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Rebellion of Absalom, David’s Son
473
Hushai Suggests Alternate Plan
Hushai suggested a plan that appealed to a vain and selfish na-
ture: “‘I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan to
Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that
you go to battle in person. So we will come upon him in some place
where he may be found, and we will fall on him as the dew falls on
the ground. And of him and all the men that are with him there shall
not be left so much as one. Moreover, if he has withdrawn into a
city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city; and we will pull it
into the river, until there is not one small stone found there.’”
“So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, ‘The advice of
Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.’” But one
person clearly foresaw the result of this fatal mistake of Absalom’s.
Ahithophel knew that the cause of the rebels was lost. And he
knew that whatever might be the fate of the prince, there was no
hop for the counselors who had masterminded his greatest crimes.
Ahithophel had encouraged Absalom in rebellion; he had counseled
him ti the most abominable wickedness; to the dishonor of his
father; he had suggested a plan to kill David; he had cut off the
last ppossibility of being reconciled himself with the king; and now
Absalom was looking to someone else instead of him. Jealous,
angry, and desperate, Ahithophel “went home to his house, ... and
hanged himself, and died.” This was the result of the wisdom of one
who did not make God his counselor.
Hushai lost no time in warning David to escape beyond the
Jordan river without delay: “Do not spend this night in the plains
of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, lest the king and all the
people that are with him be swallowed up.”
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David, worn out with toil and grief after that first day of fleeing,
received the message that he must cross the Jordan that night, for
his son was seeking his life. What were the feelings of the father
and king in this dangerous, terrible time? In the hour of his darkest
trial, David’s heart was fixed upon God, and he sang:
Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
Many are they who say of me,