WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.179 That is page 268, if you're looking in one of the Pew Bibles, 2 Samuel 17. 00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:16.559 I wonder whether you've ever felt like you are in the wilderness, hungry, thirsty, weary, 00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:23.140 maybe physically, emotionally, relationally, or spiritually. 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:29.440 That's a situation David and his followers are in during this chapter. 00:00:29.440 --> 00:00:31.700 In fact, that's how they're described in the last verse. 00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:38.299 And this evening, we're in a section of 2 Samuel where basically David's life, his kingdom, 00:00:38.740 --> 00:00:45.780 his family has been falling apart, largely due to David's own moral failure. 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:50.219 David was in a very vulnerable place for a whole bunch of reasons. 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:55.719 But what we see in this chapter is that even when we failed, and even when our life is falling 00:00:55.719 --> 00:01:03.119 apart, God doesn't abandon us to our enemies, but rather he mercifully provides for us. 00:01:04.180 --> 00:01:10.799 Now, maybe you've been coming here and through this whole long series in 1 and 2 Samuel, but 00:01:10.799 --> 00:01:11.359 maybe you haven't. 00:01:11.420 --> 00:01:16.739 So let me just bring us all up to speed on the story of David as it's written in the book 00:01:16.739 --> 00:01:17.200 of Samuel. 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:22.379 So the book of 1 Samuel, we see David's suffering. 00:01:23.540 --> 00:01:27.500 We see David is anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the future king of Israel. 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:34.680 But then for the rest of the book, for like 16 chapters, King Saul is pursuing him, persecuting 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:34.879 him. 00:01:34.980 --> 00:01:37.320 He has to flee into the wilderness. 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:38.700 He's running for his life. 00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:41.420 And King Saul's trying to kill him. 00:01:42.320 --> 00:01:42.920 He's suffering. 00:01:42.920 --> 00:01:49.700 The first 10 chapters of 2 Samuel, after King Saul is killed in battle, we see David's 00:01:49.700 --> 00:01:51.240 rise to power. 00:01:52.460 --> 00:01:57.359 And David is raised up to reign over the United Kingdom of Israel. 00:01:57.460 --> 00:01:59.099 The people come together under him. 00:01:59.400 --> 00:02:00.439 He defeats their enemies. 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:01.439 He brings peace. 00:02:02.420 --> 00:02:04.780 And God promises that his kingdom will be established forever. 00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:06.020 And everything seems great. 00:02:06.019 --> 00:02:14.519 And then we see David's fall, starting in chapter 11, when he commits adultery with Bathsheba, 00:02:14.879 --> 00:02:18.759 and when he arranges for her husband to be killed in battle. 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:26.219 And after that, David's family begins to fall apart, and David's kingdom begins to fall apart. 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:28.560 And that's what we've seen over the last few chapters. 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:34.280 Chapter 16, David is tricked, and then cursed, and then betrayed. 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:41.960 And so he's not only reaping the consequences of his own failure, he's also being unjustly 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:43.280 treated and attacked. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:47.740 And even in this situation, David doesn't give up. 00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:49.159 He entrusts himself to the Lord. 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:52.319 And here we are in this chapter. 00:02:52.819 --> 00:03:00.500 What's happened in this chapter is that David's son, Absalom, has organized a conspiracy and has 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:04.000 rode into Jerusalem, the capital city, and declared himself king. 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:05.879 And David has had to flee. 00:03:07.400 --> 00:03:16.080 And so David's gone, and his son, Absalom, has seized the throne, completely against David's 00:03:16.680 --> 00:03:17.020 wishes. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:21.259 And that's sort of what's going on. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:23.840 And David is in the wilderness again. 00:03:23.920 --> 00:03:30.199 It seems like he's right back where he was in 1 Samuel when Saul was pursuing him, and when 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:31.719 he was persecuted again in the wilderness. 00:03:31.719 --> 00:03:36.119 Seems like he's risen and fallen, and he's right back there. 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:38.159 So here's where we are tonight. 00:03:40.299 --> 00:03:44.280 So I want to walk us through the passage and show us three main things. 00:03:44.659 --> 00:03:49.579 Now, the first thing is God doesn't abandon us when we've been betrayed. 00:03:49.580 --> 00:03:54.280 We see this in verse 1 through 14. 00:03:54.780 --> 00:03:58.740 Now, before I read these verses, verse 1, we see Ahithophel. 00:03:59.460 --> 00:04:00.840 Sorry, Ahithophel. 00:04:02.900 --> 00:04:05.420 Let me just explain so the story will make sense when I read it. 00:04:06.140 --> 00:04:08.460 Ahithophel was David's counselor. 00:04:09.200 --> 00:04:12.900 That means his trusted friend and his political advisor. 00:04:14.360 --> 00:04:15.920 Ahithophel was widely respected. 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:23.099 If you look at the last verse of chapter 16, it says people took his words like they were 00:04:23.099 --> 00:04:23.740 the word of God. 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:26.300 It literally says that, right? 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:33.199 He was widely respected, and his words were weighty. 00:04:34.459 --> 00:04:39.279 So he had been David's counselor, David's friend, but then he defected. 00:04:39.659 --> 00:04:40.639 He betrayed David. 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:43.060 He joined Absalom's conspiracy. 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:46.199 When Absalom tried to seize the throne from his father. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:49.480 And when David heard about that, he was devastated. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:50.620 And he prayed. 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:54.379 He said, Lord, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:58.959 He realized that unless God intervened, things weren't looking good. 00:04:59.840 --> 00:05:03.660 Because Ahithophel was a wise and strategic counselor. 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:06.740 And now he had deserted David. 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:09.620 All right, so here we are, chapter 17. 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:13.960 Ahithophel is in Jerusalem with Absalom, David's son. 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:19.100 So moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, let me choose 12,000 men, and I will arise and pursue 00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:19.840 David tonight. 00:05:20.120 --> 00:05:24.300 I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:25.780 all the people who are with him will flee. 00:05:26.220 --> 00:05:30.740 I will strike down only the king, and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:31.759 comes home to her husband. 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:35.639 You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace. 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:40.300 And the advice seemed right in the eyes of Absalom and all the elders of Israel. 00:05:40.419 --> 00:05:45.819 Then Absalom said, call Hushai the archite also, and let us hear what he has to say. 00:05:47.479 --> 00:05:55.459 Now Hushai is David's friend, and he's hanging with Absalom, but he's actually like a spy. 00:05:56.379 --> 00:06:01.500 And so he's trying to give Absalom bad advice to trick him, because he's actually on David's 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:01.740 side. 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:09.040 So let me briefly run through Ahithophel's plan. 00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:13.840 So Ahithophel, if you look at what his plan is, he's basically like, let me take care of 00:06:13.840 --> 00:06:14.120 this. 00:06:14.980 --> 00:06:15.180 Okay? 00:06:15.400 --> 00:06:16.759 I'll choose 12,000 men. 00:06:17.319 --> 00:06:18.960 That means 12 military units. 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:24.199 Sometimes 1,000 was a word referring to a military unit, even if it didn't have, even 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:26.280 it didn't always have 1,000 people in it. 00:06:26.279 --> 00:06:31.639 But he says, let me take 12 military units, sort of representing all the 12 tribes of 00:06:31.639 --> 00:06:31.979 Israel. 00:06:32.239 --> 00:06:37.419 We're going to go target David, finish him off tonight, and the kingdom's yours. 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:39.899 Clean. 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:41.279 I'll take care of it. 00:06:41.339 --> 00:06:42.059 I'll take the risk. 00:06:42.339 --> 00:06:43.239 I'll take responsibility. 00:06:43.579 --> 00:06:44.500 I'll make sure it happens. 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:45.039 I'll do it. 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:50.520 His plan is careful, calculated, and concise. 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:56.340 He knows that David is in a vulnerable position, and he is saying, I'll finish him off. 00:06:57.920 --> 00:06:59.700 Okay, second plan, Hushai the Archite. 00:07:00.780 --> 00:07:01.420 Verse 6. 00:07:01.420 --> 00:07:05.560 When Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom said to him, thus has Ahithophel spoken, shall we 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:06.180 do as he says? 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:07.080 If not, you speak. 00:07:07.900 --> 00:07:12.600 Then Hushai said to Absalom, this time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good. 00:07:13.620 --> 00:07:19.280 Hushai said, you know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged 00:07:19.280 --> 00:07:21.700 like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:24.460 Besides, your father is expert in war. 00:07:24.520 --> 00:07:25.879 He will not spend the night with the people. 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:30.280 Behold, even now he has hidden himself in one of the pits or in some other place. 00:07:30.279 --> 00:07:35.179 And as soon as some of the people fall at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, 00:07:35.339 --> 00:07:37.719 there has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom. 00:07:38.479 --> 00:07:43.599 Then even the valiant man whose heart is like the heart of a lion will utterly melt with fear. 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:47.879 For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:48.599 valiant men. 00:07:49.079 --> 00:07:56.259 But my counsel is that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as the sand by 00:07:56.259 --> 00:07:59.739 the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person. 00:08:00.279 --> 00:08:05.459 So we shall come upon him in some place where he is to be found, and we shall light upon 00:08:05.459 --> 00:08:10.279 him as the dew falls on the ground, and of him and all the men with him, not one will 00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:10.779 be left. 00:08:11.619 --> 00:08:16.259 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we shall 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:20.399 drag it into the valley until not even a pebble is to be found there. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:33.399 Now, if you compare these two speeches of advice, they're almost completely opposite. 00:08:34.699 --> 00:08:36.279 And his fellow's like, I'll do it. 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:37.299 I'll do it now. 00:08:37.459 --> 00:08:38.399 I'll take care of it. 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:39.319 He's crisp. 00:08:39.419 --> 00:08:39.939 He's clean. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:42.299 He's a military guy, and he knows what he's doing. 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:46.279 Hushai the Archite, his speech is three times as long. 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:51.740 Absalom, it's full of flowery metaphors and grandiose ambitions. 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:54.539 And he doesn't say, I'll take care of it. 00:08:54.579 --> 00:08:57.740 He says, Absalom, you, you know best. 00:08:58.600 --> 00:08:59.740 You know your father. 00:09:00.500 --> 00:09:02.220 You should lead the people into battle. 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:06.240 You should gather all Israel to you from the far north to the far south. 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:10.340 And you lead them majestically. 00:09:11.060 --> 00:09:12.740 And don't just kill David. 00:09:13.159 --> 00:09:15.659 Wipe out everyone who's on his side. 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:21.120 If they're in a city, you put ropes around that city and drag it to the ground until it 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:22.120 doesn't exist anymore. 00:09:25.419 --> 00:09:27.980 Well, verse 14. 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:39.259 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, the council of Hushai the Archite is better than 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:40.779 the council of Ahithophel. 00:09:42.420 --> 00:09:49.080 Hushai successfully appealed to Absalom's pride, his vanity, his desire to be at the center 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:56.720 of everything, even though Ahithophel's advice was actually militarily the more prudent advice. 00:09:56.720 --> 00:10:00.440 The advice that would have worked if he took it. 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:11.000 But then we have the end of verse 14, which says, for the Lord had ordained to defeat the 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:16.800 good council of Ahithophel so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom. 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:24.840 Now, if you read the book of Samuel, if you read most biblical narratives, there aren't many 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:26.259 statements like this one. 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:30.540 That explicitly reveal God's sovereign purposes. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:34.840 And so when you see one, you should stop and notice it. 00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:37.340 It's sort of like if you're hiking. 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:43.340 If you're hiking on a trail in the woods, most of the time, you got to look for those little 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:44.860 dots, right? 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:47.080 On the rocks or on the trees in front of you. 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:54.020 And if it snowed, then you got to look even more carefully or follow the footprints, right? 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:55.680 And you're sort of looking one at a time. 00:10:56.200 --> 00:11:02.639 But then every once in a while, you might come to a clearing or a trail junction or a major 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:03.120 landmark. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:07.019 And there's this like big wooden sign, right? 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:10.779 That says summit 1.4 miles. 00:11:11.820 --> 00:11:14.320 Waterfall 3.6 miles. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:18.620 This trail, you know, West Trail, North Trail, whatever. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:19.500 Right? 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:26.019 And so when you get to one of those markers, you're not just sort of going step by step, 00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:28.240 but you can sort of see the big picture. 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:31.120 And you get an idea, that's where I want to go. 00:11:32.059 --> 00:11:33.759 That's where this trail is leading me. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:40.659 And that's like what this, this statement is one of those big signs that says, here's 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:50.460 what God is doing in the midst of all this, you know, human acting and reacting. 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:59.840 You know, because if you just read these stories, you know, it can sometimes be confusing. 00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:01.120 Who's on whose side? 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:01.860 And who's right? 00:12:01.940 --> 00:12:02.600 And who's wrong? 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:05.840 And should we, you know, is Ahithophel right? 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:07.440 Is Hushai right? 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:09.040 And what about David? 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:13.200 I mean, David's the anointed king, but then he does this terrible thing with Bathsheba. 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.519 And I mean, is he good? 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:15.080 Is he bad? 00:12:15.160 --> 00:12:17.240 Like, it's a little murky. 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:20.620 All right, but what does this statement say? 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:24.960 So first of all, it says Ahithophel's counsel was good. 00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:29.120 Now that doesn't mean it's morally good, but it means it was strategically effective. 00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:31.580 Or functionally effective. 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:40.060 It would have worked if Absalom had followed it, but the Lord had arranged to frustrate it. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.920 You see, God had chosen David to be king and not Absalom. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:50.920 And the main point of Samuel, if you want to summarize the book of Samuel in one sentence, 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:54.440 it's God brings down the proud and he raises up the humble. 00:12:54.440 --> 00:13:02.960 And Absalom is one of the proud who exalts himself and lifts himself up. 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:06.500 And so God says, I'm going to bring him down. 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:13.139 And I'm going to, even though David has failed, he had repented. 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:16.759 And God says, I'm not done with David yet. 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:19.539 I'm not going to bring David down forever. 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.519 I'm not done with him. 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:25.919 I'm going to uphold him because he trusts in me. 00:13:28.079 --> 00:13:30.220 So we see God didn't abandon David. 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:33.600 Even when David was betrayed by one of his closest advisors, 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:36.259 by one of his, when he had lost one of his best resources, 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:39.120 God didn't abandon him. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.600 So that's the first point. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:51.560 Second point, what we see in this passage is God judges those who remain unfaithful to his kingdom. 00:13:53.800 --> 00:14:01.879 If you look down at verse 23, we see Ahithophel's reaction to his advice not being followed. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:06.360 Verse 23, when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:10.019 he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:13.539 He set his house in order and hanged himself. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:17.480 And he died and was buried in the tomb of his father. 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:23.139 So Ahithophel saw that Absalom didn't follow his advice. 00:14:24.579 --> 00:14:28.120 I think he realized Absalom didn't follow my advice. 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:32.019 Things aren't, and so Absalom's not going to succeed. 00:14:33.579 --> 00:14:35.659 And if David comes back on the throne, 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:40.679 I've just betrayed the king and committed treason against the king. 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:43.120 So I'm going to deserve the death penalty. 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.839 There's no future for me in David's kingdom. 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:47.839 So I'm going to end it myself. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:55.080 So Ahithophel, I want to spend a little time thinking about Ahithophel. 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:58.160 Because his life ended tragically. 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:59.340 He was David's counselor. 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.560 High official in David's kingdom. 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.940 Powerful, close to David. 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.580 Trusted confidant. 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.340 David relied on him. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:13.040 And his life ends in a tragic way. 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:16.320 When he saw no hope for his future. 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.759 So let me ask this question. 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:23.560 Why would Ahithophel join Absalom instead of remaining loyal to David? 00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:25.240 Why did he betray David? 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.740 You have to think about this. 00:15:30.180 --> 00:15:32.940 You might think, well, maybe Ahithophel gave David some advice 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:35.080 that David didn't listen to. 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:39.259 And so Ahithophel was like, I don't want to advise you anymore 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:40.180 if you're not going to listen to me. 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:42.480 Well, that's probably actually not right. 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:45.960 Because chapter 16, verse 23 says, 00:15:46.520 --> 00:15:51.000 both Absalom and David highly esteemed Ahithophel's advice. 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:54.960 So it's probably not because David didn't listen to him. 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:58.480 You might think, well, maybe Ahithophel was being pragmatic. 00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:01.000 Maybe he was like, David's getting older. 00:16:01.420 --> 00:16:02.720 He seems indecisive. 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:05.759 If Absalom's young and handsome, charismatic leader, 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:07.139 I'm going to side with the winner. 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.240 Possibly. 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:14.500 But at the same time, Absalom was a risky bet. 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:16.820 And he didn't end up listening to Ahithophel's advice. 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:18.460 And he didn't end up succeeding. 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:23.639 There's one very likely factor that motivated Ahithophel. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:28.360 And we can't be 100% sure, 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:31.180 but I think this is the most likely reason 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:33.460 that would have motivated him to do what he did. 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:38.480 If you look in 2 Samuel 23, 34, 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.220 it's an obscure verse. 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:43.240 It says, Ahithophel had a son named Eliam. 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.800 Now, there's only one other place 00:16:46.800 --> 00:16:49.840 where a man named Eliam appears in the Bible. 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:52.580 And that's 2 Samuel 11, verse 3. 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:54.180 Right? 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:56.440 These are two verses you'd sort of never notice 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:58.500 unless you do a Bible gateway word search. 00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.259 Right? 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:01.440 And you realize these are the only two. 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.700 And you've got to have somebody 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.019 who tells you to do that word search too 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.059 because you wouldn't guess it on your own. 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:07.840 Right? 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.880 I didn't guess this on my own. 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.059 Right? 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:14.100 Eliam was the father of Bathsheba. 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:17.639 Now, if this is the same Eliam, 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.679 which it probably is, 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:23.799 Ahithophel is Bathsheba's grandfather. 00:17:25.959 --> 00:17:29.579 Now, imagine if you're Ahithophel 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:32.099 and you're David's counselor 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:36.159 and Bathsheba is your granddaughter. 00:17:37.199 --> 00:17:39.240 And then you see what David does. 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:42.460 That he steals her from her husband 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:45.339 and violates her 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:47.640 and then gets her husband killed. 00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:50.160 And then you think, 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:52.940 am I going to stick with this guy or not? 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:57.319 Maybe we can understand 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:59.500 why Ahithophel defected. 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:01.640 He was furious with David. 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:03.660 And in one sense, he was right 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:06.740 because God was furious with David too. 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:08.819 And that's why God sent the prophet Nathan 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:12.019 to rebuke him 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:16.379 after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:20.659 But when Nathan confronted him, 00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:22.500 what was David's response? 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:24.899 David said, 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.159 I've sinned against the Lord. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.279 And he wept. 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:33.220 And he wrote what we have now as Psalm 51 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.839 where he said, 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:36.119 Have mercy on me, O God, 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:38.399 according to your steadfast love. 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:41.939 I'm full of sin and iniquity 00:18:41.939 --> 00:18:43.939 and I need your mercy. 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:47.079 And I rely only on your mercy. 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:52.319 And the prophet Nathan said to him, 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:55.480 The Lord has put away your sin. 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:57.399 You shall not die. 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.419 In other words, 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:01.240 God's not finished with you yet. 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:04.400 God saw that David's repentance 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:05.960 was sincere. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.440 It wasn't just a show, 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:10.559 but it was sincere 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:12.539 and enduring. 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.819 And God said to David, 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:17.319 I'm not going to totally remove you 00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:19.400 from my kingdom. 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:24.359 And I think that's what Ahithophel 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:25.960 couldn't accept. 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:28.960 Ahithophel couldn't accept 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:30.880 that God would forgive 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:33.840 and even restore David 00:19:33.840 --> 00:19:37.900 after such a serious moral failure 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:40.440 involving his granddaughter, 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:42.299 of all people. 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:45.340 But here's the irony. 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:49.860 In Ahithophel's animosity toward David, 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:53.460 Ahithophel ends up advising Absalom 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:56.059 to be even worse 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:57.779 than David was. 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:01.039 David had violated Bathsheba. 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:04.160 But the first thing Ahithophel 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:05.660 advises Absalom to do 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:09.559 is sleep with all of David's concubines 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:12.559 in a tent on the roof of the palace. 00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:14.440 The end of chapter 16. 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.740 David had violated one woman 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:20.299 and Ahithophel counsels Absalom 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:22.059 to violate a whole bunch of them. 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:25.779 to establish his kingdom, supposedly. 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:30.679 David had intentionally arranged 00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:32.619 for Uriah to be killed in battle 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:34.159 and targeted. 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:37.659 That's exactly what Ahithophel says 00:20:37.659 --> 00:20:38.419 to do to David. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.139 He says, 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.700 come upon him when he's weary 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:43.119 and discouraged 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.819 and in a panic 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:46.059 and kill him. 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:49.740 And then at the end, 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:53.039 Ahithophel couldn't fathom 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:53.859 the possibility 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:55.980 that God could forgive 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:57.359 and restore David 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:58.659 after he had sinned 00:20:58.659 --> 00:21:00.779 so grievously. 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:04.539 And so when Ahithophel 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:07.619 saw that he had failed 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:09.200 grievously 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:12.000 and his advice wasn't listened to, 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.500 Ahithophel couldn't imagine 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.339 any possibility 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.000 that David 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.839 would ever forgive 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.920 and restore him 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.859 and include him 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:20.639 in his kingdom again. 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:24.920 Now here's another irony. 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.200 In chapter 19, 00:21:27.300 --> 00:21:28.020 when David returns 00:21:28.020 --> 00:21:28.680 to Jerusalem, 00:21:29.800 --> 00:21:32.920 he forgives all his enemies. 00:21:35.100 --> 00:21:36.380 He forgives the guy 00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:37.080 who tricked him 00:21:37.080 --> 00:21:38.460 in chapter 16. 00:21:38.580 --> 00:21:39.380 He forgives the guy 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.160 who cursed him 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:41.480 in chapter 16. 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:44.559 And most likely, 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:45.940 he would have forgiven Ahithophel 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:48.740 if Ahithophel was still there. 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.660 You see, 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:55.079 Ahithophel's unwillingness 00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:56.839 to forgive David 00:21:56.839 --> 00:22:00.420 poisoned his career, 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:02.980 poisoned his judgment, 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:05.380 and poisoned his life 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:06.339 and his end. 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:10.539 So I think there's a warning here. 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:14.819 If there's someone 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.700 that you're unwilling 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.500 to forgive, 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.960 if there's someone 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.640 that you're holding 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:21.779 a grudge against, 00:22:23.360 --> 00:22:24.019 if there's someone 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.920 that you don't want 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:26.120 to be reconciled with 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:28.180 even if they repent, 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:32.380 beware. 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.160 Hebrews says, 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.519 don't see to it 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.759 that no root 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.579 of bitterness 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:39.220 springs up 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.880 and causes trouble 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.980 and by it 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.200 many become defiled. 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.540 That's why Jesus 00:22:45.540 --> 00:22:46.240 taught us to pray, 00:22:46.360 --> 00:22:47.020 forgive us 00:22:47.020 --> 00:22:47.940 our sins 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:50.200 even as we forgive 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:50.840 those who sin 00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:51.600 against us. 00:22:53.780 --> 00:22:54.300 Because, 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:54.860 you see, 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.660 when we're unwilling 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:57.480 to forgive others, 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.620 we can become 00:22:58.620 --> 00:22:59.320 as bad 00:22:59.320 --> 00:23:00.180 or worse 00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:01.560 than the people 00:23:01.560 --> 00:23:02.120 we refuse 00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:02.740 to forgive. 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:05.559 And that's the warning 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.960 that we see 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.740 from Ahithophel. 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.380 Perhaps a warning 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.299 we wouldn't have expected. 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:16.160 But there's also 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:20.920 an invitation 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:23.279 to come to the king 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:23.859 and be forgiven. 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.400 To receive forgiveness 00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:27.440 from Jesus Christ 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:30.559 and by his spirit 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.200 living in us 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.759 to have the power 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.759 to extend his forgiveness 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.400 to others 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:37.299 and to be reconciled 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:37.799 to someone 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.960 when they also 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.799 express repentance. 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:45.799 There's only one other 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.639 character in the Bible 00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:48.259 who's like Ahithophel. 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.319 Maybe you can see 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:50.940 the parallels. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.919 A trusted friend 00:23:52.919 --> 00:23:54.159 who ended up 00:23:54.159 --> 00:23:54.799 betraying 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:56.399 the Lord's anointed king 00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:58.680 whose counsel 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.919 was turned to foolishness 00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:01.079 and who ended 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:02.099 his life in despair. 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.539 Judas. 00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:07.079 Of course 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:08.720 unlike David 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.700 Judas had no 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:12.420 Jesus had committed 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:13.159 no sin 00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:14.599 that Judas 00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:15.220 had to forgive 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.079 or overlook. 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.720 But it's certainly 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.500 possible that 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.779 one of the things 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.599 Judas resented 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.220 about Jesus 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.940 was his teaching 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.579 about forgiveness. 00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.460 It's possible 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.519 that Judas 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:31.500 was one of the zealots 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.539 that may be 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:33.299 what his last name 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:33.579 means 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.240 Iscariot 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:37.880 and the zealots 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.180 were people 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:39.000 who wanted to kill 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.759 the Romans 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:41.160 and overthrow them 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:41.980 and Judas 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.440 may have been 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:42.880 disappointed 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:43.539 that that wasn't 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.240 Jesus' agenda 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:46.339 and that Jesus 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:48.120 even talked about 00:24:48.120 --> 00:24:49.359 forgiveness 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.480 for enemies. 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.339 That may have been 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:52.960 part of why 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.319 Judas 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.740 decided 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:56.059 I'm not going to 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.579 follow this king 00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:56.960 anymore. 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.259 And just like 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:00.579 David 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.279 and Ahithophel 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.440 well 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:06.539 well 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:08.180 Jesus offered 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:08.740 Judas his 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.059 friendship 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:09.920 to the very end. 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.579 He gave him 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.119 the piece of bread 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:12.920 at the last supper 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:15.759 reaching out to him 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.379 offering him 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:16.920 his friendship 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.980 his loyalty 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.059 and yet 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:20.200 Judas rejected it. 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.379 Anyway 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:25.540 God 00:25:25.540 --> 00:25:26.840 provides 00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:27.800 God 00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:28.080 doesn't 00:25:28.080 --> 00:25:28.740 abandon us 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.340 when we're 00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:29.760 betrayed 00:25:29.760 --> 00:25:30.980 God judges 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.760 those who remain 00:25:31.760 --> 00:25:32.720 unfaithful to his 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:32.980 kingdom 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.660 and third 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.780 God provides 00:25:34.780 --> 00:25:35.080 for us 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:35.560 through faithful 00:25:35.560 --> 00:25:36.080 friends. 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:38.760 So we've seen 00:25:38.760 --> 00:25:39.420 God's purpose 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.160 to bring down 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.580 Absalom 00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:41.200 and to rescue 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.640 David 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:43.300 but we also 00:25:43.300 --> 00:25:43.720 see in this 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:43.980 chapter 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.720 some of how 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.640 God accomplished 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.560 that plan. 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:49.240 If you read 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.299 verse 15 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:53.440 let's look at 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:53.899 verse 15 00:25:53.899 --> 00:25:54.379 then Hushai 00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:54.859 said to 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.779 Zadok 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.460 and Abiathar 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.039 the priests 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:58.240 thus and so 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.879 did Ahithophel 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.619 counsel Absalom 00:25:59.619 --> 00:25:59.919 and all 00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:00.539 the elders 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:00.980 of Israel 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:01.539 and thus and so 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.200 have I counsel. 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:03.299 Now therefore 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:03.960 send quickly 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:04.639 and tell David 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.460 don't stay 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.019 tonight at the 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.440 fords of the 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:06.740 wilderness 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.859 by all means 00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:08.500 pass over 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.399 lest the king 00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:09.940 and all the people 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.460 who are with him 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.099 be swallowed up. 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:11.819 It seems like 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.720 Hushai doesn't 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.159 know 00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:14.299 what Absalom's 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:14.779 going to do. 00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:16.059 He doesn't know 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:16.720 if Absalom's 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.099 going to listen 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:17.819 to Ahithophel 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.759 and start 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.440 pursuing David 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:19.919 immediately 00:26:19.919 --> 00:26:21.279 or if he's 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.019 going to listen 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.539 to Hushai 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.799 who's basically 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.200 getting him 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.700 to delay. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.859 And so Hushai 00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:27.759 sends a warning 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.700 message to David 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:30.000 through some people 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.460 that he had 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.460 previously arranged. 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.859 And so in this 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:34.559 chapter we see 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.240 how that happened. 00:26:35.919 --> 00:26:36.559 There are 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:39.440 at least 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.639 five different 00:26:40.639 --> 00:26:41.639 people involved. 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.319 Zadok 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:43.220 and Abiathar 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:43.799 the priests. 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.059 They tell their 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:45.779 sons Jonathan 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.740 and Ahamaz 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:48.160 in verse 17 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:49.559 and there's 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.299 a female servant 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.139 involved as well 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:51.619 who's passing 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.519 the message to them. 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.039 They almost get 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.619 found out. 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.220 Verse 18 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.740 a young man 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.200 saw them 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:56.879 and told Absalom 00:26:56.879 --> 00:26:57.500 so both of them 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.559 went away quickly 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.799 and came to the 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.339 house of a man 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.059 at Behurim 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:02.920 who had a well 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:03.480 in his courtyard. 00:27:03.639 --> 00:27:04.079 They went down 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.539 into it 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.319 and the woman 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:06.619 the man's wife 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:07.319 took and spread 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:07.940 a covering over 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.599 the well's mouth 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.480 and scattered grain 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:09.859 on it 00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:10.480 and nothing was 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:10.960 known of it. 00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:12.519 When Absalom's 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.079 servants came to 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.599 the woman at the 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.180 house they said 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:16.140 where Ahamahaz 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:16.680 and Jonathan 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.620 and the woman 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.539 said to them 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.000 they have gone 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.320 over the 00:27:19.320 --> 00:27:19.860 brook of water 00:27:19.860 --> 00:27:20.720 and when they 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.000 had sought 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.420 and could not 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:21.740 find him 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.120 they returned 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:22.640 to Jerusalem. 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.799 After they had 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:24.259 gone the men 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.720 came up out 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.039 of the well 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.320 and went 00:27:25.320 --> 00:27:25.640 and told 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.180 King David 00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:27.299 and David 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:27.740 flees. 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:30.120 So you might 00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:30.519 ask well 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.500 okay so what's 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:31.839 the point of 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.440 that whole 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:32.980 paragraph I 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.480 just read? 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.220 Why doesn't 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.620 the author 00:27:35.620 --> 00:27:36.620 simply say 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:41.240 Absalom didn't 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.339 follow Ahithophel's 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:42.799 counsel he 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.960 followed Hushai's 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.579 counsel and so 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:45.299 David was safe. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.660 Why does he 00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:47.140 tell this whole 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:48.359 story about two 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:49.259 guys and being 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.940 seen and being 00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:50.660 hidden in a well 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:52.339 and the woman 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:53.259 saying no they're 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.140 not here they're 00:27:54.140 --> 00:27:55.420 over the water. 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:57.320 here's what I 00:27:57.320 --> 00:27:57.680 think the point 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.160 of this paragraph 00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:58.620 is. 00:28:00.560 --> 00:28:01.580 Not only that it 00:28:01.580 --> 00:28:02.140 would make a good 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:03.420 action movie scene 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.480 right? 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.640 Narrow escape 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:07.259 they barely make 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:09.220 it but we see 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.660 in this chapter 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.400 we see God's 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:11.120 sovereign purpose 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:12.400 verse 14 and we 00:28:12.400 --> 00:28:13.820 also see the 00:28:13.820 --> 00:28:15.220 people whom God 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.880 uses who take 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:21.220 risks to be 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.039 loyal to David 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:23.420 whom God uses 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:23.960 to accomplish 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:24.380 his purpose. 00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:25.000 So we see that 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.660 God has sovereign 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.519 purposes and that 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:26.920 we're also 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:28.160 responsible to 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:28.839 play our part 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:29.279 in them. 00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:31.099 And God uses 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:32.779 people who step 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:34.339 up and do 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:35.039 their little parts 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.640 even if it's 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:36.220 passing on a 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.599 message to 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:37.579 somebody else or 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.339 hiding two guys 00:28:38.339 --> 00:28:39.019 under a well. 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.339 Sort of like 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.740 Rahab did when 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.640 the spies came 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.960 into Jericho 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:47.319 back in the 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.039 book of Joshua. 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:52.539 So we see 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:54.539 both these things 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.319 in the midst of 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:55.940 a hostile world 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.519 God has a 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.220 sovereign plan to 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.700 preserve his 00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:58.519 kingdom and we 00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.200 see that God 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.460 uses us when we 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.319 take risks and 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.059 step out in ways 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.819 that are loyal to 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:03.079 him. 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.960 Verse 24 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.899 David arrives at 00:29:06.899 --> 00:29:07.519 Mahanaim 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:09.119 that's about 30 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:09.799 miles north of 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.480 where he'd crossed 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.220 the Jordan 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:13.500 and we come to 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:13.920 the end of the 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.960 chapter verse 27 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:15.799 when David came to 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.359 Mahanaim 00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.740 Shobbi the son of 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.779 Nahash from 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.339 Rabbah of the 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.000 Ammonites and 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.919 Mekur the son of 00:29:20.919 --> 00:29:21.740 Amiel from 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:23.619 Lodabar and 00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:24.279 Barzillai the 00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:25.679 Gileadite from 00:29:25.679 --> 00:29:27.259 Rogalim brought 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.299 beds, basins, and 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:28.959 earthen vessels, 00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:30.179 wheat, barley, 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:31.000 flour, parched 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.819 grain, beans, and 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.619 lentils, honey, and 00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:34.139 curds, and sheep, and 00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:34.639 cheese from the 00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:36.459 herd for David and 00:29:36.459 --> 00:29:37.059 the people with him 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.740 to eat for they 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.839 said the people are 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:40.179 hungry and weary 00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:42.099 and thirsty in the 00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:42.399 wilderness. 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:46.440 So we see God 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.600 provides for David 00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:49.300 when one of his 00:29:49.300 --> 00:29:50.820 closest advisors has 00:29:50.820 --> 00:29:51.600 betrayed him. 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:53.660 God provides several 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:55.180 faithful friends. 00:29:56.120 --> 00:29:57.000 All these people who 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.620 pass along the 00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:59.280 message so that David 00:29:59.280 --> 00:30:00.280 can be warned and 00:30:00.280 --> 00:30:02.019 flee to safety and 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.680 preserve his own 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:04.060 life and the life of 00:30:04.060 --> 00:30:05.280 the men with him. 00:30:08.080 --> 00:30:11.320 And we see these 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:13.579 three men in verse 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:15.079 27 to 28 who come 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:18.639 to provide a place 00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:20.899 for them to rest and 00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:22.619 some food and drink to 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:24.000 refresh them in the 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.299 wilderness. 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:27.000 And so we see God 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.679 provides for David 00:30:27.679 --> 00:30:28.179 through faithful 00:30:28.179 --> 00:30:28.659 friends. 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.679 Now these three guys 00:30:30.679 --> 00:30:32.500 at the end, let me 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.679 just introduce you to 00:30:33.679 --> 00:30:34.619 them briefly because 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:35.159 they're an interesting 00:30:35.159 --> 00:30:35.659 bunch. 00:30:36.379 --> 00:30:37.200 Shobbi, son of 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.899 Nahash from Rabbah 00:30:38.899 --> 00:30:39.639 of the Ammonites. 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:40.980 Now he's interesting 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:43.980 because he is from a 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:46.160 pagan background, an 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:47.759 Ammonite, right? 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:48.520 The Ammonites were 00:30:48.520 --> 00:30:49.360 another group of people 00:30:49.360 --> 00:30:50.040 who were not part of 00:30:50.040 --> 00:30:50.800 the people of Israel. 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:54.060 And Shobbi's brother 00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:56.960 appears in chapter 10. 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:04.000 Basically David had a 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:05.440 sort of some kind of a 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:07.920 treaty or David was 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:10.340 loyal to Nahash, the 00:31:10.340 --> 00:31:11.279 father of Shobbi and 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.660 his brother. 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:14.320 And Nahash had been 00:31:14.320 --> 00:31:14.920 loyal to David. 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:16.740 And so when Nahash 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:18.140 died, David sent a 00:31:18.140 --> 00:31:20.000 delegation to express 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:21.279 condolences to the 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:23.120 family concerning the 00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:23.860 death of their father 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.640 who had been the king. 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:27.180 And Shobbi's brother 00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:30.180 rejected this kindness. 00:31:31.300 --> 00:31:32.320 And he was like, 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:33.100 yeah, right. 00:31:33.900 --> 00:31:36.380 David's, this is fishy 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:36.860 business. 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:39.460 And so he shames David's 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:41.060 men and he sends them 00:31:41.060 --> 00:31:43.420 back home and treats 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:45.160 them very badly and 00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:45.780 rejects them. 00:31:46.860 --> 00:31:49.860 But Shobbi here must have 00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:51.800 seen David's kindness and 00:31:51.800 --> 00:31:52.200 loyalty. 00:31:53.760 --> 00:31:55.480 And we see that Shobbi 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.640 responded positively. 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:57.940 Right? 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.760 So Shobbi's brother was 00:31:58.760 --> 00:31:59.760 like, yeah, right. 00:31:59.800 --> 00:32:00.740 Don't deal with this guy. 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:02.180 You know, he's tricking you. 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:02.960 And Shobbi's like, 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:04.000 actually, no, he's not. 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:06.100 He's the real stuff. 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:08.060 He's good to his word. 00:32:09.100 --> 00:32:11.560 And his, he was won over 00:32:11.560 --> 00:32:12.560 by David's kindness and 00:32:12.560 --> 00:32:13.880 loyalty, even though he 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:16.019 was from a non-Israelite 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.380 background. 00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.460 So that's the first guy. 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:20.140 Second guy, Machir, son of 00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:21.360 Amiel from Lodabar. 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:23.480 The only other thing we know 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.759 about him is that the 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.580 beginning of David's 00:32:25.580 --> 00:32:27.600 kingdom, he was taking care 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:29.459 of Mephibosheth, who was 00:32:29.459 --> 00:32:31.299 one of Saul's surviving 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.799 relatives. 00:32:32.439 --> 00:32:34.099 So most likely, he was also 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:35.379 not on David's side from 00:32:35.379 --> 00:32:35.859 the beginning. 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:37.579 He was on Saul. 00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:39.059 He was probably loyal to 00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:39.319 Saul. 00:32:39.419 --> 00:32:40.319 That's probably why he was 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:41.259 taking care of Saul's 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:42.859 grandson, Mephibosheth. 00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:46.359 And yet, what did David do 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:46.939 to Mephibosheth? 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:48.879 He extended kindness and 00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:50.579 loyalty to him and brought 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:52.059 Mephibosheth into his court 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:54.279 and was faithful to his 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:55.159 covenant with Jonathan, 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:56.159 Mephibosheth's father. 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:58.820 So most likely, this guy 00:32:58.820 --> 00:33:02.259 Machir became loyal to 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.220 David because he saw 00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:05.040 David's kindness again. 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:07.100 Kindness to an outsider. 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.759 And the third guy, 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:11.240 Barsili, the Gileadite, in 00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:12.180 the next chapter we learn 00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:13.480 he's a wealthy, retired, 00:33:13.600 --> 00:33:14.540 80-year-old man. 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.980 This is the first time he 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:17.940 appears in the story, but 00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:19.560 later on, David is also 00:33:19.560 --> 00:33:20.920 kind and loyal to him as 00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:21.140 well. 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.660 And so these three guys, 00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.800 from all different 00:33:24.800 --> 00:33:26.140 backgrounds, have 00:33:26.140 --> 00:33:28.520 been won over by David's 00:33:28.520 --> 00:33:29.100 kindness. 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:31.440 They've become part of his 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.640 kingdom. 00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:34.660 They're his loyal followers 00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:37.960 because of David's 00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:39.259 kindness and David's 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:40.700 loyalty, his steadfast love. 00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:48.680 And, you know, isn't that, in 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.700 one sense, isn't that a 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:53.019 picture of who we are as a 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:53.319 church? 00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:54.980 Right? 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:57.180 We're all different kinds of 00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:58.279 people from all different kinds 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.519 of backgrounds, and some of us, 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.740 you know, would never have grown 00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:01.980 up seeing ourselves in a church. 00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:03.559 Some of us might have grown up 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:06.140 in another kind of church and 00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:07.019 never saw ourselves in a 00:34:07.019 --> 00:34:08.440 Baptist church or whatever, and 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.440 some of us don't really care that 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.240 it's a Baptist church, and 00:34:10.240 --> 00:34:10.760 that's fine. 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:12.960 Right? 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:15.139 But we're coming from all 00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:16.579 different backgrounds, but 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:18.059 we've been won over by the 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:19.659 kindness and loyalty of our 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:20.760 King, Jesus. 00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:25.059 And so we come to follow him, 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:26.519 we come to give our treasures 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:30.400 to him because he has shown us 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:32.260 his kindness, and he has shown us 00:34:32.260 --> 00:34:32.960 his faithfulness. 00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:36.659 So in conclusion, three things. 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:38.019 God doesn't abandon us when we've 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:38.480 been betrayed. 00:34:38.719 --> 00:34:39.900 God judges those who remain 00:34:39.900 --> 00:34:40.880 unfaithful to his kingdom. 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.960 God provides for us through 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:42.739 faithful friends. 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:44.239 We see how this is true for 00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:44.539 David. 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:47.940 Now you might, your last, one 00:34:47.940 --> 00:34:49.039 last question, you might say, 00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:50.739 well, how do we know it's true 00:34:50.739 --> 00:34:51.280 for us? 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:53.659 Okay, it's true for David. 00:34:54.219 --> 00:34:56.159 Nice story back then. 00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:58.940 How in the world, why in the 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.119 world should I assume that it will 00:35:00.119 --> 00:35:00.960 be true for me? 00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:02.199 Just because it happened to 00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:03.199 David doesn't mean it's going to 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:04.320 happen to me the same way. 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:06.700 And here's your answer. 00:35:08.260 --> 00:35:10.039 It's not just because it was true 00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:11.360 for David, it's true for us. 00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:15.920 It's that because, it's that David, 00:35:16.280 --> 00:35:19.460 it was true for David, and it was 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.420 also true for Jesus. 00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:25.380 When Jesus was betrayed, God did not 00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:26.100 abandon him. 00:35:27.240 --> 00:35:29.320 God did not abandon him to Judas's, 00:35:29.320 --> 00:35:32.000 Judas's, or the Jewish leaders, or 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:35.559 the Roman authorities' purposes. 00:35:36.740 --> 00:35:39.580 But even through their betrayal, God 00:35:39.580 --> 00:35:42.340 accomplished his purpose for Jesus, and 00:35:42.340 --> 00:35:44.100 to bring us salvation. 00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:47.720 God didn't abandon Jesus when he was 00:35:47.720 --> 00:35:48.120 betrayed. 00:35:49.680 --> 00:35:52.019 God brought judgment on Judas the 00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:52.559 betrayer. 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:56.539 God provided for Jesus. 00:35:58.159 --> 00:35:59.799 Even through faithful friends. 00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:01.920 Interestingly, most of his followers 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:03.039 abandoned him, but there were a 00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:05.900 couple who remained with him to the 00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:07.559 end, and who were there with him even 00:36:07.559 --> 00:36:08.239 at the cross. 00:36:11.099 --> 00:36:13.119 And you know, it's because these things 00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:15.779 are true of Jesus, and because Jesus 00:36:15.779 --> 00:36:19.519 promises, I will be with you, even to 00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:20.299 the end of the world. 00:36:20.300 --> 00:36:23.180 That's the reason why you can be 00:36:23.180 --> 00:36:24.640 confident these things are true of us, 00:36:25.060 --> 00:36:27.160 is if you trust in Jesus as your king, 00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:32.600 if you have put your trust in him, even 00:36:32.600 --> 00:36:34.860 if, even if like David, you have failed 00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:37.640 in the past, even if your life feels like 00:36:37.640 --> 00:36:39.420 it's falling apart, even if you're hungry, 00:36:39.660 --> 00:36:43.519 thirsty, weary in the wilderness, if you 00:36:43.519 --> 00:36:46.560 say, yes, King Jesus, you are my king, 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:50.500 God won't abandon you, even if you're 00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:50.980 betrayed. 00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:53.559 God will bring judgment on those who 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:57.539 remain outside his kingdom, and God 00:36:57.539 --> 00:36:59.679 will provide for you through faithful 00:36:59.679 --> 00:37:00.139 friends. 00:37:01.360 --> 00:37:02.059 Let's pray. 00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:10.559 Lord, we thank you for these stories in 00:37:10.559 --> 00:37:17.139 the Old Testament that are so realistic, 00:37:18.679 --> 00:37:24.179 Lord, that don't shy away from showing the 00:37:24.179 --> 00:37:30.980 messiness of life, the failures that we 00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:34.500 often get ourselves into, and the troubles 00:37:34.500 --> 00:37:36.900 that we face as human beings, but we thank you 00:37:36.900 --> 00:37:39.980 that we see in them your faithful and 00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:40.820 steadfast love. 00:37:41.500 --> 00:37:43.460 We thank you for your son, Jesus Christ, 00:37:44.660 --> 00:37:48.420 and that he is our merciful and faithful 00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:52.340 high priest who has drawn near to us and 00:37:52.340 --> 00:37:54.740 who has experienced these trials with us and 00:37:54.740 --> 00:37:57.639 who's died on behalf of our sins so that we 00:37:57.639 --> 00:37:59.420 can know your promises, so that we can know that 00:37:59.420 --> 00:38:05.320 you won't abandon us, that you are our friend who 00:38:05.320 --> 00:38:07.200 sticks closer than a brother, and you are the 00:38:07.200 --> 00:38:10.380 one who provides for us through faithful 00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:10.860 friends. 00:38:12.160 --> 00:38:14.000 Lord, we pray that we would experience your 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:15.780 provision, that we would trust in your 00:38:15.780 --> 00:38:18.460 provision through Jesus Christ, and that we 00:38:18.460 --> 00:38:21.160 would be the means of your provision and your 00:38:21.160 --> 00:38:24.720 grace for others as your spirit dwells in us. 00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:26.640 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:27.180 Amen.