2 Samuel 17:6

_AND THE SAYING PLEASED ABSALOM WELL, AND ALL THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

1-21 Here was a wonderful effect of Divine Providence blinding Absalom's mind and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's counsel, and that he should desire Hushai's advice. But there is no contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destroy him by his own mistakes and passions. Ahithophel's former counsel was followed, for God intended to correct David; but his latter counsel was not followed, for God meant not to destroy him. He can overrule all counsels. Whatever wisdom or help any man employs or affords, the success is from God alone, who will not let his people perish....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 17:1 LET ME NOW CHOOSE OUT TWELVE THOUSAND MEN. The advice of Ahithophel was such as would have made success almost certain. The rebellion had taken David by surprise, and he was quite unprepared to resist the large forces which Absalom had gathered round him. But the better part of the nation disapproved of the enterprise, especially when they perceived that David's life was in danger; and consequently his followers, in course of time, would increase. Moreover, the day had been one of extreme moral and mental trial to David. Upon the sudden news of Absalom's approach, he had to arrange for the flight of his wives and children; to provide supplies for their wants, and for those of their attendants on the march; to give orders to his officers, and take means to prevent their flight degenerating into a panic. Then, wi

AND WHEN HUSHAI WAS COME TO ABSALOM,.... Into the council chamber, very probably: ABSALOM SPAKE UNTO HIM, SAYING, AHITHOPHEL HATH SPOKEN AFTER THIS MANNER; and then related the counsel he had given as before: SHALL WE DO [AFTER] HIS SAYING? is it right to proceed on this scheme, and carry it into execution? IF NOT, SPEAK THOU; thy mind freely, without any reserve, or fear of giving any offence....

7. ABSALOM, AHITOPHEL, AND HUSHAI CHAPTER 17 _ 1. The counsel of Ahitophel and Hushai (2 Samuel 17:1)_ 2. The counsel made known to David (2 Samuel 17:15) 3. Ahitophel commits suicide (2 Samuel 17:23) 4. Absalom pitched in Gilead (2 Samuel 17:24) 5. The kindness of Shobi, Machir and Barzillai (2 Samuel 17:27) Ahitophel's counsel was aimed at the person of David only. He wanted to have him killed and thus by the death of the one man bring all Israel back. But Ahitophel had not

Ahithophel advises the instant pursuit and capture of David. I, he says, will bring back all the people unto thee, as a bride returns to her husband; thou seekest the life of only one man, there shall be peace for all the people; read 2 Samuel 17:3 thus with LXX. Hushai advised delay, till an overwhelming force could be gathered which would overcome any possible resistance. Yahweh makes Absalom follow Hushai's counsel, to his own ruin....

WHEN HUSHAI WAS COME TO ABSALOM, &C.— Ahithophel proposed all imaginable advantage to the evil cause in which he was engaged, from expedition, upon the principle mentioned by Tacitus, that "nothing determines civil discords so happily as dispatch." Hushai, on the contrary, wholly laid himself out to protract and to delay: for delay would not only ward off David's present danger, but would also, as the same Tacitus observes, give ill men time to repent, and the good to unite. And it is certain, that in all contests of this kind, that remark of Livy will always hold good, that when men have time to think, there will never be wanting those who will be glad to gain the favour of the right side by adhering to the public good. These were the principles of _Husai's_ advice; and his advice, as being much better suited to Absalom's cruelty as well as his vanity, and seemingly to the interest of h...

3. The Rebellion Defeated, 2 Samuel 17:1 to 2 Samuel 18:33. _Hushai's Counsel._ 2 Samuel 17:1-14 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2 And I will come upon him while he _is_ weary and weakhanded, and will make him afraid: and all the people that _are_ with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: 3 And 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. 4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. 5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, an

THE FALL OF AHITHOPHEL Absalom follows the advice of Hushai rather than that of Ahithophel, who thereupon hangs himself. David retreats to Mahanaim....

DAVID, THE GREAT KING OF ISRAEL 2 SAMUEL _HELEN POCOCK_ CHAPTER 17 AHITHOPHEL AND HUSHAI ADVISE ABSALOM V1 Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘Let me choose 12 000 men. I will go and chase David tonight. V2 I will attack him when he is tired and weak. I will frighten him. All the people who are with him will run away. I will kill only the king. V3 Then I will bring all his people back to you. When David is dead, everyone will return to you. Everyone will be safe.’ V4 Absalom and all the leaders in *Israel thought that this was good advice. V5 Then Absalom said, ‘Bring Hushai the *Arkite to me. I want to know what he thinks about this.’ V6 When Hushai arrived, Absalom