BETRAYER

Time with Jesus - Monday, 26 November 2012

Hi all,

Ahitophel! The name sounds ordinary. But he was far from being ordinary. He was a traitor. He betrayed King David in much the same way that Judas betrayed Jesus. Psalm 55 describes David’s circumstances. ¹² It is not an enemy who taunts me--I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me--I could have hidden from them. ¹³ Instead, it is you--my equal, my companion and close friend. Psalm 55:12-13 NLT  I started writing about this and found that I was only halfway through when I came to the end of the usually allotted space. So there is no introduction today. The story of Ahitophel is enough to meditate on anyway!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 26 November 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
AHITOPHEL			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	BETRAYER
He had a reputation, for being very wise. And when it came to counsel, there surely “were no flies”, On what he’d said to David. He usually was right. But it was most unfortunate what he had said that night. His name “brother of foolishness” was surely rather apt. He always chose the “winning side” and thereby, he was trapped. He was Bathsheba’s grandfather, is what some scholars say. Perhaps that’s why he saw the king at any time of day? Had he been reliable? I guess he must have been. And since he was related, to David’s favourite queen, He must have had some influence on what the monarch said. No doubt this sort of impact would “turn King David’s” head. He would start to trust this man; this crafty Gilonite. And the king concluded, he “always” got things right. But he had one purpose. To have authority. To be David’s advisor. Get him to do what he, Said he should be doing. The power behind the throne, Is what he really wanted, all for his very own! So he befriended David. It easily was done. Because he was related to David’s wife and son. He gained a reputation, for often being right. Thus he always looked so good, within King David’s sight. And so their “friendship” blossomed. And very soon he knew, The King would do precisely what he told him to do! And so they had walked together and David loved him well. It really was a tragedy for bad Ahitophel. But it was insufficient. He wanted so much more. He joined himself with Absalom. He sort of “crossed the floor” And when the young pretender entered Jerusalem. Ahitophel had obviously taken sides with them. What this new king needed was getting some advice. Ahitophel said something that Absalom thought nice.  2 Sam 16:21 “Take your father’s concubines upon the palace roof. And there, before the people, give them the living proof, That you have taken over. Then take each one by force. Where everyone could see them, have sexual intercourse.” Absalom consented and soon he had had it done. He thought it was exciting and also lots of fun. Continued under Betrayer			10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT 23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice hadn't been followed, he saddled his donkey, left, and went home to his own city. He gave instructions to his family. Then he hanged himself, died, and was buried in his father's tomb. 2 Samuel 17:23 GW 14 A person's spirit can endure sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit? Proverbs 18:14 GW 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? Jeremiah 8:22 TNIV 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon Me, for the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to comfort the broken-hearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. 2 He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD's favour has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. 3 To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory. Isaiah 61:1-3 NLT 28 Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30 NLT 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. Acts 8:35 NLT 3 He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds. Psalms 147:3 NLT	But what he didn’t realise, was it would take some time. He was still a strong young man quite early in his prime. When all of this was over, Absalom’s next move, Was still to be decided. What was it he’d approve? Ahitophel suggested, that almost straight away, Absalom should chase the King, without further delay. “Give me twelve thousand soldiers and I will run him down I will kill King David and you will get his crown!” Ahitophel’s suggestion was excellent and good. The “New King” would have done it as quickly as he could. But first he called for Hushai, the Arkite to advise, If this is what he ought to do and if the course was wise? Now Hushai still supported King David and so he, Spoke and said to Absalom, “That isn’t right for me. David is still powerful. You need a lot more men Otherwise he will return and take the crown again. So wait until your army is a far larger size. Send a call for extra troops; I think that would be wise.” So Absalom decided to simply hang around. It’s likely that the pleasure that Absalom had found, Was rather preferential to running off to war. The women had been fabulous. Perhaps he wanted more? So Absalom decided that he would rather stay. He’d resume the battle upon some other day. This would be disastrous; bad for Ahitophel. It sounded like the first stroke of this traitor’s own death knell. He realised that very soon, King David would return. And that when David saw him, his ire would surely burn. There were no other prospects. A most unpleasant death. Surely now was threatening, to snatch his final breath. He had no further comment. He knew what to do next. He’d better be untouchable when David’s ire was vexed. He saddled up his donkey and headed off for home. Suicide was better than waiting all alone, For David’s men to find him and give him to the King. Rather death by hanging. He wouldn’t feel a thing. He put his house in order. Took a rope and died. What a dreadful ending; committing suicide!               2 Sam 17:23 Jim Strickland  Written 26th November 2012