There’s an interesting episode in the old scriptures.
King David has been ousted by Absalom, his own son in a coup that has shocked the nation. Absalom has been able to curry favour with the people in a remarkable PR campaign. Such is his popularity that he gains access to the palace and his old man is on the run. David gets Hushai to go back and act as a secret agent in Absalom’s court.
Absalom, meanwhile, has gained the services of Ahithophel, an advisor so great that even David rates him as of the highest level. Ahithophel offers Absalom some crucial advice that would gain him the throne on a permanent basis, everyone loves it, but Absalom seeks a second opinion from Hushai who weaves a cunning line that plays to Absalam’s ego and leads him to a desperate error.
Ahithophel’s response to this is intriguing
When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father. (2 Samuel 17:23)
It was not long after that incident that Absalom himself would find himself hanging around, though he ended up a lot worse off than his chief advisor.
What’s that got to do with anything today?
You might want some grand insight on the matter. Or something profound to take on board from all of this.
All I leave this story here to wonder, is whose advice are we taking in life? And have we neglected that advice because of something that appeals to our ego?
Will all that just leave us hanging around?
(Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 