POISONED 6; Gathering Momentum

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Gathering Momentum

After Absalom had finished offering sacrifices unto God, he went back to his plan to overthrow his father because he was still bitter. This time, he invited someone to join his team. When this man agreed to join the team, the conspiracy grew stronger (2 Samuel 15:12); because of one man! I will talk about this man in this episode. His name is Ahithophel.

Ahithophel was David’s counsellor, and in those days, he was reliable in giving the right counsel in every situation. People considered his counsel as given by the Oracle of God (2 Samuel 16:23). This is the kind of man who has agreed to join Absalom’s rebellion.

A lot of questions come to mind;

a) Why did Ahithophel, being David’s counsellor, an inside man, agree to join a conspiracy against him?
b) Why did Absalom think Ahithophel would agree to join the conspiracy?
c) What kind of advice did Ahithophel give, and how did it go?

I’ll attempt to answer the first two questions in this episode and answer the last in the next.

Bathsheba’s Grandfather

You probably know in 2 Samuel 11, about how David set Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband up for death on the battlefield to have Bathsheba to himself for a wife. Well, it turns out Ahithophel’s granddaughter was Bathsheba.

Let’s confirm with these two verses; “…is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” – 2 Samuel 11:3. This was when David enquired who Bathsheba was after he spotted her. We know her father is Eliam. Who is Eliam’s father? “…Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite”. – 2 Samuel 23:34b.
We now see that Bathsheba’s father was Eliam and Eliam’s father was Ahithophel, so in effect, Bathsheba’s grandfather was Ahithophel.

Now, Ahithophel, as the king’s counsellor might have seen all that David did to his granddaughter and his granddaughter’s husband. He might be livid throughout the period when David did that to his Granddaughter and her husband, but perhaps never spoke a word about it. So receiving a call from Absalom to join the team would be the right time for him to seek his revenge against David. If Ahithophel harboured the pains and anger over all these years, he’s bitter as well.

Lessons

What do we learn from here? First I’ll say no matter your social standing and spiritual gifts, you can be bitter. Ahithophel had a good social standing in Jerusalem – a lot of respect and honour, but he harboured bitterness against the king for so many years. The king he served and saw daily.

Provided you have a soul and heart, bitterness is not far from reaching you that’s why the Bible says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” – Proverbs 4:23.

Also, bitter people identify fellow bitter people. It is not difficult to identify your fellow bitter person. Because similarity leads to attraction, both of you will end up becoming ‘friends’ on negative emotions, and influence each other to exact revenge if that’s what you want. That’s why Absalom identified Ahithophel.

If you’re trying to forgive someone or get rid of any offences in your heart, be careful with those you talk to – they might also be bitter against the same person you’re trying to forgive. What they would say or do might greatly influence your emotional healing.

Now, Ahithophel is also unleashed, seeking revenge. Remember he’s known for giving great advice; what advice will he give this time?

May the Lord mend our nets!