David was surrounded by danger.Those With Him Are Brave, Absalom’s army was growing, Ahithophel had developed a plan to destroy David, and the king and his people were exhausted, hungry, and thirsty in the wilderness. Yet God was working behind the scenes. The Lord frustrated the counsel of Ahithophel, protected David’s people, and provided exactly what they needed. This chapter reminds us that when God’s people appear weak, God is never weak. He can turn the plans of the enemy and provide for His servants in the wilderness.
Obedience • God’s Covenant • Betrayal • Death • Pride • Redemption Plan • Jesus Christ
📖 2 Samuel 17:1–4 (NIV)
“17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would[a] choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.”
Ahithophel advised Absalom to pursue David immediately with twelve thousand men. His plan was to attack David while he was weary and vulnerable, strike down the king, and bring the people back without destroying them.
The plan appeared wise to Absalom and the elders of Israel.
Hushai, David’s trusted friend who had secretly remained in Jerusalem, was summoned. Hushai understood that David’s survival depended upon preventing Absalom from acting quickly. He presented David and his men as experienced warriors who would be dangerous to attack while desperate and hidden.
Instead, Hushai encouraged Absalom to gather the entire army of Israel and personally lead them into battle. His advice sounded impressive, but it would give David valuable time to escape.
Absalom accepted Hushai’s advice.
The reason was greater than human strategy.
Hushai immediately sent word through Zadok and Abiathar to warn David. Jonathan and Ahimaaz carried the message, but they were discovered and forced to hide inside a well. A courageous woman protected them by covering the opening and spreading grain over it so that Absalom’s men would not discover them.
Once the danger passed, the messengers reached David and warned him to cross the Jordan.
By daybreak, everyone with him had crossed the river.
Meanwhile, Ahithophel realized that his counsel had been rejected. His wisdom had failed, and instead of turning to God, he returned home, put his affairs in order, and took his own life.
David reached Mahanaim while Absalom and the Israelites camped in Gilead.
David’s people were exhausted, hungry, and thirsty in the wilderness. Yet God provided people who brought them beds, bowls, food, grain, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese.
What appeared to be a desperate wilderness became a place of God’s provision.
God was protecting him, guiding him, and providing for him even while his enemies believed they were closing in.
📖 2 Samuel 17:5–8 (NIV)
“5 But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”
“7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. “
Ahithophel’s counsel appeared nearly certain to succeed, yet the Lord caused it to fail.
Human beings may make plans, but God remains the final authority over history.
📖 2 Samuel 17:9–13 (NIV)
“9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first,[b] whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.”
“11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.”
He did not wait until the enemy arrived or demand further proof. He obeyed the warning and moved his people to safety.
Faith is more than believing God can help us.
Faith responds when God provides direction.
📖 2 Samuel 17:13–16 (NIV)
“13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.”
“14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.”
“15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”
His wisdom could not save him because wisdom without humility can become destructive.
God’s people must never allow their abilities, reputation, or influence to become more important than their dependence upon the Lord.
📖 2 Samuel 17:17–19 (NIV)
“17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A female servant was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.”
God used Hushai, Zadok, Abiathar, Jonathan, Ahimaaz, and an unnamed woman to protect David and deliver the warning. Each person played a part.
Others worked secretly.
Some risked everything.
God’s work often happens through ordinary people who are willing to be faithful when the moment comes.
📖 2 Samuel 17:20–24 (NIV)
“20 When Absalom’s men came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”
The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook.”[c] The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem.”
“21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.” 22 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.”
“23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.”
“24 David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. “
Then Shobi, Makir, and Barzillai arrived with exactly what they needed.
Their provision demonstrates an important truth: God knows what His people need before they see the answer.
The wilderness may look empty, but God’s provision is never empty.
📖 2 Samuel 17:25–29 (NIV)
25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether,[d] an Ishmaelite[e] who had married Abigail,[f] the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. 26 The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
“27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils,[g] 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.”
Ahithophel had a strategy.
David had exhaustion and uncertainty.
But God had a purpose.
The Lord frustrated the enemy’s plan, protected David’s people, and continued moving His purposes forward.
What looked like David’s weakest moment became another demonstration of God’s power.
David’s circumstances looked desperate, but God’s covenant had not changed.
The rebellion of Absalom could not erase God’s promises.
The Lord continued protecting David and preserving the line through which His greater promises would be fulfilled.
God’s covenant does not depend upon circumstances looking favorable.
His promises remain secure even when His people are walking through the wilderness.
God can overturn plans that appear certain to succeed.
Faith requires obedience when God provides direction.
Pride can destroy even a person known for wisdom.
God often works through faithful people to protect others.
The wilderness does not mean God has abandoned us.
God knows when His people are hungry, thirsty, weary, and afraid.
God’s provision can arrive through unexpected people.
God’s purposes remain secure even when circumstances appear hopeless.
David and his people were exhausted, hungry, and thirsty in the wilderness, yet God provided what they needed.
This points us toward Jesus Christ, who entered the wilderness and faced temptation, hunger, and suffering while remaining perfectly obedient to the Father.
Jesus declared Himself to be the Bread of Life and offered living water to those who believe in Him.
David’s wilderness journey reminds us that God provides for His people, but Jesus reveals the ultimate provision—the One who satisfies the deepest hunger and thirst of the human soul.
Through Christ’s sacrifice, God’s redemption plan reaches its fulfillment, offering eternal life to all who place their faith in Him.
