“But Avshalom sent spies through all the tribes of Isra’el to say, ‘The moment you hear the sound of the shofar, then start proclaiming, ‘Avshalom is king in Hevron.’ With Avshalom went 200 men from Yerushalayim who had been invited; they went innocently, knowing nothing about the scheme.”-2 Samuel 15:11
In verse 11, we can see that Absalom’s claim to want to go to Hebron to fulfill a vow was just an excuse.
His real intention was to use the occasion to send spies throughout Israel and inform his followers that the time for rebellion had arrived.
The blowing of the shofar served as the battle cry signal to kick things off, as it did when the Israelites took Jericho.
Now, after Absalom arrived in Hebron, verse 12 gives us an interesting detail.
“Avshalom sent for Achitofel the Giloni, David’s counselor, to come from his town Giloh and be with him while offering the sacrifices.”
Achitofel?!
This homie was one of David’s most trusted counselors.
He was part of David’s inner circle and well-respected for his wisdom.
Yet, he agreed to be the special guest of honor and stand witness to the vow ceremony Absalom would perform.
Why in the world would Achitofel betray a man he had closely supported for so long?
That’s a head-scratcher that has mystified many.
So, before moving to the takeaway, let’s make that a quiz question for today.
Why do you think this close member of the royal court betrayed David?
Unlike the 200 other men who traveled with Absalom from Jerusalem, Achitofel was part of the conspiracy that desired to overthrow David.
There’s a solid reason why he sided with Absalom.
What do you think it is?
Leave your answer in the comments, and tomorrow I’ll give you the answer.
Now here’s the takeaway.
More often than not, it ain’t the stranger who betrays you.
It’s the one who sat beside you, laughed with you, dined with you, and knew your heart.
David’s most dangerous enemy wasn’t outside the palace walls.
It was someone who once walked its halls with him.
And centuries later, Yeshua faced the same kind of betrayal.
He was backstabbed by Judas, one of His own disciples.
A man who walked with him, ate with him, and witnessed his miracles.
Yet still handed Him over with a kiss.
Both Achitofel and Judas remind us that betrayal doesn’t always come from the outside.
It can come from those closest to us.
That’s why our faith must stay anchored in God.
Not in people…
No matter how much we think we can trust them.
People may fail us.
But God never will.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“But Yeshua asked him,
‘Judas, are you betraying
the Son of Man with a kiss?‘”
-Luke 22:48
First off, I do not see any reason to think that Achitofel was in on it from the start, since all the Bible tells us is that Absalom called him to join in the sacrifices. As the kings son, and a likely heir to the throne, why wouldn’t this man attend a sacrifice?
Even though the king was later told Achitofel was among the conspirators, it could have been an assumption, since he was there with them at th etime the shofar was sounded. Absalom could have deceived Achitofel, who then figured it was better to be a live advisor to Absalom than a dead one to David.
Also, remember that David asked Hushai the Arki to go back and offer his services to Absalom, and said when Absalom would ask why he is turning against the king, Hushai is to answer that just as he was David’s servant, now he wil be Absalom’s; in other words, he served the office of the king, not just the specific person who was king at any time.
So, I believe that we don’t know the real reason Achitofel fell in with Absalom, but I would suspect that whether he was in it from the start, or joined because he was there when it happened, he was afraid if he continued to be loyal to David he would be killed.
It could be, as Hushai gave for his reasoning (which was only to be able to spy on Absalom and misdirect him), to be servant to the office, not just the person in the office.
Here in the US, when a President assigns Cabinet members, after that President is out of office, the cabinet members don’t all resign. No, instead they hope the next President will retain them because they serve both the person and office of the President.
Perhaps Achitofel felt this way, as well, but I believe it was more likely he feared for his life.
It’s one thing to be loyal, it’s another thing, altogether, to die for that loyalty.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Steven.
Stay tuned for the next post where the answer shall be revealed!