2 Samuel 17 acts as the strategic pivot of the rebellion. The narrative tension is high: David is vulnerable in the wilderness, and Absalom has the throne. The outcome of the entire civil war hinges on a single debate in Absalom’s war room between two counselors: Ahithophel, the traitorous genius, and Hushai, David’s loyal spy. The chapter illustrates God’s sovereignty working through human debate to protect His anointed. It also records the tragic end of Ahithophel and the miraculous provision for David in the desert.
1. The War Room: Ahithophel vs. Hushai (2 Samuel 17:1–14 NLT)
1 Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men to start out after David tonight. 2 I will catch up with him while he is weary and discouraged. I will panic him and all the people with him. Then his troops will flee, and I will kill only the king. 3 I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only one man’s life that you seek…” 4 Absalom and all the elders of Israel approved of this plan. 5 Then Absalom said, “Bring in Hushai the Archite. Let’s see what he thinks.” … 7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “This time Ahithophel has made a mistake. 8 You know your father and his men; they are mighty warriors and are as desperate as a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is an old soldier. He won’t be spending the night with the troops. 9 He is probably hiding in some cave or other place right now. … 11 “Instead, I recommend that you mobilize the entire army of Israel… and that you personally lead them into battle. 12 …We won’t leave a single one of them alive.” … 14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “Hushai’s advice is better than Ahithophel’s.” For the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which was really the better plan, so that he could bring disaster on Absalom.
Commentary:
- Ahithophel’s Plan (The Blitzkrieg):
- Hushai’s Counter-Intelligence: Hushai has to dismantle a perfect plan without appearing disloyal. He uses fear and vanity:
- Fear: He reminds Absalom of David’s legendary status (“bear robbed of cubs,” “old soldier”). He suggests David is a master of ambush who will slaughter the first wave of attackers, causing panic.
- Vanity: Ahithophel wanted to lead the army (v. 1); Hushai suggests Absalom should lead a massive host (v. 11). He appeals to Absalom’s ego to be the conquering hero.
- The Verdict (v. 14): They choose Hushai’s bad advice over Ahithophel’s good advice.
Insight: God often protects His people not by miracles of thunder, but by the confusion of their enemies’ minds. He turns the wisdom of the world into foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:20).
2. The Spy Network and the Escape (2 Samuel 17:15–22 NLT)
15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar the priests what Ahithophel had said… 16 “Quick!” he told them. “Find David and tell him not to stay at the shallows of the Jordan River tonight. He must go across at once…” 17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz had been staying at En-rogel… 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them hurried off to Bahurim. There they went to a man’s house… and climbed down into a well in the courtyard. 19 The man’s wife put a cloth over the top of the well and scattered grain on it to dry in the sun; so no one suspected anything. 20 When Absalom’s men arrived, they asked her, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman answered, “They went over the brook.” … 21 As soon as the men had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed out of the well and hurried to King David. “Quick!” they told him, “Cross the Jordan tonight!” … 22 So David and all the people with him went across the Jordan River during the night, and by dawn not one of them was left on the west bank.
Commentary:
- The Network: Hushai -> Priests (Zadok/Abiathar) -> Servant Girl -> Sons (Jonathan/Ahimaaz) -> David. This fragile chain of communication saved the kingdom.
- The Close Call (v. 18–19): The spies are spotted. They hide in a dry well (cistern) in Bahurim.
- The Woman of Bahurim: Like Rahab in Jericho, this unnamed woman risks her life to hide the spies. She uses a domestic disguise (drying grain) to cover the mouth of the well.
- Bahurim: This is the same village where Shimei cursed David (Ch. 16). In the same town, David has a fierce enemy and a brave ally.
- Crossing the Jordan (v. 22): David crosses the river at night. This is a moment of exodus and reversal. He leaves the Promised Land (West Bank) to survive in the wilderness (East Bank), just as Jacob fled from Esau.
Insight: God uses the “weak things” of the world—a servant girl, a woman drying grain, a dry well—to preserve the Messianic line.
3. The Suicide of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23 NLT)
23 When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, went to his hometown, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself. He died there and was buried in his father’s tomb.
Commentary:
- The Realization: Ahithophel knew that Hushai’s plan gave David time to regroup. He realized the rebellion would fail and that he would be executed as a traitor when David returned.
- “Set His Affairs in Order”: This details his cold rationality. He was not insane; he was calculated to the bitter end. He executed his will and then executed himself.
- Typology: Ahithophel is the Old Testament Judas.
- Both were trusted friends who ate at the master’s table (Psalm 41:9).
- Both betrayed the Lord’s Anointed.
- Both hanged themselves when their plot failed to yield the desired result (Matthew 27:5).
Insight: Ahithophel’s wisdom could save others, but it could not save himself. Without the fear of the Lord, intelligence leads only to despair.
4. Provision in the Wilderness (2 Samuel 17:24–29 NLT)
24 David soon arrived at Mahanaim. By now, Absalom had mobilized the entire army of Israel and was leading them across the Jordan River. … 27 When David arrived at Mahanaim, he was warmly greeted by Shobi son of Nahash of Rabbah, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim. 28 They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils, 29 honey, butter, sheep, cheese, and cow’s milk for David and all those who were with him. For they said, “The people must be hungry, tired, and thirsty in the wilderness.”
Commentary:
- Mahanaim (v. 24): A historic fortress city where Jacob wrestled with the angel (Genesis 32). It was also Ishbosheth’s former capital. It was a strong defensive position.
- The Three Benefactors (v. 27):
- Shobi of Ammon: The brother of Hanun (who started the war in Ch. 10). David seemingly installed him as a vassal after conquering Rabbah. He shows kindness where his brother showed cruelty.
- Machir of Lo-debar: The same man who hosted Mephibosheth (Ch. 9). He is a man who consistently supports the underdog and the exile.
- Barzillai the Gileadite: An elderly, wealthy man who supports David simply out of loyalty.
- The Feast (v. 28–29): God sets a “table in the wilderness” (Psalm 23:5) for David in the presence of his enemies. The list of food (honey, cheese, beds) emphasizes the tenderness of God’s care through human agents.
Insight: When Jerusalem rejected David, the wilderness embraced him. God often provides for His servants from unexpected sources (former enemies and strangers) when His own people turn away.
Theological Significance of 2 Samuel 17
- Sovereignty Over Minds: Verse 14 is the theological anchor. God can cloud the judgment of the brilliant and embolden the foolish to accomplish His purposes. He rules not just over nature, but over the counsels of men.
- The Two Counsels: The chapter presents a contrast between “earthly wisdom” (Ahithophel—ruthless, effective, deadly) and “divine providence” (Hushai’s disruption). It mirrors James 3:15–17.
- Provision: The abundance of food at Mahanaim is a tangible fulfillment of David’s trust in God. It reminds the reader of God feeding Israel Manna, reinforcing that David is the true leader of God’s people in the wilderness.
Practical Applications
- Praying Against “Ahithophels”: When facing strategic attacks or clever opponents, we can pray that God would “frustrate their counsel” and confuse their plans.
- The Value of Delay: Sometimes a delay in our plans (or the enemy’s plans) is God’s mercy. Hushai’s advice bought David time. Time is often the friend of truth.
- Hospitality as Ministry: Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai didn’t fight; they cooked. Their ministry of “beds and bowls” sustained the King. Practical service is as vital as military valor.
- The Danger of Ego: Absalom chose the plan that flattered him (“You lead them,” v. 11). Making decisions based on what makes us look good usually leads to disaster.
Sermon Titles
- The Defeat of Good Advice.
- A Well, A Woman, and A Warning.
- The Suicide of the Wise Man.
- A Table in the Wilderness (Mahanaim).
- Hushai the Archite: God’s Agent of Confusion.
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