The Betrayal of Ahithophel

Introduction

I don’t know if you’ve ever experienced it or not. But if you have, I’m guessing that there are a few things in life that hurt worse than betrayal. Someone that you thought had your best interests at heart, someone who was your friend, who cast you aside, who cast you to the curb, and then couldn’t care less what happened to you. Or even if your demise resulted, they might be happy about the fact. Hopefully, you’ll never experience that kind of betrayal in this life. But some have.

There’s a pain to that kind of opposition, but he’s talking about a more intense and severe kind of pain. Nor is it one who hates me, who has exalted himself against me. Then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, and my familiar friend. We who had sweet fellowship together, walking in the house of God in the throng. And let me just say, I’ve not experienced anything like what I think David is describing, but I have walked hand in hand with brethren, and the relationship that I now have with them is not what it was. And I know the sting of that. We who had sweet fellowship together. Let death come deceitfully upon them. Let them go down alive to Sheol, for evil is in their dwelling in their midst.

As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Many surmise, and if you read a commentary on Psalm 55, that David is referencing the story of Ahithophel. I’ve been saying the name Ahithophel all week. I like saying the name Ahithophel. May it become a household name with us after we study his story in the Bible. You need to know something about the story of Ahithophel. His story is contained in 2 Samuel 15 through 17. In fact, his name is only mentioned in one other place in the Bible. It is the parallel text to this to some degree in 1 Chronicles, and I want to read that briefly. 1 Chronicles 27, and I don’t give you the reference on the slides. 1 Chronicles 27 that mentions David’s uncle Jonathan.

Did you know David had an uncle named Jonathan? Very common name, actually. Who was a counselor and a man of understanding and a scribe as well. And this could be a great trivia question. Jehiel. Have you ever heard the name Jehiel before? The son of Hachmonai. And I’m not sure I pronounced that right, but I sort of like that. Hachmonai, who was Jehiel, son of Hachmani, was a tutor of the king’s sons. So if you ever want to know who David’s son’s tutor was, forget Hakmanai, say Jehael. And Ahithophel, there it is. And Ahithophel in verse 33 was counselor to the king. And Hushai, the Architect was the king’s friend. Now, those two are in this verse together, and they are interwoven in the story of Ahithophel, as we shall see.

And Jehoida, the son of Beniah, who would be Solomon’s enforcer. And Abathar succeeded Ahithophel. And Joab was commander of the king’s army. Now to the text of 2 Samuel 15. And the lengthy story that involves a conspiracy, not just involving Ahithophel, but David’s own son. You talk about betrayal. The story of Absalom. We’re going to catch the Absalom story really somewhat in the middle. There was the whole business of Tamar and all the things that related to that. But when Absalom finally returns to the city, another whole sermon I preached here, Satan stealing the hearts of the sons of men. Because Absalom would come to the gate, would stay at the gate, and anyone who would come to the king for a matter of justice, Absalom would meet them, and he would give his decree instead.

And it says in verse 6, Absalom stole away the hearts of the sons of Israel. He had flesh, he had an entourage, he was handsome, and a lot of people could not see past the facade of his presence to the reality of his betrayal against the Lord’s anointed. One of the first co-conspirators who is mentioned is Ahithophel. In 2 Samuel 15 and verse 12, and Absalom sent for Ahithophel, the Gilanite, David’s counselor from his city Gilob, while he was offering the sacrifices, and the conspiracy was strong for the people. Increase continually with Absalom. Well, there is, of course, here the betrayal of Ahithophel, David’s counselor, the betrayal of his son Absalom, and the betrayal of the people. We’re talking about the glory days for the nation of Israel that would rise to its zenith during the reign of David’s son Solomon.

And yet, despite the great victory over Goliath in days past from 1 Samuel 17, now David is being tossed to the curb for his young, upstart son. He’s had his share of problems. Absalom. Verse 31. Now someone told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Lord, I pray, mark this, mark this very well. A petition that is heard at the throne of God. O Lord, I pray, make the counsel of Ahithophel. Foolishness. How does that get accomplished? David’s friend that we read in 1 Chronicles 27, Hushai, was going to loyally follow David, as did Ittai. I have to mention this because it’s one of my favorite passages in 2 Samuel 15. Ittai, the foreigner, the Gittite, who was told you can stay behind.

When David flees the city as Absalom is about to take over control and possibly kill David, he says, Ittai, you don’t need to go, but Ittai says, as the Lord lives, and that’s my Lord the King lives. Surely wherever my Lord the King may be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be. And while Ahithophel runs off after Absalom, and while the people run off after Absalom and Ahithophel, here is this foreigner, Ittai, who acknowledges faith in God as the Lord lives and acknowledges loyalty to the king, even if it means the loss of his own life. And it could well have been, if the counsel of Ahithophel had been heeded, and if it were not for the providence of God. So where does this story go?

Hushai, instead of being allowed to follow David, is sent back in verses 32 through 34 to keep an eye on things and to thwart the counsel of Ahithophel. And so he returns to the city. And at the end of chapter 16, after a short story about Shimei cursing David as he leaves the city, when Absalom comes into Jerusalem, it says, and Ahithophel was with him in verse 15. And when David’s friend Hushai came to Absalom, he said, Long live the king, long live the king, pretending loyalty to Absalom. Is this your loyalty to your friend? Absalom requests or asks. Why did you not go with David? Why did you not go with your friend? Then Hushai said to Absalom, No, for whom the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I be, and I will remain.

And with him I will remain. And besides, who should I serve? Should I serve in the presence of his son, as I have served in your father’s presence? So I will be in your presence. Very convincing. Then Absalom said to the other counselor, Ahithophel, give your advice. What shall we do? And Ahithophel encourages Absalom to commit the despicable act of laying with the concubines of his father in the presence of all Jerusalem. What a spectacle. Ahithophel encourages. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened. And then we read this in verse 23 in regard to Ahithophel, it was if one was inquiring of the word of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom.

His counsel was so wise and so spot on.

However, Absalom’s rebellion soon goes awry. And that’s where the end of the story comes in. Ahithophel’s next counsel. Beginning in chapter 17. Take 12,000 men and go follow David while he is disorganized, while he is fleeing and overtake him and kill him. There cannot be a rival king still alive. Go right now. Make haste. Go and kill him. And that sounded good to Absalom until Hushai comes in and warns. Oh, now David. He’s strong. He’s animal like and bear and lion-like in his valiant abilities. So let him go for now. And he will withdraw unto a city. Then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city and tells a great story. And will drag it into the valley until not even a small stone is found there.

And so Hushai tells this very colorful story about David’s fierceness and how he shouldn’t pursue him right now, but do so later. And then all Absalom, then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, We’re going to go with Hushai. This sort of reminds me, though. Hushai sort of illustrates the proverb, Proverbs 23, his heart is not with you. As a man is in his heart, so he is. And Hushai’s loyalty is not with Absalom, despite his seeming words to David. And so, how does the story end for Ahithophel when he hears. Now, remember his counsel. It was regarded as the word of God. I mean, he was always so spot on. And when Ahithophel realized that Absalom had rejected his counsel and had gone with Hushai’s counsel, he knew this rebellion would not last.

1. The Choices That We Make

Verse 23. Now when Ahithophel saw, and this didn’t take very long, did it? This rebellion is fresh. Now, when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and he arose, and he went to his home to his city, and set his house in order, and he strangled himself. That’s the end of the story of Ahithophel. The end of the story of Absalom follows soon after. In 2 Samuel chapter 18, because he did not solidify his kingdom the way Ahithophel had counseled. I want to make a few observations about this story, and the lesson will be yours. The first observation I want to make about the betrayal of Ahithophel has to do with the choices that we make.

We make choices every day, right? You’re going to get up tomorrow and make several choices. A lot of them will be very benign, like what am I going to eat for breakfast? What am I going to wear today? Now, unless what you eat for breakfast has poison in it’s probably going to go fine. Okay? But if it did have poison in it, then all of a sudden that choice became pretty significant in your circumstances. Or your mode to whatever place that you’re going, whatever mode of transportation that you use. You know, it could end up being in a car wreck or something. Lots of options are at your disposal, and some choices have more consequences than others. Some choices are benign. Some choices are catastrophic in their consequences, and we often do not know which are which until it is too late.

But we should have the wisdom to look around and notice several choices that have a huge impact on our lives, regardless. The choice of whom you will marry is a really big choice. Choose someone, young people who have the same goals, who has the same goals spiritually that you do. That he or she wants to serve God and please him, follow his word and go to heaven. Now, that doesn’t mean that your road is going to be smooth as a result of that choice, but it might just mean, if you both stay committed to that ideal, that you can work through any rough patches that might develop. But if you have just one person in that arrangement, and as I’ve said before, have I not said this recently?

You cannot control the other person, no matter how much you try, ultimately is their decision and their choice. At least you are providing potentially the recipe for working out conflicts and difficulties that arise. Your marriage choice is a significant one. Sometimes you’ll see young people, they’re so madly in love, and you’re going, this is doomed. Now, I must say, those of you that were at the funeral on Friday for Joe Spencer, the preacher who performed Kenny and Joe’s wedding, said, this marriage won’t last six months. And it lasted 61 years. So those kinds of predictions don’t always come true. But sometimes you look at situations and go, oh boy, they can’t see down the road that when this infatuation wears off, and when real life happens, this isn’t going to last.

This isn’t going to make it. At least it seems to have two strikes against it. So that’s a significant choice. But let me just tell you this. Every time we make a choice to sin against God, it is potentially more hazardous than we realize. The choice, for example, to gamble, to look at pornography, to drink. Those choices, that one first choice, can lead to a lifetime of addiction in those areas. People have destroyed their lives. The decision to smoke marijuana, etc. Partaking in any kind of drug or any kind of behavioral thing that can produce addiction. It’s the simple choice that no one ever dreamed that they would be led down the path of driving in an automobile and being convicted of manslaughter because they were intoxicated.

Or vehicular homicide. No one plans or intends for that to happen, but a choice can lead to dramatic consequences. And so don’t ever think that the choice to participate in sin, whatever the sin is, it can be as simple as a lie. That the consequences could be far greater than you ever dreamed. Do you think for a second that when Ahithophel decided he was going to side with Absalom, that he saw the handwriting on the wall that he would be dead within months? I don’t know how long, probably not even that long, before he would end up hanging himself. And his history would be one of an ignominious result. Tragic story.

2. God Has Forgiven, but Ahithophel Has Not

What on earth has happened that has caused a man so wise, a counselor of the Lord’s anointed, one in whom David had tremendous respect. What has caused him to turn on David? There’s a little bit of speculation here, perhaps. You remember in the list of David’s mighty men in 2 Samuel chapter 23, that last in the list. Who was last in the list? Uriah the Hittite. Bathsheba’s husband. So we know that story, right? What you might not realize is that in 2 Samuel 11 and verse 3, when Bathsheba is introduced, she is not only introduced as the wife of Uriah the Hittite, but the daughter of Eliam. And when you look at David’s mighty men in 2 Samuel chapter 23, there is an Eliam who is also listed.

So it wasn’t just her husband who was one of David’s mighty men, it was her father Eliam, who was one of David’s mighty men, and he is identified in 2 Samuel 23 as Eliam, the son of Ahithophel, the Gilanite. Oh, now that adds a twist to the story, does it not? Perhaps the disappointment of Ahithophel was the result of the fact that Bathsheba was his granddaughter. Uriah the Hittite, his grandson by marriage.

Most commentators think that is so. It certainly would explain the betrayal. But here’s the thing. While Ahithophel had the right to be upset, David has certainly committed a tragic sin, both in relation to Bathsheba and Uriah. He has displayed repentance. He has been forgiven. We’ve read Psalm 51. Now here’s the thing. God has forgiven David. Oh, there are consequences, some of which are enfolding with Absalom. Oh, there are consequences to what he has done. But God is still in fellowship with David upon his recovery. God has forgiven, but Ahithophel has not.

Be wary of strongly opposing those who may still yet be in fellowship with God, hating those of whom the Lord approves. Some have suggested that where Absalom commits those acts of sexual immorality with David’s concubines is the very spot where David looked down from his roof and saw Bathsheba. Interesting that he would suggest that take place there. But it is possible to become disenchanted with and disregard someone for whom the Lord has regard. And I think that tells us James 4 and verse 12 is pretty important. The way that we think about each other is important, regardless of the fact that sometimes brethren don’t act perfectly, sometimes brethren fall short, sometimes they even sin against you, or you feel mistreated or slighted by them in some way, treated rather harshly when you should not have been.

Whatever the situation is, brethren could do something that gets at you. No wonder there are so many admonitions in Scripture, like James 4 12. Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother speaks against the law. You are not the judge is the implication. There is only one lawgiver and judge. And that’s really the thing. God, the judge approved of David, and that needs to be enough for Ahithophel, and it needs to be enough for us.

3. Misguided Loyalty: Beware of Joining the Posse

If this person is sincerely praying for forgiveness before the throne of God, then we need to be merciful as God is merciful. We need to forgive as God has forgiven. Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 32. I understand. If all of this is correct about Bathsheba being Ahithophel’s granddaughter, I completely understand it. But where God has forgiven, we must forgive. And then I want to say a word about his misguided loyalty. Beware of joining the posse. Ahithophel jumped on board. It looked like the favorable place to be. And sometimes in local churches, when skirmishes develop, people jump on board a certain idea, not knowing the motives and the treachery that might be involved in that skirmish. Be careful of the side that you choose. Oh, ideally, there should not be sides among the Lord’s people.

But when it becomes a situation of this side believes this and this side believes that, do your homework. Know the people and the motives involved to the best of your ability. Assess the character of those individuals. What do they have to gain in this? What are they trying to accomplish? Beware of misguided loyalty. And here’s the thing about Ahithophel’s betrayal is that ultimately his betrayal betrayed himself. Throw in your lot with us, we will have one purse. I love that in Proverbs chapter 1. Hey, we’re going to have fun. Throw in your lot with us. We’ll have one purse. And in the end it says they ambush their own lives. Beware of the posse. And the sad irony is that the practice of betrayal and the practice of sin will always betray you in the end.

He who wishes to save his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake shall find it. In the attempt to preserve his life and to go with the winning side, Ahithophel ultimately lost his.

4. Ahithophel Is a Type of Judas

Let’s not be Ahithophel’s disciples. But there’s another application to be made here that I want to make very quickly tonight. And that has to do with this text in Psalm 41 and verse 9, perhaps yet another reference to this betrayal. When again David talking about some of his difficulties says, even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, he lifted up his heel against me. Does that sound familiar to you? It might should, as we say, because Jesus quotes this verse at the last supper when he identifies Judas as his betrayer. With this one glaring difference. We think the betrayal of Ahithophel is bad. At least he might have had some cause, some reason in regard to David’s own sinfulness to make this choice.

What reason did Judas have to betray the Lord? Oh, perhaps some disappointment, but not because Jesus had sinned in any way whatsoever, and yet he chose to betray the Lord. Do you think that maybe the story of Ahithophel is told for us not just because of the rebellion of Absalom and some of the consequences of David’s sin? But perhaps the story of Ahithophel is foreshadowing the greatest betrayal of all. Ohithophel is a type of Judas who would betray the Christ. Remember, I told you that betrayal could ultimately betray you. Isn’t it also interesting in these stories that these two men did exactly the same thing when their betrayals went to their logical end? Ahithophel hung himself. And Judas hung himself. And so I want to conclude by talking about the tragic final decision.

5. The Tragic Final Decision

We said in the very beginning, your choices may sometimes lead you down a path that you have no way of predicting. No way of foreseeing that could occur. We talked about marriage. How many people, after 25 years of marriage, look back and say, wow, this didn’t go exactly like I thought it would. I could probably ask for a show, I won’t. Ask for a show of hands of everybody who’s been married for twenty five years or more. Has it been exactly what you thought? Maybe it’s better in many respects. But I tell you’ve been through some things that you never saw coming. That’s the way life is. Ahithophel and Judas never saw the end of their choice, or they never would have made it.

And that is true, regardless of whatever it is that you choose over the Lord. I’ve called it the shrine of foolish choice. Whether it’s simply to bow and give service to self, to say, you know, I don’t want to sacrifice for God. I don’t want to be among the Lord’s people on Sunday morning and Sunday night and Wednesday night. I don’t want to make that extent a sacrifice in my life. I don’t want to be committed to the Lord’s people. I want to do my own thing. And so that’s the shrine that you choose over the Lord to reject him and to reject his ways. And I’m going to tell you that while it may not result in your suicide, it is still a very tragic decision.

And it will never ultimately pay what you think it will. Never. Never. So what is it? A different marriage partner. Or two or three. The now famous Ross do over. A lot of people choose to reject the Lord. Because they just got to have this new relationship. We’ve just got to idolize material things, material wealth, my job, my ability to grow an income, to provide all the things in life that I want. What is that ultimately going to do for you? Ultimately, it’s going to be no better than what happened to Ahithophel. It is all short-lived and temporary, and yet people make this tragic decision over and over again. I don’t want the Lord’s way. I want to go my own way, and my own way is better.

That always ends tragically. And we make those decisions oftentimes in the vigor and vitality of youth. And that’s why Solomon says, young man, be careful about the choices that you make. God is going to bring you to judgment for all these things. And then he goes on to say, remember your creator in the days of your youth before the evil days come. I think I’m getting close to those. Before the evil days come, when your body starts to fall apart, when you have back problems for the first time in your life. And the body ultimately returns to the dust. As he mentions a lot of things, including poor eyesight and other bodily things that don’t work well. And the body returns to the dust. And the spirit returns to God who gave it.

And that’s why the conclusion from the older, wiser preacher is fear God and keep his commandments, because this applies to every person. God will bring every matter into judgment.

Whether it’s a decision of betrayal or simply a decision not to serve the Lord, it almost always boils down to the same thing.

You know Jesus warns about that?

Conclusion

The story of the unrighteous steward. He makes several applications that are somewhat related but somewhat different. As he talks about why he tells this story, but I’ve always liked verse 9. It’s a difficult verse. And I may not understand everything about it, but I do get one thing. And I say to you, here’s the story. Make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness. He says, let me tell you something about the things of this world that are many times used to promote unrighteousness. He calls it the mammoth of unrighteousness. But he says, don’t have anything to do with it. That would be impossible. It’s the material world. He says, make friends with it. In other words, use it properly. Use it with the right perspective.

That’s sometimes hard for us. Make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when it fails. That’s exactly what I’ve been telling you. It will. That when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. Now, a lot of the question is, what is the they refer to? My own personal thinking is that it’s the mammoth of unrighteousness, material things. And in a sense, they, and I may be wrong about this interpretation, they testify. The mammoth of unrighteous and the way we use them, they testify either on our behalf or against us. What does your attitude regard material things testify about you?

Is what they testify going to be that you are loyal to the Lord and his will? That’s the lesson tonight. If you’re subject to the Lord’s invitation, you should respond in any way. Come now as we stand and sing together.