Advice

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

ADVICE

2 Sam 17:1-14

17:1 Ahithophel said to Absalom, "I would 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. 5 But Absalom said, "Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say." 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. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, 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 even a piece of it can be found." 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.

NIV

Advice is but advice; however, inquiring of the Lord is always the best course of action before doing anything. Yet, Absalom depends on other men to give him advice as if they had asked the Lord, but how is it that Ahithophel’s and Hushai’s advice are contrary to each other? Which of them inquired of the Lord, or did neither of them seek the wisdom of God for their advice to Absalom? First, we see that Ahithophel used the first person, “I would choose…….” he did not mention the Lord at all in his advice to Absalom, nor did Hushai, as he used the first person also, “So I would Advise”. We learn this lesson from both of them and their advice. Of course, Hushai is following orders from his king, David, and confusing the advice of Ahithophel, to bring disaster on Absalom. Yet, it might be their advice was still inspired by the Lord, as He had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel. Still, it would have been better for Absalom to have spent time seeking the advice of the Lord for himself.  How can someone not be confused after asking two different people for advice on what he should do? Free advice may be worthless, because it did not cost anything. Of Course, when it comes to the direction of operation of  the church, we usually have some representation of the congregation, such as a board or leadership team, or whatever title we put on this group that needs to come to agreement on how the church proceeds in its affairs of ministry. However, we believe these chosen people are seeking direction from the Lord, for He is the head of the church. We have witnessed in churches we have been associated with and on such a board that ministry was determined by the budget, rather than by the advice of God. We believe that both on the personal level and the church level that all our actions or non-actions are a result of seeking the Lord, hearing his voice, and following his directions or advice.