The Failure of Absalom and Ahithophel

Ahithophel, Absalom’s counsellor, devises a plan to strike David, but Absalom listens to Hushai and changes his mind. When Ahithophel sees that his counsel has come to nothing, he returns to his home town and takes his own life.

God did not thwart the plan of the wicked at the outset; he kept David safe by never letting it be carried out. When those who have received wisdom and gifts do not credit them to God but treat them as their own, God does not take that wisdom and those gifts away. Were they removed, such people would sin no further; but because God leaves them in place, they go on using them for evil and fall into greater sin.

Absalom was granted the privilege of being born David’s son, yet he was cast aside because of his thirst for revenge and his greed. Ahithophel, trapped in his hatred of David, died without ever returning to God. By contrast, wherever David went, there were people who helped him without asking anything in return. We must look not to people but to the God who was helping him.