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Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for 2 Samuel 17:23

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"A POOR LOSER"
Intro: Absalom the son of David had stolen the hearts of the people and rebelled against his father who as the result fled from Jerusalem.
I. AHITHOPHEL THE COUNSELOR.
A. During the time of David's reign a trusted friend and advisor.
1. He had keen insight of human behavior.
a. He knew what actions to take to provoke desired responses.
B. His counsel was as an oracle of God.
1. His wisdom seemed almost divine.
2. As though God was speaking His wisdom through him.
II. AHITHOPHEL THE OPPORTUNIST.
A. He had been a friend and advisor to David.
1. Psalm 55:12-14 - David's reference to Ahithophel.
B. He saw the popular movement toward Absalom.
1. He decided to go with a winner.
2. He dumped David to ride on a rising star.
a. Nothing like a little trouble to help you find out who your true friends are.
b. Many are inseparable companions in good times.
1. Let adversity arise and they are as difficult to find as an igloo in July.
III. HIS REJECTED COUNSEL TO ABSALOM.
A. He desired to be commissioned to take 12,000 men and pursue David immediately.
1. He proposed to kill only David and bring his followers back in allegiance to Absalom.
2. His advice was wise and would probably have worked.
B. The conflicting advise of Hushai, David's friend.
1. He appealed to Absalom's pride, suggesting that he wait and first gather all Israel and personally lead the army against his father.
2. Absalom intoxicated by his own ego could picture himself at the fore of a victorious army and chose Hushai's advise over Absalom's.
3. This gave David what he needed most, time to group his forces and establish defense positions.
IV. AHITHOPHEL THE POOR LOSER (vs. 23...)
A. Though he was a wise man, he did dumb things.
1. His counsel was highly prized.
2. Even before suicide, "he set his house in order."
B. His suicide prompted by one of two reasons:
1. His own pride.
2. The discovery of his own folly.
a. He saw that he made a mistake in following Absalom.
b. He could foresee Absalom's defeat by David.
V. AHITHOPHEL THE FOOL.
A. Thinking that he was adequately taking care of his family by setting his house in order.
1. He actually denied them one of their greatest needs.
2. Any man is a fool who thinks that all his family needs is material possessions.
B. By allowing his pride to destroy him.
1. A man is a fool when he allows his pride to lead him into foolish decisions.
a. How many kept from Christ just because of stupid pride.
C. By thinking suicide is an escape.
1. Suicide is one of the most selfish acts in the world.
2. A person thinking only of themselves.
3. Jesus Christ is the only true escape.
Sermon Notes for 2 Samuel 17:1-4 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for 2 Samuel 17:23 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for 1 Samuel 1:15 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for 1 Kings 3:11-14 Next Book →
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