October 14, 2024 - 2 Samuel 17:15-22

October 14, 2024 - 2 Samuel 17:15-22

¹⁵ Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so have I counseled. ¹⁶ Now therefore send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not stay tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’” ¹⁷ Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En-rogel. A female servant was to go and tell them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they were not to be seen entering the city. ¹⁸ But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So both of them went away quickly and came to the house of a man at Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard. And they went down into it. ¹⁹ And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth and scattered grain on it, and nothing was known of it. ²⁰ When Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman said to them, “They have gone over the brook of water.” And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

²¹ After they had gone, the men came up out of the well, and went and told King David. They said to David, “Arise, and go quickly over the water, for thus and so has Ahithophel counseled against you.” ²² Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they crossed the Jordan. By daybreak not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.

²³ When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.

This passage reminds me of Rahab and how she protected the Israelites that came to scout out the Promised Land. What a blessing she was to these men and God was able to turn the situation around through her desire to protect these scouts. Here we see that these young men were protected by a woman willing to step up and hide them. I love how they hung out in a well, waiting for their time to take information to King David. I love how they left as soon as possible and headed to King David. They insisted he act immediately as they were delivering the message about Ahithophel’s plan to kill David.

As we live, God places wise people in our lives. God uses these people to help us and protect us. Sound advice is invaluable. If we can discern that this sound advice lines up with God’s Holy Word, may we act quickly and be found in God’s will. Check yourself and be available to listen to godly counsel. Surround yourself with believers that are listening for God’s Word.