QT 4/8/2023 2 Sam 17:15-18:4, Playing our part

2 Samuel 17:15–16 (ESV) —

15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so have I counseled. 16 Now therefore send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not stay tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’ ”

2 Samuel 17:21b–23 (ESV) —

21 After they had gone, the men … went and told King David. They said to David, “Arise, and go quickly over the water, for thus and so has Ahithophel counseled against you.” 22 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they crossed the Jordan. By daybreak not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.

23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.

2 Samuel 17:24 (ESV) —

24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 18:1–4 (ESV) —

1 Then David mustered the men who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David sent out the army, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the men, “I myself will also go out with you.” 3 But the men said, “You shall not go out. For if we flee, they will not care about us. If half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore it is better that you send us help from the city.” 4 The king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.” So the king stood at the side of the gate, while all the army marched out by hundreds and by thousands.

 

NOTE: What is interesting about the passage is that Hushai did not know that Absalom had chosen his counsel over Ahithophel, neither did Ahithophel. It was not until David escaped over the Jordan did both of them realize that Ahithophel's plan was not chosen. One wonders if part of the influence of God here, was the protection of the two young men and their warning to David that got him over the Jordan quickly. It was at that point that Absalom may have realized that it was futile to march quickly. How God brings about his will is a wonder. It can have a multitude of aspects that ultimately add up to one response. And even if it is not chosen, the scriptures promise that God can bring good out of any event. We each have a part to play, and it works best when we play our part. But if we have lost connection to the head (not listening or talking to the savior), how can we know our part?

 

PONDER:

1. What is my part in God's plan?
2. Am I seeking his plan for my life each day?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray to remain receptive to your will for my life. Help to know the part I play as I transition from a full-time job to the work of a retired person.