2 Samuel 17:23

New International Version (NIV)

When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself.

For meditation

Faithfulness is divine and emphasizes our commitment to a relationship, a covenant, or a course. It defines the fidelity of a person and assures the other person that what they have heard or signed on to, is exactly what they will get. Faithfulness is the bedrock of trust in a relationship – that which determines the strength of the relationship and guarantees its continuity. A marriage stands on it; friendship expects it; and a professional affiliation demands it. None of these relationships can have integrity without a good measure of faithfulness.

From the look of things, the relationship between David and Ahithophel was solid on faithfulness. After all, Ahithophel was David’s trusted friend and counselor. In fact, David regarded Ahithophel’s advice “like that of one who inquires of God” (2 Sam. 16:23). Therefore, David might have had the shock of his life when Ahithophel joined Absalom in his conspiracy (31-32). The crisis revealed Ahithophel’s unfaithfulness. He had his reasons for his betrayal – concerning Bathsheba, his grand daughter, and the murder of Uriah her husband. (2 Sam 11:3 and 2 Sam 23:34). He cleverly bid his time and seized the opportunity when David was most vulnerable as king.

But there is a heavy price to pay for unfaithfulness. Absalom chose Hushai’s counsel on strategy  over that of Ahithophel. Ahithophel’s pride may have been wounded, so he went to his hometown and then hanged himself (17:23). Solomon may have had Ahithophel’s demise in mind when he wrote that “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). But, I think there is more to Ahithophel’s suicide than his wounded pride.

I believe Ahithophel discerned where Hushai’s advice was taking Absalom and his co-conspirators – into the hands of David and his men. To him, the conspiracy was doomed to fail, and with David’s victory, all conspirators faced possible death sentences.  I believe this and the shame of facing his friend David, whom he had betrayed, is what drove Ahithophel to take his own life – the price of his unfaithfulness. But it didn’t have to be that way.

1. Are you faithful in your family, your marriage, and your friendship?
2. Can you lift your eyes to Calvary to receive the forgiveness Jesus has worked for you when you mess up?
3. Can you trust God’s promise to forgive and cleanse you from all unrighteousness if you confess your sins (1 Jn. 1:9)?
4. Can you expect forgiveness from the person you have been unfaithful to if you confess it to them?
5. Can you also forgive the other person when they confess to you?

I pray we will strive to be faithful to the core in all our relationships, especially, our relationship with Christ.

So: May you learn to receive forgiveness from God through Jesus when you mess up; and may you expect it from your friend or partner as much as you are prepared to forgive them.

When you know you have messed up, remember that forgiveness is there to pick you up, if you repent.

Shalom