Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 17:1-14.
“Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Please let me choose 12,000 men that I may arise and pursue David tonight. I will come upon him while he is weary and exhausted and terrify him, so that all the people who are with him will flee. Then I will strike down the king alone, and I will bring back all the people to you. The return of everyone depends on the man you seek; then all the people will be at peace.” So the plan pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel.
Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say.” When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom said to him, “Ahithophel has spoken thus. Shall we carry out his plan? If not, you speak.” So Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good.” Moreover, Hushai said, “You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men and they are fierce, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is an expert in warfare, and will not spend the night with the people. Behold, he has now hidden himself in one of the caves or in another place; and it will be when he falls on them at the first attack, that whoever hears it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’ And even the one who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will completely lose heart; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man and those who are with him are valiant men. But I counsel that all Israel be surely gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea in abundance, and that you personally go into battle. So we shall come to him in one of the places where he can be found, and we will fall on him as the dew falls on the ground; and of him and of all the men who are with him, not even one will be left. If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it into the valley until not even a small stone is found there.” Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring calamity on Absalom.” 2 Samuel 17:1-14.
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The context about Hushai the Archite and Ahithophel provided in the prior chapter made the LORD’S action of thwarting the counsel of Ahithophel even more impressive. Absalom highly regarded the advice of Ahithophel, and Absalom was very suspicious of Hushai.
First, regarding Ahithophel, we remember how highly Absalom regarded the advice of Ahithophel. “The advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one inquired of the word of God; so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom.” 2 Samuel 16:23.
Second, regarding Hushai the Archite, we remember how suspicious Absalom was regarding Hushai. Absalom knew that Hushai was a good friend of David. “Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend (David)? Why did you not go with your friend?” Then Hushai said to Absalom, “No! For whom the LORD, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain.” 2 Samuel 16:17-18.
The LORD’S sovereignty over all is total and perfect. Despite what man wants, thinks, and proclaims about man’s alleged free-will, the LORD’s sovereignty even rules over man’s heart.
“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1.
“2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The LORD scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” Psalm 2:2-6.
God controls the smallest details of life on earth so that not even a sparrow nor even one of our hairs falls to the ground apart from the will of God (See Matthew 10:28-30), and God certainly not giving up any control over what is most important, namely salvation. God saves according to His purpose, according to His choice, not because of works nor even the will of man. “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.
“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 