DAVID'S PRAYER IS ANSWERED

Passage: 2 Samuel 17:1-14

Key verse: 14b

NIV

17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would[a] choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak.(A) I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king(B) 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

5 But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai(C) the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”

7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs.(D) Besides, your father is an experienced fighter;(E) he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place.(F) If he should attack your troops first,[b] whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion,(G) will melt(H) with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.(I)

11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba(J)—as numerous as the sand(K) on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley(L) until not so much as a pebble is left.”

14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice(M) of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.”(N) For the Lord had determined to frustrate(O) the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster(P) on Absalom.(Q)

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Samuel 17:1 Or Let me
  2. 2 Samuel 17:9 Or When some of the men fall at the first attack
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Hushai Saves David

17 Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 2 I will come upon him while he is (A)weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. (B)I will strike down only the king, 3 and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man,[a] and all the people will be at peace.” 4 And the advice seemed right in the eyes of Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

5 Then Absalom said, “Call (C)Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say.” 6 And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom said to him, “Thus has Ahithophel spoken; shall we do as he says? If not, you speak.” 7 Then Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good.” 8 Hushai said, “You know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged,[b] (D)like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Besides, your father is expert in war; he will not spend the night with the people. 9 Behold, even now he has hidden himself in one of the pits or in some other place. And as soon as some of the people fall[c] at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the valiant man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly (E)melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that those who are with him are valiant men. 11 But my counsel is that all Israel be gathered to you, (F)from Dan to Beersheba, (G)as the sand by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person. 12 So we shall come upon him in some place where he is to be found, and we shall light upon him as the dew falls on the ground, and of him and all the men with him not one will be left. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we shall drag it into the valley, until not even a pebble is to be found there.” 14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” (H)For the Lord had ordained[d] to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Samuel 17:3 Septuagint; Hebrew back to you. Like the return of the whole is the man whom you seek
  2. 2 Samuel 17:8 Hebrew bitter of soul
  3. 2 Samuel 17:9 Or And as he falls on them
  4. 2 Samuel 17:14 Hebrew commanded
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Ahithophel's plan (1-4) Years ago when David went forward to fight Goliath, he declared "for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." The same principle was true here as Hushai matched wits with Ahithophel. Ahithophel's counsel was unparalleled in the kingdom and his counsel always achieved its purpose. The plan he proposed to Absalom was excellent and well thought out. He recommended a swift and decisive attack before David and his men could prepare a defense. It kept Absalom safe, united Israel, protected the followers of David, and focused on David as the primary target. The problem was, though, that it wasn't God's plan. 2. Hushai's response (5-14) David had prayed for Ahithophel's advice to be turned into foolishness. These verses reveal how the LORD answered his prayer. After hearing Ahithophel's plan, Absalom summoned Hushai and sought his advice. Hushai's persuasive response played on Absalom's fear and pride. His plan wasn't intended to help Absalom, but to give David and his men more time. Nevertheless, Absalom and all the men of Israel declared Hushai's plan to be better than Ahithophel's. This was an amazing work of God.

Prayer: Father, help us to depend on you through prayer.

One Word: God answers the prayers of his people