Bible study · 2 Samuel 17:1-29
2 Samuel 17: Two counsels
Read 2 Samuel 17:1-29 before you meet.
In a few lines
In one verse the book calls Ahithophel's counsel good and says the LORD had ordained to defeat it (17:14), with the same Hebrew verb David used when he sent Hushai back (15:34); and by morning not one of David's people was left who hadn't crossed the Jordan (17:22).
The verse to carry
“Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil on Absalom.”
2 Samuel 17:14
To talk about
1. Absalom heard two counsels and chose the one that called for all Israel and had him "go to battle in your own person" (17:11). What makes advice attractive to you, and how do you tell good counsel from counsel that simply pleases you?
2. The word reached David through a female servant, two young men, and a woman with a covering and some grain (17:17-19). Where has someone's small, unseen faithfulness made a difference for you?
3. Three men said, "The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness" (17:29), and brought what was needed. Who around you is weary right now, and what could you bring them?