Ahithophel's twofold advice -- Hushai prevents imminent danger -- David is informed, and crosses the

Jordan -- the battle in the forest -- death of Absalom -- mourning of David -- David's measures -- return

to Gilgal -- Barzillai and Joab as representative men of their period -- federal republican rising under Sheba

-- murder of Amasa -- death of Sheba.

2 SAMUEL 16-20

DAVID had not left the capital a moment too soon. He had scarcely quitted the city when Absalom and his

forces appeared, and took possession of it. Hushai the Archite was one of the first to welcome him with

feigned allegiance. There was a touch of boastful self-confidence about the manner in which the new king

received his father's old counselor, which the experienced man of the world well knew how to utilize. By

skillful flattery of his vanity, Absalom was soon gained, and Hushai obtained access to his counsels. Thus

far everything had prospered with Absalom. Jerusalem had been occupied without a struggle; and the new

king now found himself at the head of a very large force, though of wholly undisciplined troops. But

Ahithophel at least must have known that, though David had fled, his cause was far from lost. On the

contrary, he was at the head o f veteran warriors, filled with enthusiasm for their leader, and commanded by

the ablest generals in the land. Besides, account must also be taken of the reaction which would

undoubtedly set in. The flush of confidence on the part of Absalom's raw levies, caused by success where

no resistance had been offered, would pass away in measure as the real difficulties of their undertaking daily

more and more appeared; while, on the other hand, sympathy with David, and adherents to his cause, would

increase in the same proportion. In these circumstances even a much less sagacious adviser than

Ahithophel, whose counsel was regarded in those days as if a man had inquired of the oracle of God, would

have felt that Absalom's chief, if not his sole chance of success, lay in a quick and decisive stroke, such as

should obviate the necessity of a protracted campaign. But first Ahithophel must secure himself, and,

indeed all the adherents of Absalom.

Considering the vanity and folly of Absalom, of which his easy reception o f Hushai must have afforded

fresh evidence to Ahithophel, and David's well-known weakness towards his children, it was quite possible

that a reconciliation might yet take place between the usurper and his father. In that case Ahithophel would

be the first, the other leaders in the rebellion the next, to suffer. The great aim of an unscrupulous politician

would therefore be to make the breach between father and son publicly and absolutely permanent. This was

the object of the infamous advice which Ahithophel gave Absalom (2 Samuel 16:21, 22), though, no doubt,

he represented it as affording, in accordance with Oriental custom, public evidence that he had succeeded to

the throne. While recoiling with horror from this unnatural crime, we cannot but call to mind the judgment

predicted upon David (2 Samuel 12:11, 12), and note how, as so often was the case, the event, supernaturally

foretold, happened, not by some sudden interference, but through a succession of natural causes.

Having thus secured himself and his fellow-conspirators, Ahithophel proposed to select 12,000 men, make a

rapid march, and that very night surprise David's followers, weary, dispirited, greatly outnumbered, and not

yet properly organized. Had this advice been followed, the result would probably have been such as

Ahithophel anticipated. A panic would have ensued, David fallen a victim, and with his death his cause

been for ever at an end. But a higher power than the wisdom of the renowned Gilonite guided events. In the

language of Holy Scrip ture, "Jehovah had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel" (Samuel

But, as first explained to Absalom and the council of Israelitish elders, Ahithophel's advice at once

commended itself to their acceptance. Hushai seems not to have been present at that meeting. He was too

prudent to intrude unbidden into the king's council-chamber. Besides, he had made arrangements for

communicating with David before any measure of his enemies could have been executed. Just outside the

city wall, by the "En -Rogel," "the Fuller's Fountain" - for they dared not show themselves in the city, the