I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading. I had been using One Year Bible Online, but it was time for a change.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Samuel 16-17.

    I find it educational to look at the advice Absalom accepted and the advice he rejected. When Ahithophel advised Absalom to sleep with David’s concubines where everyone would know he had done so, Absalom did not hesitate or question the advice. He immediately followed it. On the other hand, when Ahithophel advised Absalom to put 12,00 men under his command and send him out after David, Absalom chose to consult Hushai. Hushai advised Absalom to wait, gather the full army, and lead them himself.

    Paying attention to why Absalom followed the advice he chose can give us insights which will help us choose what advice we follow as well. When Ahithophel advised Absalom to sleep with David’s concubines it appealed to Absalom’s pride and lust. Then when Hushai advised him to wait and gather the entire army, leading it himself, in order to pursue David, Hushai played to both Absalom’s insecurities and to his ego. In addition, Hushai’s advice was to “play it safe”. Good advice may sometimes tell us to reduce risk, but it never claims there are no risks.