2 Samuel Chapter 17

Hushai Counters Ahithophel's Advice

1Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: 3And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. 4And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

5Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. 6And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou. 7And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time. 8For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. 9Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. 10And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. 11Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. 12So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. 13Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there. 14And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

Hushai's Warning Saves David

(Psalm 55:1-23)

15Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled. 16Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him. 17Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. 18Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down. 19And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. 20And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

21And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you. 22Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.

23And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

24Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 25And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother. 26So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.

27And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, 28Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, 29And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice

1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight. 2 I will come on him while he is weary and exhausted, and will make him afraid. All the people who are with him shall flee. I will strike the king only; 3 and I will bring back all the people to you. The man whom you seek is as if all returned. All the people shall be in peace.” 4 The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

5 Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he says.” 6 When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up.” 7 Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.” 8 Hushai said moreover, “You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are fierce in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. 9 Behold, he is now hidden in some pit, or in some other place. It will happen, when some of them have fallen at the first, that whoever hears it will say, ‘There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom!’ 10 Even he who is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, will utterly melt; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men. 11 But I counsel that all Israel be gathered together to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that you go to battle in your own person. 12 So shall we come on him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light on him as the dew falls on the ground; and of him and of all the men who are with him we will not leave so much as one. 13 Moreover, if he be gone into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there isn’t one small stone found there.” 14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom.

Hushai’s Warning Saves David
(Psalm 55:1–23)

15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way; and I have counseled this way. 16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, ‘Don’t lodge this night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.’” 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying by En Rogel; and a female servant used to go and tell them; and they went and told king David. For they might not be seen to come into the city. 18 But a boy saw them, and told Absalom. Then they both went away quickly, and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down there. 19 The woman took and spread the covering over the well’s mouth, and spread out bruised grain on it; and nothing was known. 20 Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman said to them, “They have gone over the brook of water.” When they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

21 It happened, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David; and they said to David, “Arise and pass quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counseled against you.” 22 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they passed over the Jordan. By the morning light there lacked not one of them who had not gone over the Jordan.

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

24 Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 25 Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother. 26 Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.

27 It happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, 28 brought beds, basins, earthen vessels, wheat, barley, meal, parched grain, beans, lentils, roasted grain, 29 honey, butter, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David, and for the people who were with him, to eat: for they said, “The people are hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.”

Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice

1 Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; a then all the people will be at peace.”

4 This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

5 Then Absalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite as well, and let us hear what he too has to say.”

6 So Hushai came to Absalom, who told him, “Ahithophel has spoken this proposal. Should we carry it out? If not, what do you say?”

7 Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.”

8 He continued, “You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first, b whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.

11 Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba—a multitude like the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle. 12 Then we will attack David wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. And of all the men with him, not even one will remain.

13 If he retreats to a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a pebble can be found.”

14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

Hushai’s Warning Saves David
(Psalm 55:1–23)

15 So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised. 16 Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’ ”

17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, for they dared not be seen entering the city. 18 But a young man did see them and told Absalom. So the two left quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 Then the man’s wife took a covering and spread it over the mouth of the well, scattering grain over it so nobody would know a thing.

20 When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”

“They have crossed over the brook,” she replied. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem.

21 After the men had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed up out of the well and went to inform King David, saying, “Get up and cross over the river at once, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”

22 So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one left who had not crossed the Jordan.

23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

24 Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, c the Ishmaelite d who had married Abigail, e the daughter of Nahash f and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. 26 So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

27 When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim. 28 They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, g 29 honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

Footnotes:

3 a LXX; see also DSS; MT and bring all the people back to you. When everyone returns except the man you seek,
9 b Or If he should attack your troops first
25 c Ithra  is a variant of Jether ; see 1 Kings 2:5.
25 d Some LXX manuscripts (see also 1 Chronicles 2:17); MT and other LXX manuscripts Israelite
25 e Or Abigal , a variant of Abigail
25 f Or of Jesse ; see DSS and 1 Chronicles 2:13–16
28 g Most LXX manuscripts and Syriac; Hebrew includes roasted seeds .

Hushai Counters Ahithophel's Advice

1And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, 'Let me choose, I pray thee, twelve thousand men, and I arise and pursue after David to-night, 2and come upon him, and he weary and feeble-handed, and I have caused him to tremble, and all the people have fled who are with him, and I have smitten the king by himself, 3and I bring back all the people unto thee -- as the turning back of the whole is the man whom thou art seeking -- all the people are peace. 4And the thing is right in the eyes of Absalom, and in the eyes of all the elders of Israel.

5And Absalom saith, 'Call, I pray thee, also for Hushai the Archite, and we hear what is in his mouth -- even he.' 6And Hushai cometh in unto Absalom, and Absalom speaketh unto him, saying, 'According to this word hath Ahithophel spoken; do we do his word? if not, thou -- speak thou.' 7And Hushai saith unto Absalom, 'Not good is the counsel that Ahithophel hath counselled at this time.' 8And Hushai saith, 'Thou hast known thy father and his men, that they are heroes, and they are bitter in soul as a bereaved bear in a field, and thy father is a man of war, and doth not lodge with the people; 9lo, now, he is hidden in one of the pits, or in one of the places, and it hath been, at the falling among them at the commencement, that the hearer hath heard, and said, There hath been a slaughter among the people who are after Absalom; 10and he also, the son of valour, whose heart is as the heart of the lion, doth utterly melt, for all Israel doth know that thy father is a hero, and sons of valour are those with him. 11So that I have counselled: Let all Israel be diligently gathered unto thee, from Dan even unto Beer-Sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and thou thyself art going in the midst; 12and we have come in unto him in one of the places where he is found, and we are upon him as the dew falleth on the ground, and there hath not been left of him and of all the men who are with him even one. 13And if unto a city he is gathered, then they have caused all Israel to bear unto that city ropes, and we have drawn it unto the brook till that there hath not been found there even a stone.' 14And Absalom saith -- and all the men of Israel -- 'Better is the counsel of Hushai the Archite than the counsel of Ahithophel;' and Jehovah willed to make void the good counsel of Ahithophel for the sake of Jehovah's bringing unto Absalom the evil.

Hushai's Warning Saves David

(Psalm 55:1-23)

15And Hushai saith unto Zadok and unto Abiathar the priests, 'Thus and thus hath Ahithophel counselled Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and thus I have counselled; 16and now, send hastily, and declare to David, saying, Lodge not to-night in the plains of the wilderness, and also, certainly pass over, lest there be a swallowing up of the king and of all the people who are with him.' 17And Jonathan and Ahimaaz are standing at En-Rogel, and the maid-servant hath gone and declared to them -- and they go and have declared it to king David -- for they are not able to be seen to go in to the city. 18And a youth seeth them, and declareth to Absalom; and they go on both of them hastily, and come in unto the house of a man in Bahurim, and he hath a well in his court, and they go down there, 19and the woman taketh and spreadeth the covering over the face of the well, and spreadeth on it the ground corn, and the thing hath not been known. 20And the servants of Absalom come in unto the woman to the house, and say, 'Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?' and the woman saith to them, 'They passed over the brook of water;' and they seek, and have not found, and turn back to Jerusalem.

21And it cometh to pass, after their going on, that they come up out of the well, and go and declare to king David, and say unto David, 'Rise ye, and pass over hastily the waters, for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.' 22And David riseth, and all the people who are with him, and they pass over the Jordan, till the light of the morning, till one hath not been lacking who hath not passed over the Jordan.

23And Ahithophel hath seen that his counsel was not done, and he saddleth the ass, and riseth and goeth unto his house, unto his city, and giveth charge unto his household, and strangleth himself, and dieth, and he is buried in the burying-place of his father.

24And David came to Mahanaim, and Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him; 25and Amasa hath Absalom set instead of Joab over the host, and Amasa is a man's son whose name is Ithra the Israelite who hath gone in unto Abigail, daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, mother of Joab; 26and Israel encampeth with Absalom in the land of Gilead.

27And it cometh to pass at the coming in of David to Mahanaim, that Shobi, son of Nahash, from Rabbah of the Bene-Ammon, and Machir son of Ammiel, from Lo-Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite, from Rogelim, 28couch, and basin, and earthen vessel, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and roasted corn, and beans, and lentiles, and roasted pulse, 29and honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, have brought nigh for David, and for the people who are with him to eat, for they said, 'Thy people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.'

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 17?

2Introduction to 2 Samuel 17

3Context of 2 Samuel 17

4Ancient Key Word Study

5Compare & Contrast

62 Samuel 17 Unique Insights

72 Samuel 17 Connections to Yeshua

82 Samuel 17 Scriptural Echoes

92 Samuel 17 Devotional

10Did You Know

What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 17?

Introduction to 2 Samuel 17

The seventeenth chapter of 2 Samuel presents a pivotal moment in King David’s life during Absalom’s rebellion, showcasing a dramatic contrast between godly and ungodly counsel. This chapter brilliantly illustrates how יהוה (Yahweh) can work through human wisdom while simultaneously demonstrating His sovereign control over events, even amid political intrigue and family betrayal.

The narrative unfolds with breathtaking tension as we witness the clash between Ahithophel’s shrewd counsel and Hushai’s counter-strategy, ultimately revealing how the Lord’s purposes prevail even through the complex web of human decisions and divine providence. This chapter serves as a masterclass in understanding how spiritual warfare often manifests through human counsel and decision-making.

Context of 2 Samuel 17

This chapter continues the heartrending account of Absalom’s rebellion against his father David, following the events of 2 Samuel 16 where David fled Jerusalem and Absalom received counsel from Ahithophel. The immediate context shows David at his lowest point, having left Jerusalem barefoot and weeping, while his own son has usurped the throne through crafty manipulation of the people’s hearts.

Within the broader narrative of 2 Samuel, this chapter represents the climax of the consequences that Nathan prophesied would come upon David’s house following his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:10-12). The chapter serves as a crucial pivot point in the larger biblical narrative about kingship, demonstrating how the Davidic covenant remains unshaken despite human failings and family strife.

In the grand tapestry of Scripture, this chapter echoes themes that will later find their ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah’s experience of betrayal and victory. Just as David faced betrayal from his own son and trusted advisor, so too would Yeshua face betrayal from one of His closest disciples, yet emerge victorious according to God’s sovereign plan.

Ancient Key Word Study

יָעַץ (ya’ats) – “to counsel/advise”: This word appears multiple times in the chapter and carries deep significance in Hebrew thought. Beyond mere advice-giving, it connects to the concept of divine wisdom and strategic planning. The word shares its root with עֵצָה (etsah), suggesting that true counsel should flow from divine wisdom rather than mere human calculation.
סָכַל (sakal) – “to frustrate/make foolish”: Used in verse 14 regarding Ahithophel’s counsel, this word carries the theological weight of how God can turn worldly wisdom into foolishness, echoing themes found in 1 Corinthians 1:20. The root also connects to the word for “fool” in Psalms and Proverbs.
נָפַל (naphal) – “to fall”: When describing Ahithophel’s suicide, this word carries weighted meaning beyond physical falling. In biblical Hebrew, it often suggests a spiritual or moral falling, connecting to the greater theme of pride coming before a fall.
מָהַר (mahar) – “to hasten/be swift”: Used regarding the urgency of David’s situation, this word often appears in contexts where human haste meets divine timing, creating theological tension between urgent action and waiting on the Lord.
עָבַר (‘avar) – “to cross over”: This word, used regarding crossing the Jordan, carries rich theological significance in Hebrew thought, often symbolizing transition from danger to safety, death to life, and exile to restoration.
שָׁלַח (shalach) – “to send”: Beyond mere physical sending, this word often carries ministerial or prophetic connotations in Hebrew, suggesting divine commissioning or purposeful direction.
רוּחַ (ruach) – “spirit/wind”: Though subtly present in the narrative’s background, this word connects to divine intervention, showing how God’s Spirit often works through natural means to accomplish supernatural purposes.
עֵצָה (etsah) – “counsel”: Different from modern concepts of advice, this term in ancient Hebrew thought represented a fusion of wisdom, strategy, and spiritual discernment, often carrying covenantal implications.
חָכָם (chakam) – “wise”: Used to describe Ahithophel, this word in Hebrew thought encompasses not just intellectual capacity but moral character and spiritual alignment with divine purposes.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 1-4: Ahithophel’s counsel to pursue David immediately reflects classical Hebrew military strategy emphasizing swift action. The Hebrew phrase “אֶבְחֲרָה נָּא” (let me choose) uses the cohortative form, suggesting confident determination rather than mere suggestion. The alternative phrasing could have used the jussive form, which would have indicated more tentative advice.
Verse 5-7: Hushai’s introduction uses the word “גַּם” (also/too) strategically, creating a subtle linguistic connection to other biblical instances where God raises up alternative voices. The text could have used “וְ” (and) instead, but the chosen word emphasizes divine orchestration.
Verse 8: The comparison of David to a “bear robbed of cubs” (דֹּב שַׁכּוּל) employs specific Hebrew imagery. The alternative term “אַרְיֵה” (lion) could have been used, but the bear metaphor specifically emphasizes defensive rather than offensive ferocity.
Verse 14: The phrase “וַיהוה צִוָּה” (for the LORD had ordained) uses the perfect tense, emphasizing divine determination before the events unfolded. An imperfect tense would have suggested ongoing divine action rather than predetermined purpose.
Verse 16: The urgent message to David uses the imperative “אַל־תָּלֶן” (do not spend the night), which carries more force than the alternative jussive form would have, emphasizing the critical nature of immediate action.
Verse 17-21: The description of the messenger system uses multiple active participles, creating a sense of simultaneous action that alternative perfect verb forms would have missed, highlighting the complexity of God’s providential timing.
Verse 23: Ahithophel’s suicide is described with the phrase “וַיֵּחָנַק” (and he hanged himself), using a unique word that appears only here in the Hebrew Bible, perhaps suggesting the extraordinary nature of such an act among God’s people.

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2 Samuel 17 Unique Insights

The chapter contains fascinating parallels to ancient Near Eastern royal court literature, particularly in its depiction of competing counselors. However, unlike pagan accounts where divine intervention is arbitrary, this narrative shows יהוה (Yahweh) working through natural means to accomplish His covenant purposes. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 107a) notes that Ahithophel’s tragedy serves as a warning about how wisdom without fear of Heaven ultimately leads to destruction.

The ancient Jewish commentary Midrash Rabbah draws attention to the spiritual significance of the two women hiding the messengers in the well, seeing it as a reflection of how God often uses seemingly insignificant people to preserve His divine purposes. This echoes the actions of the Hebrew midwives in Exodus and Rahab in Joshua, showing a pattern of God using faithful women to preserve His people.

The text contains a subtle but significant word play around the concept of “counsel” (עֵצָה – etsah) and “tree” (עֵץ – ets), which share the same root. This linguistic connection suggests a deeper theological truth about how counsel, like a tree, must be properly rooted to bear good fruit. The early church father Origen noted this connection, seeing it as pointing to the ultimate “tree” of the cross where divine wisdom would be fully revealed.

Rabbi David Kimchi (Radak) observed that the chapter demonstrates the principle of “measure for measure” in divine justice. Just as Ahithophel had advised Absalom in rebellion against his father, his own grandson Bathsheba’s son Solomon would eventually secure the throne, showing God’s way of turning evil counsel into good outcomes.

2 Samuel 17 Connections to Yeshua

The pattern of betrayal and counsel in this chapter profoundly prefigures the Messiah’s experience. Just as David faced betrayal from a trusted advisor (Ahithophel) and his own son, Yeshua would face betrayal from Judas and rejection from His own people. The Hebrew word used for Ahithophel’s “counsel” (עֵצָה) finds its ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua, who is called “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6).

Moreover, David’s exodus from Jerusalem, crossing the Kidron Valley (2 Samuel 15:23), prefigures Yeshua’s own path to crucifixion. The theme of apparent defeat turned to victory through divine intervention points to the cross and resurrection, where what appeared to be the triumph of evil counsel was actually God’s perfect plan for redemption.

2 Samuel 17 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages and themes. The contrast between godly and ungodly counsel echoes Psalm 1:1, where the blessed man avoids the counsel of the wicked. The strategic hiding of the messengers recalls Joshua 2, where Rahab hid the spies.

The theme of God frustrating the counsel of the wise finds parallel in Isaiah 44:25 and 1 Corinthians 1:19-20. The pattern of betrayal and restoration points forward to Zechariah 13:7, which Yeshua applied to His own betrayal and the scattering of His disciples.

David’s experience of betrayal likely influenced his composition of several psalms, particularly Psalm 41 and Psalm 55, which express the pain of betrayal by a close friend. These psalms would later find their ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah’s experience.

2 Samuel 17 Devotional

This chapter provides powerful lessons for our spiritual journey today. First, it teaches us about the importance of discerning between godly and ungodly counsel. In our own lives, we must learn to recognize advice that aligns with God’s word versus wisdom that seems right to human eyes but leads to destruction.

The chapter also demonstrates how God can work through our circumstances, even when everything seems to be falling apart. Just as He orchestrated events to protect David, He remains sovereign over our situations today. This truth should give us courage to trust Him even when facing betrayal or opposition.

Finally, we learn about the power of intercessory action. Just as the women at the well risked their lives to protect David’s messengers, we too are called to stand in the gap for others, sometimes at personal cost. This reminds us that our seemingly small acts of faithfulness can play a crucial role in God’s larger purposes.

Did You Know

The well where Jonathan and Ahimaaz hid was likely one of the many ancient cisterns around Jerusalem, some of which can still be seen today. These cisterns often had narrow openings that widened into larger chambers below, making them perfect hiding places.
Ahithophel’s counsel was so highly regarded in ancient Israel that it was said to be “as if one consulted the word of God” (2 Samuel 16:23). His betrayal of David would have been especially shocking to contemporary readers.
The route David took across the Jordan followed ancient trade routes that are still visible in modern archaeology. These paths were crucial for quick escape during times of conflict.
The scene of hiding the messengers under dried grain has particular significance as it occurred during the spring barley harvest, connecting this narrative to the agricultural cycles that governed Israelite life.
Mahanaim, where David found refuge, had historical significance as the place where Jacob encountered God’s angels (Genesis 32:1-2). It later served as Ishbosheth’s capital during the civil war with David.
The description of David’s mighty men as being “bitter in soul” uses the Hebrew phrase “מָרֵי נָפֶשׁ”, which is the same phrase used to describe Hannah’s state before she conceived Samuel, suggesting a spiritual dimension to their distress.
The tragedy of Ahithophel’s suicide is heightened by Jewish tradition identifying him as Bathsheba’s grandfather, adding another layer to the complex family dynamics in David’s court.
The strategic importance of controlling the Jordan River crossings mentioned in this chapter was crucial in ancient warfare, as these fords were the key points for controlling movement between Transjordan and Cisjordan.
The women’s act of covering the well with ground grain echoes other biblical stories of women using household items for divine purposes, such as Jael using a tent peg (Judges 4:21).

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Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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