God Thwarts Good Counsel...

II Samuel 17:14
"For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom."

In other words, God planned to thwart good counsel... wow... now I'm curious... I thought God was the author and promoter of good counsel...

Hmmmm.... who is this Ahithophel whose good counsel is about to be thwarted by God? Here, in order, are the Scriptures' mentions of Ahithophel.

1st Mention of Ahithophel - he was a trusted counsellor of David who has been summoned by Absalom, David's traitor son.
2SA 15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

2nd Mention of Ahithophel - he is exposed to David as a conspirator with Absalom. David prays that God will turn Ahithophel's counsel to foolishness. So God appointed to thwart Ahithophel's counsel after David prayed for the same thing....
2SA 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

3rd Mention of Ahithophel - he counsels Absalom to commit a vile act in an open public way - taking David's concubines.
2SA 16:20-22 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

So now I wonder why Absalom would want to tarnish the nice-guy image he's worked so hard to cultivate. After all, he's spent the past forty years "stealing the hearts of the men of Israel".

Absalom's actions are rooted in bitterness and unforgiveness. Remember that Tamar sought refuge and comfort from Absalom after Amnon forced himself on her and then rejected her. Absalom counseled Tamar to "hold her peace" and two years later, he set a very public trap for Amnon and killed him. Absalom is openly challenging his father, King David, for neglecting to deal with Amnon's crime against Tamar.

After killing Amnon, Absalom flees and lives in exile for 3 years. Finally, David calls for him and Absalom returns to Jerusalem, but is not allowed to see David's face. This "exile in Jerusalem" drags on for 2 more years, until Absalom again challenges David in a very public way to see him and perhaps even kill him. When they finally meet, David kisses him. So all is forgiven and everything is ok, right?

Wrong. It's at this very point that Absalom begins a 40-year campaign to "steal the hearts of the men of Israel". Why? I think Absalom provoked David over and over - baited David to take the first punch - and David wouldn't. Absalom has been forgiven, but he won't forgive. The bitterness is eating him up. He wants a good fight, but David won't make the first move.

How infuriating it is to have the person you won't forgive - demonstrate grace and forgiveness toward you!

So back to our verse:
II Samuel 17:14 "For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom."

God has waited 40 years for Absalom to forgive and now He will deal with Absalom...