2 Samuel 16 and 17

2 Samuel Chapter 17 Verses 1 – 4

 This shows the truth about how Ahithophel (the grandfather of

Bathsheba) felt about David! He was ready to go and kill David

himself! And this was actually a really good plan.

 Ahithophel was obviously wise! David was in a bad place mentally.

He probably would be able to be killed in this manner. And this would

bring all of the people back peacefully.

 But remember, David in his wisdom, brought about by humility,

accountability, and turning to the Lord, had left inevitably effective

protections in place…

2 Samuel Chapter 17 Verses 5 – 11a

 Now, this ends up being effective because what Hushai says is easy to

understand, plays to Absolom’s care abouts and it is objectively

accurate to history. David is an extremely effective, (not only man of

war), but leader in war! And now doubt Absolom had heard the stories

of David’s past victories including his killing a bear with his bear

hands (pun intended). So, notice how Hushai even throws that little

tid-bit in!!

 Ok, so here’s the effective strategy of Hushai. First, he’s brief.

Second, he’s not too detailed. Third, he’s not speaking to his own

care abouts. And fourth, he’s using facts and not subjectivity. This

is the recipe for influencing the perspective of your customer! Folks

go on and on and on and on giving details that most interest them!

You’ll never be seen as a master communicator! Or admired as a

partner in power! Why? Because that message to your customer is that

you haven’t prepared. Either you’re lazy, careless or disrespectful!

Perhaps all three!

 Rather, be brief! Be to the point. And use only words and points that

the customer CARES about! Define value in the eyes of your

customer! Simple, effective, essential rule of selling or presentation!

Also, never sell them your idea! Solve their problem WITH your idea!

So simple! And seldom practiced! And people walk away thinking

their bosses are stupid! I guess you named your mirror, “Boss!” HA!!!

 Hushai speaks with facts and data. He plays to Absolom’s care abouts.

He is right to the point with not too much detail… AND, critical

“and” here, he doesn’t just say why Ahithophel’s plan won’t work, he

proposes an effective solution!

 Because of this he is not coming across as a negative Debbie Downer!

He’s coming across as a humble, respectful, intelligent and caring

PARTNER!!! He has almost 100% chance here of changing

Absolom’s mind!!

2 Samuel Chapter 17 Verses 11 – 13

 In what he is proposing, he is sending the message so eloquently that

Ahithophel’s plan is not fool proof. It has a chance of failing, and for

good reason! So, he presents a fool proof plan! Take everything

you’ve got! All the men of Israel, and the shear number of the force,

no man can overcome!

 Oh, and go yourself! Oversee it yourself to ensure the success and in

the process, gain glory as the king! Completely playing to Absolom’s

care abouts! David was the mightiest king in all of history. Even had

his own song! If Absolom did this, then he would be known as the

giant slayer! The plan and pitch are both brilliant!

 Not only for Absolom, but also for David. Ahithophel’s plan could be

carried out immediately. Right now! While David was still west of the

Jordan. Quick and surgical! Hushai’s plan would take time. Days if not

weeks to gather and arm and brief all of the men of Israel which would

give David time to flee, to hide, to prepare himself!

2 Samuel Chapter 17 Verse 14

 You know what just happened? Other than inevitability! (Due to

Hushai’s acutely effective communication skills! HA!) What just

happened is that God answered David’s prayer!

 Back in 2 Samuel Chapter 15 Verse 31 David prayed, “O Lord, I pray,

turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” God loves to answer

prayer! Oh, how much I go without because I don’t give it to the Lord

in prayer! (You know, side note, you know why I don’t pray about

everything? Because I of my lack of surrender to God. Because I’ve

prayed for many things, obviously my will if I’m praying for them,

and God has said “No.” So instead of saying thank You to God for His

“No’s,” I lose heart in Him giving me what I WANT. Just calling it

like it is…)

 Absolom has the throne. He has the position. He has the power. He has

the smartest and most respected advisor in Ahithophel. He even

receives the best counsel. And all of that is defeated by David’s

prayer. And please remember, David is not clean here. At least half of

this horrible situation is his fault…, but he’s the one praying. He’s the

one taking accountability. He’s the one walking in humility. He will be

the one that wins!

2 Samuel Chapter 17 Verses 15 – 29

 God will send encouragement through the most obscure things and

people sometimes! The nation, the family, the monarchy, the ministry,

everything is falling apart and David is on the run. He is now aware

that his son not only despises him but wants him dead. He’s on the run

again from a terrible king and this time it’s worse than before, as this

king is not Saul but his own son, Absolom.

 And yet God richly provides for him to simply set His hand upon

David’s heart to remind him that he is not alone, that he is not

forsaken and that God sees all that is happening. Who is Shobi? An

Ammonite! Who is Machir? No one knows. Who is Barzillai other

than possibly the coolest name in the Bible? No one knows! Three

unknowns, seemingly out of nowhere, and yet look at all they bring.

And interestingly, they bring beds!

 Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are

heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He didn’t say what form that

rest would come in… Sometimes it’s incredibly unexpected and

unpredictable. But He did tell us how to enter into His rest.

 Matthew 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am

gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” The

yoke is an instrument of mission. It is a tool of work. The process of

the invitation is to be mindful, mind filled, of what is right in the eyes

of the Father. To be about the Father’s business. To shift from your

business, your emotions, your perspective, your pain, to the will of the

Father. Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned

with what is right. Proverbs 15:33 says, “Before honor is humility.”

 This is how you enter into this rest promised by Jesus and truly how

you come and draw near to Jesus Himself. It sounds less than

desirable. It sounds difficult. But Jesus ends His statement with

Matthew 11:30, “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Here’s

where you need faith. That you place your faith in what Jesus has said

rather than even what or where the circumstance has your

consciousness captured and you ask yourself, in this moment, what is

RIGHT!? Nothing makes life easier than when it is full of you being

honored!

 It’s a denial of the finite in favor of the infinite. The willful rejection

of the inferior for the superior. The decision to see that which is

unseen by the flesh. And Jesus says, in doing that, I’ll send a bed.

Water basins so that you are soothed and clean. Wheat, barley and

flour, parched grains and beans, lentils and parched seeds. Prepared

and readied for eating.

 Even more, honey and curds. Luxuries. Sheep and cheese even so that

you can have more tomorrow and the day after. We are so quick to

expect of God when we are unfaithful… He has already given us

exactly how to experience these things, even these abundances that

come from and only from operating in the correct order of the system.

The code of creation…, which He has given us so clearly in His Word!

 David has made a ton of mistakes. He’s in a place that he would do

anything not to be in as evidenced in the Psalms he wrote at this time.

And the world says, “You’ve made your bed, now lie in it.” But God

says, “You’ve made your bed, so I’ll send a new one!”