Who was Ahithophel?
Ahithophel was a friend of David and one of his most trusted advisors. 2Samuel 16:23 says that his advice was like that of one who inquires of the Lord. Another version of the Bible says that every word Ahithophel spoke seemed as wise as though it had come directly from the mouth of God!
That means he was a powerfully anointed spokesperson of God.
But then, one wrong advice…
It so happened that circumstances make Absalom go against his father David. He conspires and makes the people of Israel believe that he is the new king, and David has to flee from the palace with his accomplices. Ahithophel, instead of running with David, chooses to side with Absalom. He also gives him wrong advice of lying down with his father’s ten concubines who were kept by David to guard the palace as he fled.
Forgive & be free
Why does Ahithophel give wrong advice?
I believe it was because Ahithopel wanted to take revenge on David. Remember Bathsheba, with whom David committed the sin of adultery? Ahithophel was her grandfather (2 Samuel 11:3 & 23:34).
Ahithophel harboured unforgiveness against David since that incident took place and prompts Absalom to commit a similar sin on rooftop that David did.
…And in the end
Ahithophel gives another advice to Absalom to chase David and kill him. But David asks God to make Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness (2 Samuel15:31). Right enough Absalom rejects his advice this time and this breaks Ahithopel’s heart and he commits suicide.
UNFORGIVENESS brings Ahithophel’s glorious ‘ministry’ to a tragic end.
Lessons Learnt
1. Unforgiveness can take you out of your assignment from God. Ahithophel, had a great future set before him, but unforgiveness ruined his calling.
2. Take heed, when you allow the seed of unforgiveness to take root in your heart, it brings along other evils like jealousy, bitterness, hatred and envy.
3. Genuine repentance attracts God’s forgiveness, and that too immediately. In the same verse that David repented of his sin of adultery, God forgives him! (2 Samuel 12:13). Even though God forgave David, Ahithophel could not forgive him. The consequences for David were dire, but the end of Ahithophel was worse. It is often difficult to forgive quickly, but the faster we let go, the better for us.
4. Harbouring unforgiveness in your heart means you are judging that person and thus equating yourself to God who is the right judge. When Joseph’s brothers ask forgiveness from him, he says something beautiful: Am I in place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good (Genesis 50: 19). That’s how our attitude should be.
5. Lastly forgiveness is an act of will. Since God commands us to forgive, we must make a conscious choice to forgive. Ephesians 4:32 tells us, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
FORGIVE. RELEASE. LET GO & LOVE….
What hinders you from forgiving? How do you plan to deal with it?