2 Samuel 17:1-4

who are the people you turn to for advice?

Perceive: Having established himself as the king by taking over the royal residence, Absalom turns his focus to making sure his father and his followers would never return and take back the kingdom. Having fed his flesh, he now feeds his thirst for blood by seeking, finding, and then killing his father. So, he turns to his counselors for help. Knowing that David and his men were skilled and seasoned combat veterans, Ahithophel gives advice that would maximize the potential for a military victory. There were three parts to his plan. Part one – deploy an overwhelming show of force using twelve thousand troops. Part two – seek this opportunity while there is an element of surprise. Part three – once the people scatter, kill King David. The survivors would be led back to Jerusalem. It was a good plan that pleased Absalom and all the elders.
 
Practice: Plans are good when you base them on a solid understanding of Scripture and when they achieve a godly purpose. Humanly speaking, if Absalom followed Ahithophel’s plan, the life and reign of his father were over. It is a good plan to have an abundance of counselors, but those counselors need to have a biblical basis and godly motives for their advice. Paul writes, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
 
Pray: O Lord, You are the greatest friend a man can have. Help me to see those brothers who are my true friends who have godly character. Help us to become better men who serve You. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

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