SATURDAY, MARCH 24
Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:23-17:3, Psalm 55:9-15, 2 Samuel 16:20-22

2 Samuel 16:23- 17-3 says, “Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. I will come upon him while he is weary and weak, and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee, and I will strike only the king. Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace.’” Ahithophel was the one speaking this. What was motivating Ahithophel? Ahithophel had a son named Eliam, and Eliam had a daughter named Bathsheba. What does that tell us? Ahithophel’s granddaughter was Bathsheba! God forgave David but Ahithophel did not. Ahithophel had been David’s best friend and counselor. David’s actions with Bathsheba were a betrayal to Ahithophel. Ahithophel in turn betrayed David by advising Absalom. Ahithophel’s first counsel to Absalom was, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be made strong. So they pitched the tent for Absalom on the top of the house and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.” God fulfilled His Word to David by doing this before all Israel. David’s weapon was God’s covenant of Sure Mercy because God would fulfilled what He said He would do! He knew God would keep His Word in all He had said.