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ABSALOM REIGNED IN JERUSALEM
LORD’S DAY, AUGUST 30
2 Samuel 16

Proverbs 4:23-27

 

“Ponder the path of thy feet,
and let all thy ways

be established.”

 

ABSALOM REIGNED IN JERUSALEM
 
Absalom marched to Jerusalem and took over the king’s palace. He was accompanied by Ahithophel as his chief counsellor. He served in the same capacity under David but he defected to the side of the rebel son. He had estimated that Absalom was more powerful and on the way to become king. The other counsellor of David was Hushai. He was loyal to David. Thus, David included him in his comeback strategy.
 
David sent Hushai as a double agent in order to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. He came and showed his support for the rebel son of David. Absalom asked him as to why he had left his friend. Hushai said that as he had served with David, he was also going to serve him. In this, he showed his support for the incoming king. Ahithophel was already a confidant of Absalom and Absalom asked him what he ought to do. His advice was disgraceful. When David left the palace, he had left his concubines to keep the house. Ahithophel counselled Absalom to go into his father’s concubines and Absalom was not discerning, but trusted Ahithophel’s counsel. This took place in broad daylight and added more to the humiliation of David.
 
The counsel of Ahithophel was misleading, but on the other hand, the providence of God was in all these events. David had taken Uriah’s wife secretly and the Lord had said that vengeance would be before all Israel. David’s disgrace was partly the price of sin and partly a show of God’s grace for he was repentant. He endured the humiliation and continued to trust the Lord. When the scripture says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), it includes David. Repentance and faith bring hope and reconciliation with the Lord. Repent of your sins today and God will forgive you.
 
THOUGHT: “I am a sinner saved by grace.”

PRAYER: Father, Thy grace is ever sufficient for my sins.

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