Daily Devotional Details

Date

While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh. 2 Samuel 15:12

The man Ahithophel was David’s most trusted adviser: “In those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God” (16:23). This man was a fountain of biblical wisdom. When he spoke, it was consistently an expression of God’s truth. But even he was deceived into joining Absalom in his great rebellion.

Ahithophel’s support seems to have brought a tipping point in Absalom’s great uprising. When he joined up, “the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing” (15:12). People reasoned, “If Ahithophel is with Absalom, we should be with him too.” Ahithophel had great influence. People followed his example.

Here is the responsibility that comes with leadership: The greater your influence, the greater your responsibility. When people look to you as a leader, counselor, teacher, or mentor, the choices you make will shape the lives of others as well as your own.

What follows in the story is a scene of great pain and sadness. A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom” (15:13). That must have been a dagger to David’s heart. David knew that this meant his own son would come after him seeking his life. So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom” (15:14).

Think about an important decision you have to make in the near future. How will your decision affect others who may look up to you?