2 Samuel 17:1-14 “Fear, Flattery & Insecurity”
The advice of Ahithophel to Absalom was wise and set the stage for successfully defeating king David. Ahithophel also advised Absalom to allow him to take 12,000 men and pursue David that very night. “I will come upon him while he is weary and exhausted and terrify him, so that all the people who are with him will flee. Then I will strike down the king alone,…” (2). This plan would permit Ahithophel to unite the county in peace. While this pleased Absalom and the elders, Absalom sought a second opinion in Hushai David’s friend who was planted as a spy. Hushai’s response indicated that this time his advice was not good. Then he appealed to Absalom’s ego and planted fear in him. “…’You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men and they are fierce, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is an expert in warfare,…” (8a, b) Hushai used fear and flattery to deceive this insecure leader and buy time to inform David. May God grant us the wisdom and grace to walk in confidence of His sovereignty and love in our lives so as not to be manipulated by fear and flattery.
