Sun.’s Devo - David’s Advisors -

Read: 2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13 Ahithophel, David’s advisor who betrayed him to follow Absalom, wanted to take 12,000 men and go after David and his men. He planned to kill David and then all the people following him would have no choice but to come back and be loyal to Absalom. It was really good advice. *** But, Absalom wanted to hear what Hushai had to say who had been David’s best advisor. Hushai said that Ahithophel’s advise was not good at this time. He explained that David and his men were mighty men of war and they would be so mad they would be unstoppable. Once they started killing Absalom’s men, they would flee and it would be over for Absalom. *** God caused everyone to agree with Hushai’s advice. Ahithophel was so humiliated that Absalom didn’t do what he had suggested that he went home and killed himself. *** Hushai sent word to Zadok the priest to send his two young sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz to tell David to hurry and cross over the Jordan. Hushai had bought them some time to get as far away as he could. *** A young man spotted Jonathan and Ahimaaz and told Absalom’s men. They came to the house where they had seen them, but the woman of the house had hidden them in her well and covered it with a cloth covered with seed. She sent Absalom’s men on a wild goose chase. When they couldn’t find the two men, they returned to Jerusalem. Jonathan and Ahamaaz got the message to David. *** David and his men crossed the Jordan and came to Mahanaim where Shobi, Machir and Barzillai, all from different nations came with provisions for David and his men. *** Mahnaim was where Jacob was met by the angels of God in Gen. 32:2. This was also the town that Saul’s son, Ishbosheth had reigned and was murdered by his own two body guards. *** In John, the soldiers couldn’t tear Jesus’ robe to divide it between them because it had no seams. So, they cast lost for it just like the prophets had prophesied. *** All the women who had followed Jesus were around the cross. When Jesus noticed his mother, he gave her to John to take care of. John took Mary into his own home to care for her. This was the last thing he needed to do to complete his work on earth. He said, “It is finished,” and gave up his spirit. *** Since the Sabbath would begin that day at sunset, the Jews asked Pilate to hurry their deaths by breaking their legs so they couldn’t push up to breathe. When they came to Jesus, he was already dead, so they didn’t have to break his legs. Isaiah had prophesied that none of his bones would be broken. He also said that they would look upon the one they had pierced. *** Joseph of Arimathea, who was a wealthy follower of Jesus, went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission and he took Jesus’ body and placed him in his own new tomb. Nicodemus brought 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes. They took his body and bound it in linen with the spices and laid him in the tomb. *** Lord, after reading of all the plans of Absalom that were brought down and all the plans of Satan that were dispelled at the cross, we see how you are in total control over what goes on on earth. We invite you to lead us in the days we are living in. Lead our nations back to you. Disspel the plans of the enemy and let your plans stand.