A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns

looks. From the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him” (2
Sam. 14:25). But Absalom worked hard to build on that popularity. He would go to the gate of
the city to meet those who had grievances they wanted to present to the king. After inquiring as
to the nature of the problem, Absalom agreed with the man that he had a good point and would
win his cause if the matter came to be judged. But Absalom would lament: the king had failed to
appoint a judge to hear his case and so the man was out of luck. Then he would sigh, “Oh, that I
were made judge in the land, everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I
would do him justice” (15:4). Day after day Absalom met with disgruntled citizens and led them
through the same scenario. “So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (v. 6).
It did not take long for Absalom to gain widespread public support for his cause using
this method. Soon he was ready to make his move. Absalom secured permission to leave
Jerusalem and travel to Hebron on the guise of paying a vow to the Lord. But Absalom sent spies
throughout the land as he prepared to lead a strong conspiracy against his father David. Among
those who followed Absalom was one of David’s wisest political counselors, Ahithophel.
When David learned the details of the conspiracy led by Absalom, he realized he could
not defend himself adequately if Absalom attacked him immediately in Jerusalem. Thus the
decision was made by the king that he and his loyal supporters should flee the city before
Absalom attacked. Yet as they left, David noticed one man who could do more for him in
Jerusalem than on the run. He turned to Hushai, and asked him to risk his life by pretending to
defect to Absalom. David knew Absalom would get wise counsel from Ahithophel and needed
his own wise counselor on the inside of Absalom’s cabinet to insure the rebel prince would not
accept it.
As David began his flight into the wilderness, Hushai awaited the arrival of Absalom in
Jerusalem. He did not have to wait long. He met with Absalom and convinced him he would
serve the new king as he had served the old king. Absalom apparently decided to accept the
advice of both counselors and make his own decisions if and when the two men could not agree.
The first thing Ahithophel suggested to Absalom was that he enter into relations with his
father’s concubines who had been left in Jerusalem to keep the palace. This was a common
gesture on the part of a rebel to demonstrate his authority over the preceding reign. Absalom
agreed to follow Ahithophel’s advice in this matter and “went in to his father’s concubines in the
sight of all Israel” (16:22).
Second, Ahithophel wisely advised Absalom to take a select group of his present army
and pursue David immediately while he had an advantage. It was here that Hushai was able to
help in the defense of David. He convinced Absalom a better plan would be to wait until he was
in a stronger position before pursuing his father. He argued that though David’s resources were
small, the men who followed him were experienced soldiers and could win an initial skirmish if
attacked by a small band of soldiers. Hushai argued this would demoralize the troops of Absalom
and discourage the fringe element among those following the new king. Then Hushai secretly
sent a warning to David informing him of the state of affairs. “Now when Ahithophel saw that
his counsel was not followed, he saddled his 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” (17:23).
By the time Absalom finally began pursuing his father, David’s men had had time to
organize. David divided the men who were with him into three companies, each under the
leadership of one of his mighty men of valor. He himself planned to fight with the men in the
struggle but the people objected. He was their king, and even if half the soldiers died on the