2 Samuel 16:23: “Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.”

June 25th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

When Absalom rebelled against his father, King David, and tried to take his throne, Ahithophel (who had been one of David’s trusted counselors), defected from David to Absalom. He advised Absalom to go into his father’s concubines to show all of Israel that he was taking the throne from his father. Ahithophel believed David would never forgive such a public insult, thus ensuring that Absalom could never regain David’s favor.

Ahithophel wasn’t just throwing gasoline on the fire of bitterness between David and his son Absalom, he was also making sure that by helping Absalom take hold of the throne, his new king would feel indebted to him. Although there was a kind of shrewd wisdom in his actions, Ahithophel was moving without God; and in final analysis, he was being unbelievably foolish. By ignoring God’s anointing on David as king, he was ignoring God and endangering his own life. Even though his counsel was as if he “had inquired at the oracle of God,” it wasn’t wise counsel from God, and in the end he was exposed.

How we need to guard against becoming a little too clever as we mature in our walk with God. Ungodly self-confidence always seems to be lurking just around the corner, waiting to grab us when we least expect it. Ahithophel had a public reputation for being a good counselor but that was only because he had been submitted to God Almighty. After turning away from God, it didn’t take long for it to be revealed that his wisdom was flawed.

“LORD, we do not want to ‘act’ wise today, but instead we desire to find true wisdom from You.”