MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:23-17:3

What was it that caused Ahithophel to turn against his very best friend, King David? In 2 Samuel 16:23, we certainly find out the reason that Absalom chose Ahithophel. It says, “Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.” All the counsel of Ahithophel was like the oracle of God. He was the best prophetic counselor in all of Israel. If a man wanted the wisdom of God, he went to Ahithophel and asked him for his counsel. So Absalom was smart enough to pursue God’s wisdom from Ahithophel. But in 2 Samuel 17:1-3, we find what was really in Ahithophel’s heart. It says, “Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. I will come upon him while he is weary and weak, and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee, and I will strike only the king. Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace.” Four times Ahithophel says, “I will,” revealing his intent to destroy King David. Ahithophel had a son named Eliam and Eliam had a daughter named Bathsheba. Bathsheba was Ahithophel’s granddaughter. And while nearly everyone else could forgive King David, Ahithophel could not bring himself to forgive what his own best friend had done to his granddaughter. A failure to accept the covenant of Sure Mercy and the decision to stand against it guaranteed a death sentence for Ahithophel and anyone who chooses that path.