INTRODUCTION: Although things look bad for David at the beginning of this chapter, they begin to change. The key is found in verse 14 where the intent of the Lord is revealed. He plans to bring evil on Absalom; and to do so, He defeats the wise counsel of Ahithophel. We must learn to trust in the same Lord. If God be for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
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1. AHITHOPHEL COUNSELS TO ATTACK IMMEDIATELY (2 Samuel 17:1-4 [1] 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 weak handed, 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.
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1. His Battle Plan (2 Samuel 17:1Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
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1. Let me choose 12,000 men.
2. I will arise and pursue after David this night.
2. His Simple Objective (2 Samuel 17:2And 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:
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1. David is weary and weak handed.
2. I will make him afraid.
3. The people that are with him shall flee.
4. I will smite the king only.
3. His Planned Result (2 Samuel 17:3And 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.
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1. I will bring all the people to you.
2. All the people shall be in peace.
4. His Welcomed Reception (2 Samuel 17:4And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
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1. The saying pleases Absalom well.
2. The saying pleases the elders of Israel.
2. HUSHAI COUNSELS TO GATHER ALL ISRAEL (2 Samuel 17:5-14 [5] Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. [6] And 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. [7] And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time. [8] For, 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. [9] Behold, 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. [10] And 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. [11] Therefore 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. [12] So 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. [13] Moreover, 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. [14] And 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.
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1. Absalom Asks for Hushai’s Counsel (2 Samuel 17:5-6 [5] Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. [6] And 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.
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1. Absalom calls in Hushai the Archite (2 Samuel 17:5Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.
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2. Absalom tells the plan of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:6And 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.
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2. Hushai Warns against Ahithophel’s Plan (2 Samuel 17:7-10 [7] And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time. [8] For, 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. [9] Behold, 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. [10] And 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.
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1. Hushai rejects Ahithophel’s counsel “at this time” (2 Samuel 17:7And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.
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2. The reasons for Hushai’s rejection (2 Samuel 17:8-10 [8] For, 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. [9] Behold, 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. [10] And 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.
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1. David’s men (2 Samuel 17:8For, 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.
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1. They are mighty men.
2. They will be as a bear robbed of her whelps.
2. King David (2 Samuel 17:8-9 [8] For, 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. [9] Behold, 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.
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1. He is a man of war (2 Samuel 17:8For, 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.
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2. He will not lodge with the people (2 Samuel 17:8For, 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.
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3. He is hid in some pit or some other place (2 Samuel 17:9Behold, 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.
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3. The battle (2 Samuel 17:9-10 [9] Behold, 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. [10] And 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.
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1. The first deaths will bring rumors of defeat (2 Samuel 17:9Behold, 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.
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2. The Israelites will melt in fear of David (2 Samuel 17:10And 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.
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3. Hushai Offers an Alternative Plan (2 Samuel 17:11-13 [11] Therefore 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. [12] So 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. [13] Moreover, 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.
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1. Gather all Israel from Dan to Beersheba (2 Samuel 17:11Therefore 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.
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2. Go into battle in thine own person (2 Samuel 17:11Therefore 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.
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3. Totally destroy those who are with David (2 Samuel 17:12So 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.
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4. Destroy any city that dares receive him (2 Samuel 17:13Moreover, 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.
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4. Absalom Prefers the Counsel of Hushai (2 Samuel 17:14And 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.
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1. Absalom counts the counsel of Hushai as the best.
2. The Lord used this to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
3. The Lord intends to bring evil on Absalom.
4. God will answer the prayer of David (2 Samuel 15:31And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
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3. HUSHAI SENDS WORD TO DAVID (2 Samuel 17:15-22 [15] Then 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. [16] Now 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. [17] Now 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. [18] Nevertheless 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. [19] And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. [20] And 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. [21] And 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. [22] Then 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.
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1. Hushai Sends a Message to the Priests (2 Samuel 17:15-16 [15] Then 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. [16] Now 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.
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1. Hushai tells Zadok and Abiathar (2 Samuel 17:15Then 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.
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2. They send a message to David (2 Samuel 17:16Now 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.
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1. Do not lodge this night in the plains.
2. Immediately pass over the Jordan.
2. The Sons of the Priests Take Word to David (2 Samuel 17:17-21 [17] Now 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. [18] Nevertheless 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. [19] And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. [20] And 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. [21] And 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.
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1. Jonathan and Ahimaaz wait in En-rogel (2 Samuel 17:17Now 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.
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1. To avoid being seen in the city
2. Awaiting messages from their fathers
2. They are discovered as they take the message (2 Samuel 17:18-20 [18] Nevertheless 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. [19] And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. [20] And 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.
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1. A lad sees them and sends word to Absalom (2 Samuel 17:18Nevertheless 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.
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2. They hide in the well of a man’s house in Bahurim (2 Samuel 17:18Nevertheless 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.
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3. The woman covers the well’s mouth and spreads corn there (2 Samuel 17:19And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.
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4. The woman sends the servants of Absalom away (2 Samuel 17:20And 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.
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5. Absalom’s servants cannot find them and return (2 Samuel 17:20And 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.
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3. They take the message to King David (2 Samuel 17:21And 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.
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1. They get the message to the king.
2. They tell the king to quickly cross the Jordan.
3. David and the People Pass over Jordan (2 Samuel 17:22Then 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.
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1. David takes his people over the Jordan.
2. All have crossed the river by morning light.
4. BOTH SIDES PREPARE FOR BATTLE (2 Samuel 17:23-29 [23] And 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. [24] Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. [25] And 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. [26] So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead. [27] And 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, [28] Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, [29] And 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.
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1. Ahithophel Kills Himself (2 Samuel 17:23And 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.
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1. He sees that his counsel is not to be followed.
2. He returns to his city.
3. He puts his household in order.
4. He hangs himself and is buried.
5. NOTE: Ahithophel is a type of Judas. He betrays his friend. See Psalm 41:9Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
   See All...; Psalm 55:12-15 [12] For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: [13] But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. [14] We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. [15] Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
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2. David and Absalom Take Their Places (2 Samuel 17:24-26 [24] Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. [25] And 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. [26] So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
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1. David comes to Mahanaim (2 Samuel 17:24Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
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2. Absalom and his men cross the Jordan (2 Samuel 17:24Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
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3. Absalom appoints Amasa as captain of the host (2 Samuel 17:25And 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.
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1. The son of Ithra an Israelite
2. The husband of Abigail, sister to Zeruiah
3. An uncle to Joab
4. Israel and Absalom pitch in Gilead (2 Samuel 17:26So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
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3. David Receives Gifts from Friends (2 Samuel 17:27-29 [27] And 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, [28] Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, [29] And 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.
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1. David is met by more friends (2 Samuel 17:27And 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,
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1. Shobi the son of Nahash of Ammon (compare 2 Samuel 10:1-2 [1] And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. [2] Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
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2. Machir of Lodebar (see 2 Samuel 9:3-4 [3] And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. [4] And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
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3. Barzillai the Gileadite (see 2 Samuel 19:31-40 [31] And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. [32] Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. [33] And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. [34] And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? [35] I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? [36] Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? [37] Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. [38] And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee. [39] And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place. [40] Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
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2. David receives needed provisions (2 Samuel 17:28-29 [28] Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, [29] And 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.
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3. David’s people feast in the wilderness (2 Samuel 17:29And 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.
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CONCLUSION: Though all visible signs seem to indicate that David is in trouble, the Lord is intervening on his behalf. The Lord defeats the counsel of Ahithophel and prepares a table for David in the presence of his enemies (Psalm 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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