2 Samuel 16:20-23 – On being godly counselor

As surely as God has said to David through Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:11-12, it was now slowly but surely coming to pass. For his secret adultery with Bathsheba, God told him in no uncertain terms saying, “I will take your wives from you and give them to someone who is very close to you. He will have sexual relations with your wives, and everyone will know it! You had sexual relations with Bathsheba in secret, but I will punish you so that all the people of Israel can see it.”

So here in 2 Samuel 16:15-23, we see the circumstances working out to bring to pass what God had so assertively told David. We also see how right the deposed king was in his estimation of Ahithophel, his once closed confidante. That wicked counselor was quick to offer a piece of very evil advice to Absalom who approached him for counsel. Absalom was advised to make himself odious to his father. He was told to violate his father’s concubines who were left behind to take care of the house. The reasons Ahithophel gave to the rebelling son of David was three. Firstly, his act would consolidate his claim to the throne publicly. Secondly, it would indicate his intention to irrevocably continue with his revolt. Thirdly, he would gain the support and strengthen the people who were backing him in his rebellion.

Absalom accepted the wicked counsel of Ahithophel wholeheartedly and swung into action immediately. He had a tent pitched on the rooftop and there in the full view of the people of Israel, Absalom violated his father’s concubines. He humiliated his father as well as the concubines in his sickening act. Bent on getting even with David for his adultery with his granddaughter Bathsheba, Ahithophel gave counsel that was depleted of sound morals. Blind rage on Absalom’s part had made him an abusive leader and caused him to take leave from all logical reasoning. Even what he heard was illogical, it was palatable to him. The combination of such a wicked counselor and an abusive leader was a calamity in the making. 

A Counselor can play a very key role in ensuring a peaceful resolution. Why so? The words of a counselor had great weight. In fact, in verse 23 we get a glimpse of how people regarded counsel in those days. They regarded it as if it was on par with God’s word. Today, people still regard a counselor’s words with great importance. It is important that when we are helping people, we seek to give sound, safe, and moral advice. The consequence of a bad counsel can be devastating. Conversely, the result of good counsel is enriching and reconciling. Therefore it is important for us to be careful who we are seeking counsel from. Especially when we are upset with someone. And for those of us who give counsel to others, be sure to provide sound and godly advice. It can change the course of a person’s life!