2023-01-01 The Lesson of Ahithophel

2023-01-01 The Lesson of Ahithophel
by Pastor Chris Berg
Scripture References in sermon: 2 Samuel 15-17 & others

1 Chronicles 27:33
33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor….

2 Samuel 16:23
23 Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave 
was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of 
Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom. 

2 Samuel 12:10–12
10 From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you 
have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own. 
11 “This is what the Lord says: Because of what you have done, I 
will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give 
your wives to another man before your very eyes, and he will go to 
bed with them in public view. 
12 You did it secretly, but I will 
make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.” 

2 Samuel 15:12 
12 While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, 
one of David’s counselors who lived in Giloh. Soon many others also 
joined Absalom, and the conspiracy gained momentum. 

2 Samuel 15:31 
31 When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now 
backing Absalom, David prayed, “O Lord, let Ahithophel give Absalom 
foolish advice!” 

2 Samuel 16:21–22
21 Ahithophel told him, “Go and sleep with your father’s concubines, for he 
has left them here to look after the palace. Then all Israel will know 
that you have insulted your father beyond hope of reconciliation, and 
they will throw their support to you.” 
22 So they set up a tent on the 
palace roof where everyone could see it, and Absalom went in and 
had sex with his father’s concubines

2 Samuel 17:1–4 
1 Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men to start out 
after David tonight. 
2 I will catch up with him while he is weary and 
discouraged. He and his troops will panic, and everyone will run away. 
Then I will kill only the king, 
3 and I will bring all the people back 
to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only one man’s 
life that you seek. Then you will be at peace with all the people.” 
4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel. 

2 Samuel 17:23 
23 When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, 
he saddled his donkey, went to his hometown, set his affairs in order, 
and hanged himself. He died there and was buried in the family tomb. 

2 Samuel 23:34 (NLT) 
34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah; Eliam son of Ahithophel from Giloh; 

2 Samuel 11:3 (NLT) 
3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, 
“She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 

Ephesians 4:26–27
26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 
27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 

Ephesians 4:31–32 
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away 
from you, along with all malice. 
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, 
as God in Christ forgave you.