harm may come to us, the people of the city needed to know God loves them and that He sent His son, Jesus to die for their sins.

Looking at the teacher's faces, we understood the road would be extremely dangerous and took a while to pray for safety. We were able to hire a Chinese man to push a wheelbarrow carrying our supplies the seven miles from the river to Tunchow.

A man dressed in business clothes stopped us on the road. He said, "Honorable sirs, I need to warn you of the dangers in Tunchow where you travel. Their army is cruel. You will only find great unhappiness there. Please turn back."

I must admit, at first John and I did not know if this was God's protective warning spoken through the man, or if Satan wanted to scare us away from the mission God sent us. 

We stopped and prayed again. God reminded us he sent us to China to do a work. We felt willing to obey His command and face whatever came our way. We thanked the man and continued our journey to the city. 

Our wheelbarrow man became frightened after hearing the businessman's warning and refused to go another step. He dropped the handles of the wheelbarrow and ran away. We looked around and found another man. He agreed to take over the job. 

As John and I walked, we quoted scriptures and sang hymns to encourage each other to keep going. Not far ahead was the western gate of the city. We didn't want to cause harm to the man who pushed the wheelbarrow. I said, "Stay here and wait for us." John and I gathered as many New Testaments as we could hold and walked to the west gate.

The closer we walked to the gate, the more people we saw. No one caused any harm, but we heard their words. "Black devils." Neither one of us knew why they called us that. Was it our clothes?  

We kept walking past a few soldiers. None of them touched us, although they squinted and had angry faces. I said, "These must be the soldiers. They look angry but haven't harmed us. Let's keep going."

I spoke too soon. A tall soldier, who stank of alcohol pushed behind John and grabbed him by the shoulders. John tried to shake himself free. Within in seconds John and I were surrounded by a whole company of soldiers, angry and smelling of alcohol.

They pushed and dragged us faster than we could walk. My bag of books grew heavier with each step, but I couldn't switch the bag to my other arm since the soldiers held us captive.

"We demand to be taken to the chief magistrate!" The more we cried out for help, the tighter the soldiers grip grew, and the speed they made us run. 

The soldiers growled. "Be quiet. We know what to do with you." The lead soldier stopped, released John and came over to me, pounding my head, arms, and chest. He yanked my hair and my collar, choking me.

The situation looked pretty bad. This could be the day God chose to take us home to be with Him. No matter what happens next, I am glad we obeyed God and came to this city.

I'll finish the story next time, after I take a breather.

J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions?


Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor.

David-Joab's Rebuke

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 19

From Joab's Journal

I have served King David for a long time. I've worked my way up the ranks until I became captain of his army. 

Not long ago David's son, Absalom, stole the throne from his father. I must admit, I went with Absalom even though I shouldn't have. . .

But I left the moment Absalom gave my position to someone else. That's when I realized my mistake. I went back to David's camp, he accepted me and gave me back my position as captain. What a forgiving man. 

Absalom sent his army after David's soldiers. Two other men and I were appointed by king David to lead his army against Absalom. During the battle, Absalom's hair became caught in a tree. He dangled there like a puppet. To save the kingdom and restore David to the throne, I ran Absalom through with my sword. 

When messengers brought word of Absalom's death to David, he burst into tears, crying for his son endlessly. The entire army should have been celebrating a victory, instead, we all felt like we committed a crime. If David doesn't resolve the issue soon, his army will walk out on him. 

The soldiers crept back into the city, ashamed. Enough, I thought. The kingdom will fall apart if David continues to cry. 

I went to king David's chamber and asked to speak with him. As soon as I had permission I spoke my mind. "Today you have disgraced all your soldiers who saved not only your life but the lives of you wives, sons, and daughters. Your men think you love your enemy more than them. 

"It would seem, my lord, that you if all of us had died and Absalom had lived you'd be happier. I suggest, my lord, you go at once and speak comfort to your army. I promise, if you do not go out and speak with them this very night, it will be worse for you than all the evil that has come to you from your childhood to this day."

David rubbed tears from his eyes and stood. "Very well, Joab."

He went to the city gate and sat there, where the people could come and speak with him. When word went out to the people that David sat in the gate where they could come and speak with him, they were pleased. 

Here is a Psalm we sing, you know it as Psalm 12. NKJV

Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases!
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
 They speak idly everyone with his neighbor;
With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
And the tongue that speaks proud things,
 Who have said,
“With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own;
Who is lord over us?”

 “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the Lord;
“I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”

 The words of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
 You shall keep them, O Lord,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.

 The wicked prowl on every side,
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

************************ 
1.  What upset Joab?
2.  How did David's army return to the city?
3.  What did Joab say to David?
4.  What did David decide to do?
5.  Did his choice please the people?

David-O Absalom, my son, Absalom

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 18

 From Ahimaaz, the Priest's Journal

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

David is going to be furious when he hears his son is dead. And even more angry when he hears Joab disobeyed orders and killed him.

The soldiers gathered in the tents celebrating the victory. David had to be told. This matter could not wait until we returned to the city. I approached Joab. "Let me run and take the news to the king, how the Lord has avenged him of his enemies."

Joab laughed. "No. You will not take the news today, maybe another time. Definitely not today because you will tell David his son is dead."

A Cushite servant stood nearby. Joab turned to him. "Go, tell the king what you have seen." The servant bowed and ran toward the city as instructed.

I know the servant hadn't seen what happened. He will obey and say only what he saw and not what actually happened. David won't learn the truth from that servant. 

Not being able to go frustrated me. David needed to hear the news. I wanted to be with him when he heard. I asked again, "Whatever happens, please let me run behind the Cushite."

Joab laughed again. "You run? What good is that? You have no news to share."

"If anything small, anything, allow me to run to report the news."

Joab rolled his eyes. "Fine. Go ahead and run."

I didn't stop to do anything before leaving. The Cushite had the lead. I figured out a shortcut across the plain. 

I saw the watchman in the tower. He leaned over as if reporting something. They saw me coming. Good. 

By the time I reached the gate I was out of breath. Through gasps I called, "All is well." The guards took me to the king. I bowed low to the ground. "Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised the hand against my lord the king."

David signaled for me to stand. "Is my son, Absalom safe?"

I took a few more deep breaths and answered. "When Joab sent me as a messenger, there was quite a problem but I didn't know what it was."

David looked at my eyes. He wanted to know right away. "Stand over here."

A guard stepped into the room. "My lord, a second messenger has arrived."

David nodded. "Send him in."

The Cushite waltzed happily into the room. "Good news, my lord, the king! The Lord has avenged you this day of all those who rose against you."

David said, "Is my son, Absalom safe?"

The Cushite smiled, "May all your enemies get the same punishment as that young man."

This was not the best way to tell him. David practically melted on the floor. He closed his eyes. "Leave me. Everyone. Leave me." He climbed the stairs to the room over the gate and wept. "O my son, Absalom--my son Absalom--if only I had died in your place. O Absalom my son, my son!"

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 11: NKJV

In the Lord I put my trust;
How can you say to my soul,
“Flee as a bird to your mountain”?
 For look! The wicked bend their bow,
They make ready their arrow on the string,
That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.
 If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?

 The Lord is in His holy temple,
The Lord’s throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold,
His eyelids test the sons of men.
 The Lord tests the righteous,
But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
 Upon the wicked He will rain coals;
Fire and brimstone and a burning wind
Shall be the portion of their cup.

 For the Lord is righteous,
He loves righteousness;
His countenance beholds the upright.

***************************
1. Who wanted to tell David the news about his son Absalom?
2. Joab was one of the captains of the army for this battle. Who did he choose to report the news?
3. After the Cushite left what did Ahimaaz do?
4. Who arrived first?
5. How did David respond to the news?

Hudson Taylor-Needed Money, Wanted a Wife

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

courtesy visualbiblealive.com

If you don't mind, I'd like to give you an update. Dr. Parker, his family and I have been the only missionaries sent to China from the China Evangelism Society. I know I've complained a lot about not receiving the promised funds from them, but matters have worsened. 

I didn't think our financial situation could get any worse. But it has. We have sent many letters begging for our support funds. All we've received has been an apology letter saying the society had received fewer donations and therefore couldn't send anything else. Fortunately, William Berger chose to send money directly to Dr. Parker and me. Without his help we would have starved.

The second problem has been my great desire to have a wife. I've wanted to marry Elizabeth Sissons for a long time and have sent several proposals. All have come back unanswered. I refused to give up. I wrote her father begging him to let sweet Elizabeth sail to China and become my wife. Now I wait.

Now back to my next adventure. I have written you about my first four missionary journeys.  John Burdon and two Chinese teachers left with me on April 17 for my fifth missionary journey. We hired two junks to sail up the Yangtze River instead of taking my own boat, which was too small for a journey with rough waters.

After four missionary journeys, we'd learned the best place to go to attract the biggest crowd. The temples housed large crowds that visited regularly. The gathering place usually had more people that could freely move. Five to six hundred men and women bumped into each other trying to get from one place to another. 

In one of those crowded temples, someone stole our satchel full of New Testaments, my hat and my glasses.  I never received my glasses back. Still, we went on with our work preaching the Gospel message to the people.

We visited Chongming, where the only place for me to stand high enough for all the people to hear and see me was a huge incense urn. I balanced myself carefully and spoke as loud as I could to the people hungry to hear what the foreigners had to say. 

We wanted to go to Tongzhou next. The two Chinese teachers who travelled with us warned us not to go there. There were gangs, cruel people and the soldiers were known to be wicked to everyone, even visitors.

The Chinese teachers said, "We cannot go with you. That place is dangerous."

Burdon and I suggested the teachers stay with the junks and guard them. If we didn't return in a reasonable time, they should take one of the junks back to Shanghai to report our absence, leaving the second junk for us in case we returned late. The two men seemed happy with the arrangements.

I'll finish the adventures of my fifth missionary journey next time. I can tell you this, the two Chinese men were right.

J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions?


Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor.

David-Joab Kills Absalom

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 18

From the Journals of a Servant

courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

The battle waged in the woods for hours. We, the army of David, fought the army of Absalom who came to attack us.

The causalities were great. Over twenty thousand lay dead in the woods. Absalom road a mule toward the front, his long, thick black hair flowing in the wind. His horse took him under branches of a terebinth tree that reached down to the height of his head. His hair tangled in the limbs, holding his body captive. The mule kept moving forward leaving Absalom dangling in the air.

I stood beside one of David's three captains, Joab when one of a soldiers came and reported the news.  Joab was furious and yelled, "Why didn't you kill him? I would have given you ten shekels and a belt?"

The soldier stood firm and didn't not falter when he replied. "You could have offered me one thousand shekels and I still wouldn't have raised a hand against the king's son. I heard the king say to you and the other two captains, 'Beware, if anyone touches Absalom.' To do what you said would be to risk my own life. Nothing is held secret from the king. You, yourself would have come after me."

Joab huffed. "I can't waste my time being near you." He grabbed three spears and with his ten armor bearers went to the place where Absalom dangled. I followed to report the events. Absalom thrashed, trying to free himself from branches he couldn't reach. The more he moved the more his hair tangled.

He begged Joab not to kill him, he offered him the captain position. "Too late, Joab yelled. You had your chance to choose me and didn't take it." Joab plunged all three spears into Absalom's heart. His ten armor bearers joined him by beating and finishing the kill. 

Joab blew the trumpet, signaling victory to David's army. The soldiers stopped their fighting and came to Joab's position. The men took Absalom's body and threw it in a pit in the woods covering it with a big rock.

Once the body had been buried the men ran back to the camp and hid in their tents. I am witness to these events should David ask, and he will. He won't be happy with Joab for disobeying his orders.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 10:

Why do You stand afar off, O Lord?
Why do You hide in times of trouble?
 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor;
Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

 For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire;
He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.
 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his thoughts.

 His ways are always prospering;
Your judgments are far above, out of his sight;
As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.
 He has said in his heart, “I shall not be moved;
I shall never be in adversity.”
 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression;
Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.

 He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
In the secret places he murders the innocent;
His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.
 He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den;
He lies in wait to catch the poor;
He catches the poor when he draws him into his net.
 So he crouches, he lies low,
That the helpless may fall by his strength.
 He has said in his heart,
“God has forgotten;
He hides His face;
He will never see.”

 Arise, O Lord!
O God, lift up Your hand!
Do not forget the humble.
 Why do the wicked renounce God?
He has said in his heart,
“You will not require an account.”

 But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief,
To repay it by Your hand.
The helpless commits himself to You;
You are the helper of the fatherless.
 Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man;
Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

 The Lord is King forever and ever;
The nations have perished out of His land.
 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will prepare their heart;
You will cause Your ear to hear,
 To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

**********************

1. What did the soldier under Joab's command report?

2. Who side was Joab on, David or Absalom's?

3. What happened to Absalom?

4. Why did Joab yell at the soldier?

5. What did Joab and his ten armor bearers do?

6. What and who's rule did Joab violate?

7. Afterwards, Joab blew the trumpet to call all the army. What did they do?

8. Since they went back and hid in their tents can we say the soldiers knew the did right or wrong?

David- The Coming Terrible Battle

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 17, 18

From David's Journal

picture courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

I led those who chose to follow me safely away from the Jordan to the east as Hushai recommended. We needed to hide from Absalom's army.

My son, Abaslom who stole the hearts of many people and my throne planned to attack me and my men with the Israelite soldiers who switched to his side. All of this was crazy. The country should be at peace, not split into two groups fighting each other.

I led my loyal army to Mahanaim. It was a safe city near the River Jabok where Saul's son Ishbosheth once ruled. After his death, the city became loyal to my throne. 

My men and I set up camp there. I received a report from a messenger stating Absalom and his army crossed the river. My heart felt heavy. I didn't want this battle. But Absalom brought it to pass. 

While in the city, a kindly man named Shobi delivered food for those traveling with me. God's provision through a willing soul. He brought beds, basins, pottery and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and cheese. He bowed to me with his gifts loaded on carts behind him. "My lord, your people are hungry, tired, and thirsty in the wilderness.. Please accept my gift."

"Thank you Shobi for helping these your people. Thank you for heeding God's call to bring this gift."

Since Absalom took over the throne, my former chief captain, Joab decided to be loyal to him. Apparently Absalom chose someone else for his captain which offended Joab. 

My former chief captain returned to my camp begging forgiveness. I of course accepted Joab and gave back his position as captain. We numbered all those who came with me and grouped them with captains over thousands and hundreds to prepare for the battle against Absalom and his followers.

The army was divided into three groups, one led by Joab, another Abishai, and the third under Ittai. I prepared to go with the army but the people begged me not to go. They said, "You can't go. If we run away, Absalom's army will not care about us, even if half of us die. But if they captured or killed you, it would be worth ten thousand of us. You, oh king, are now more help to us in the city."

I looked at their pleading eyes. "All right. I will stay." 

I stood by the gate and watched the army pass by me. Before the battle march began, I gave one last command to my captains, Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: "Be kind, for my sake with Absalom." All the army heard me say this last command to them.

On the army marched. Next time we will tell about the battle.

Here is a psalm we sing, you call it Psalm 9 NKJV

I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
 I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

 When my enemies turn back,
They shall fall and perish at Your presence.
 For You have maintained my right and my cause;
You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.
 You have rebuked the nations,
You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

 O enemy, destructions are finished forever!
And you have destroyed cities;
Even their memory has perished.
 But the Lord shall endure forever;
He has prepared His throne for judgment. 
He shall judge the world in righteousness,
And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. 

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.
 When He avenges blood, He remembers them;
He does not forget the cry of the humble.

 Have mercy on me, O Lord!
Consider my trouble from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death,
 That I may tell of all Your praise
In the gates of the daughter of Zion.
I will rejoice in Your salvation.

 The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made;
In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught.
 The Lord is known by the judgment He executes;
The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.

Meditation. Selah

The wicked shall be turned into hell,
And all the nations that forget God.
 For the needy shall not always be forgotten;
The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.

 Arise, O Lord,
Do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged in Your sight.
 Put them in fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah

**************************
1. What side of the Jordan did David lead his men.
2. Why did he choose Mahanaim?
3. Who helped David's men and how did he help them?
4. What captain left David's service to help Absalom but then came back to David?
5. How did David treat the bad captain who left him.
6. Why did the people want David to stay?

Hudson Taylor-We All Need A Good First Time

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

Each missionary journey, all three of them so far, gave me a new experience. I can't say I felt bubbly about each one. The first three had some dangerous moments which left me thinking God's call for my missionary life might be shorter than I thought.

But, today I want to tell you about my fourth missionary journey. The one which sparked fireworks in my heart.

Dr. Parker, the missionary from Scotland who lived in the same house as me, was finally ready to step out on his first missionary journey. He had arrived several months after I did and was sent with his wife and children from the same missionary society as sent me. 

The poor man nearly tripped over his own feet preparing for our journey. He packed plenty of medical supplies, and I brought stacks of Bibles to give to those who could read. I would be the preacher, and Dr. Parker would tend to the medical needs and give out the Testaments to people we met.

I almost laughed at Dr. Parkers youthful excitement, remembering my mixed feelings on my first missionary journey. Excited, not able to speak the language well enough to share the Gospel, uncertain where to go, yet bursting with energy to fulfill this first practical adventure.

We left March 19th for Jiading. Once there we prayed for a bath of blessings and protection.

It didn't take long before a huge crowd gathered around us. Most looking at our clothes. So different from theirs. They reached their hands close to touch the fabric. Our eyes and hair were so different. Now that I could understand Mandarin I knew they asked who we were and why did we come to their city.

I answered by calling out to for their attention. The crowds silenced in seconds, curious what I would say. I began preaching to them, telling them about the God who loves and cares for them, the one who sent His only Son to die on the cross for the things we all did wrong.

As I spoke, Dr. Parker set up a medical station to help those in physical need. Unfortunately he had to close down not long after his equipment was stolen. 

I finished my message, we gave out New Testaments to all who could read, then left for the next city. Dr. Parker could have been angry about having his equipment stolen, but he chose to see the blessings of telling people about God's saving grace.  Good man.

We went on to Qingpu and allowed the crowds to gather around us again. I preached while Dr. Parker gave Testaments.  One man in particular showed his support for our message by poking a nearby idol. "See," he said. "This idol is not real. It does not feel when I poke it. These men speak of a real God."

All in all the trip went very well. But this was not the end of the blessings. When we returned to Shanghai I found a gift of $50 left for us to build a new hospital. Our first donation toward growing the ministry. How wonderful.

Dr. Parker continued to step out on his own. He chose to help John Burdon who's church had a decrease in attendance. Dr. Parker used the fifty dollars to set up a medical tent near the church. Before long, the church had increased numbers attending. 

I can't help but think our loving God gave Dr. Parker a wonderfully blessed first missionary journey to encourage him to keep on with the work he was called to do.

Thank you God. You are so kind. So all knowing. So sensitive. So gracious.

Please pray that our sending mission, China Evangelistic Society, will head my recent letter asking for finances to set up a hospital and other needed facilities for the Chinese people.

J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions?


Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor.

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.

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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?