Frustrated Counsel

2 Samuel 17:15-29
    15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so I have advised. 16 Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, ‘Do not spend this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’ ” 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed at En Rogel, for they dared not be seen coming into the city; so a female servant would come and tell them, and they would go and tell King David. 18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom. But both of them went away quickly and came to a man's house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down into it. 19 Then the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground grain on it; and the thing was not known. 20 And when Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” So the woman said to them, “They have gone over the water brook.”  And when they had searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. 21 Now it came to pass, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well and went and told King David, and said to David, “Arise and cross over the water quickly. For thus has Ahithophel advised against you.” 22 So David and all the people who were with him arose and crossed over the Jordan. By morning light not one of them was left who had not gone over the Jordan.
    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.
    24 Then David went to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. This Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra, an Israelite, who had gone in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. 26 So Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.
    27 Now it happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the people of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, 29 honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

Here is frustrated counsel which was accurate, but not aligned with God’s plan.  The wise counsel of Absalom’s advisor ignored over the misdirection of David’s man led Ahithophel to hang himself.  One may suppose that he counted his reputation ruined and his enemy escaped as warranting the desire not to live with the shame as less than trustworthy or valued for wise counsel.  He did set his house in order first, suggesting a verbal will at least to ensure all went to whom he desired so there was no confusion after his sudden departure by suicide.  The end result was the sparing of David’s life and that of his band with him to fight another day until David once more sat as king over all God’s people from Jerusalem.  Then some came to David’s band of brothers in Mahanaim with food to provide for them.  They acknowledged his right to be king by this, and strengthened his might to fight on and rule once more.  Some might suggest that he was not well liked, but incidents such as this say otherwise.  He was a man after God’s own heart after all (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22).  We therefore learn from this passage how the Lord preserves those He calls to His work in His way and in His time; we are to trust Him even in bad circumstances (Job 13:15) allowed by God.  He is faithful who calls and promises, and frustrates (Job 5:12) the crafty schemes and counsel of the enemy, confounding their plans for His sovereign purposes.