Praise God that the chapter ends with three people who committed themselves to God’s chosen king when his cause looked weak. In verse 27, Shobi is a former pagan, Machir was once loyal to Saul, and Barzillai is senior citizen. But when it matters, we find them here, standing beside God’s chosen king. If Jesus were to ask us, as […]

It might not seem a big decision for Absalom to take the advice of one of his counsellors over another. But as soon as he does, the writing is on the wall for his rebel kingdom. He can’t see it. But Ahithophel can. Just as the devil himself knows he is doomed, so Ahithophel knows that the cause he has […]

Hushai’s advice is bad advice – for someone hoping to kill David. It’s deliberately designed to give David a chance to get a breather, and regroup. So why does Absalom ask him for advice in the first place? And why does he take it? It’s because of what we’re told at the end of verse 14: ‘For the LORD had […]