"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT AN INTERESTING ANSWER TO PRAYER"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT AN INTERESTING ANSWER TO PRAYER"

2nd Samuel 17:14  So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring disaster on Absalom.

Some explanatory thoughts/applications/questions and a prayer:

Earlier in this story of high treason by Absolom against his father David, King David had asked the Lord to intervene in the life of a man named Ahitophel who had betrayed King David. Here's what David prayed in  2nd Samuel 15:31 Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

A little later on, Ahithopel was attempting to advise Absolom on how to kill his father David, He laid out a plan to do so, ( See 2nd Sam 17:1-4 ) But, then a man who was a spy for David, named Hushai, was called by Absolom to give him a plan to consider in his attempts to murder his Father. Hushai's plan was accepted and Ahithophels was rejected. And, thus you have what is said in 2nd Samuel 17:14  So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring disaster on Absalom.

This was God's answer to David's prayer. But the story is not over yet. Here's what happened to Ahithopel.
2nd Sam 17:23 Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father’s tomb.

He was so upset that his advice had not been taken, that he wound up taking his own life. There are many lessons from this incredible story to be sure. But here are just a few that come to mind.

1. Integrity is better than treachery.

 Pro 11:3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
Or as it reads in the NLT "Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty." Imagine for a moment how different things might have been for Ahithopel if had been a man of honor, and not a self promoting traitor to King David?

2. Pride goes before a fall.

Prov 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. The NKJV reads this way  Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
God has built into life, that when a man raises himself up in pride, he can count on falling. And, such was the case with Ahithopel.

3. We reap what we sow.

 Galatians 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
And, the NLT reads this way "Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit."
Again, this is a law of God, and it cannot be broken.

4. God hears and answers prayers in His own way and time.

James 5:4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

Eph 1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

5. Our lives are ultimately in the hands of God.

Joshua 9:25 “And now, here we are, in your hands; do with us as it seems good and right to do to us.”
Psalm 31:15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.

6. Let us walk in the ways of the Lord, in love and righteousness.

Psalm 119:133 Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Some questions:

1. How did this story speak to your heart?

2. David asked God for something, and it was in God's will, and it was answered.

3. Do you look to God for His protection and safety?

4. Men make their choices, and their choices make them. That applies to us also doesn't it?

5. How do we reconcile the teaching of Jesus to pray for our enemies with what David prayed for?

6. Are you seeking to walk in humility before God? Or are you walking in pride?

A prayer:

Father, we are no better than any other man. Though You want us to be better than we are. You want to conform us into the image of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We agree with Your Word, we do not want to be led into temptation, we want to be kept from evil. Lord, help us to be humble, keep us from pride. Make us men and women of integrity, and keep us from corruption. We can do all things through Christ who makes us strong.
We love You, and desire to walk in Your ways Lord. In Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.