Do you feel like you are walking in the wilderness not knowing where you are going? Do you feel hungry and thirsty spiritually? Do you feel vulnerable? Has a family member done something behind your back that was totally unexpected? Has a friend made you look bad? Has your boss yelled at you for no reason? Is money tight? David experienced these issues when Absalom, his own son, tried to overthrow and defeat him.
Ahithophel counseled Absalom to choose 12,000 men to attack David tonight while he was weary and exhausted so everyone with him would flee. The plan pleased Absalom and Israel’s elders (2 Sam. 17:1-4). Enemies seek your harm when you are most vulnerable.
Hushai said Ahithophel’s plan was not good. He said David would hide himself in a cave instead of spending the night with the people. Hushai said Absalom should lead Israel into battle to find David and defeat them “as the dew falls on the ground” so no one would be left. Absalom and all Israel said Hushai’s counsel was better than Ahithophel. The Lord ordained to thwart Ahithophel’s good counsel so the Lord would bring calamity on Absalom (2 Sam. 17:5-14). The Lord defeats plots against you.
Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar the priests to warn David not to spend the night at the fords in the wilderness so they would not be destroyed. A woman hid the messengers, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, in a well with grain spread over the covering so Absalom’s servants couldn’t find them (2 Sam. 17:15-20). People protect you from harm.
David and his men crossed the Jordan. When Ahithophel saw his counsel was not followed, he committed suicide (2 Sam. 17:21-23). God overthrows your enemies.
David came to Mahanaim and Absalom crossed the Jordan to camp in Gilead with the men of Israel. Absalom set Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Three men from the Mahanaim area brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley flour, grain, beans, lentils, seeds, honey, curds, sheep and cheese for David and people with him to eat. They said the people were “hungry, weary and thirsty in the wilderness” ( 2 Sam. 17:24-29). God provides resources at your point of need.
Praise God that He defeats plots against you, overthrows your enemies, and provides resources at your point of need & people to protect you from harm.
