God Control’s Power - 2 Samuel 15-19

 2 Samuel 16:20-23 (ESV)

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do?” Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.

2 Samuel 17:23 (ESV)

When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.

In the above passage we have the story of Absalom seeking counsel after his rebellion against his father, King David.   Absalom had successfully orchestrated a coup to take the kingdom from his father.  His chief advisor was Ahithophel.    Up to this point we read that Ahithophel’s counsel was like that of God.  The man had power.   He was advising Absalom the entire time of the coup.    He was feeling pretty good about himself.  He thought he could control Absalom.  Like many advisers to kings and those in power, he thought he was the real power.  His philosophy was, “Don’t be the king but be the guy who whispers into the ear of the king.”   

However, David had already put some other voices in the royal court that would give Absalom different counsel.   David left Hushai to also give counsel.  Hushai was David’s “whisperer.”    When Absalom decided to go with Hushai’ s counsel over Ahithophel, Ahithophel could not take it.   His complete power scheme was falling apart.   At one point he was revered as a god. We are told by the text that his words were on the same level as God’s word.   Yet, Absalom taking another person’s advice over his sends him into a suicidal depression.   But why?  How did this happen?  How can someone one minute be so powerful and the next minute be ready to take their lives.  Obviously Ahithophel was driven by power.   When he saw he had no power he realized he had no purpose.    This will happen to mankind.  Power will corrupt.  Remember, it was Satan who tempted Eve to believe if she ate the fruit she would be like God.    Satan wants us to desire power and control.    This desire brought Ahithophel down.

But, there is another reason he took his life.  Note what David prayed on his way out of Jerusalem the day of Absalom’s coup:

2 Samuel 15:31 (ESV)

And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”

Just that short prayer was the end of Ahithophel.   David prayed the prayer because he knew that it is God who sets up one and takes down another:

Psalms 75:6-7 (ESV)

For not from the east or from the west

and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,

but it is God who executes judgment,

putting down one and lifting up another.