Hushai : A True Friend

1. Hushai: A True Friend Text: I Chr. 27:33; II Sam. 17:14 Scripture Reading: II Sam. 15:31-37

2. Intro I Chr. 27:33 33. Ahithophel was counselor to the king; and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend. What did Hushai do? II Sam. 15 • David is at the lowest point of his life! • His own son, Absalom, has risen up in rebellion against David and has driven him from his palace and from the city of Jerusalem. • This passage finds David on the run for his life from his own son. • David doesn’t need lectured or told how he failed – he knows! What David needs is a friend! Hushai: A True Friend

3. Intro II Sam. 15:1-23 • On his flight from Jerusalem, Ittai stayed with David as a commander. II Sam. 15:31-37: “Mounting the Operation” (as labeled by the CIA) • King David sends Hushai into the court of Absalom as a spy (original secret agent!) • The CIA has this account broken down into an operational lesson on the original secret agent! (at cia.gov) • Hushaiis used as a lesson on espionage: Loyalty and trustworthiness! God’s answer to David’s prayer came through Hushai, the king’s friend! Hushai: A True Friend

4. True Friendship: Loyalty II Sam. 16:15-23 15. Then Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16. Now it came about when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" 17. Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?" 18. Then Hushai said to Absalom, "No! For whom the LORD, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19. "Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so I will be in your presence." 20. Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give your advice. What shall we do?" 21. Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened." 22. So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23. The advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one inquired of the word of God; so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom. Hushai: A True Friend

5. True Friendship: Loyalty Who was Ahithophel? • He is the father of Eliam (II Sam. 23:34); and Eliam is the father of Bathsheba (II Sam. 11:3), thus he was the grandfather of Bathsheba! • It is thought he betrayed David out of revenge for what happened to Bathsheba and her husband Uriah the Hittite. (No concrete evidence) • David took his betrayal hard and prayed to God that his counsel would be thwarted (II Sam. 15:31). • Perhaps Ps.55 was written about the betrayal of Ahithophel. Hushai has a mission to thwart Absalom & Ahithophel • II Sam. 15:34-36: His covert mission is one of espionage to undermine David’s enemies. • David trusted his loyalty and asked him to be in a dangerous position to benefit him and his men. True friendship is one of loyalty! Hushai: A True Friend

6. True Friendship: Wisdom/Cunning II Sam. 17:1-14: “The Influence Operation” Ahithophel’sCounsel – II Sam. 17:1-4: • Militarily sound: chase them down while they are tired – don’t let them rest. • 12,000 men against David who was weary and weak and they would strike at David alone, and bring back all the people to Absalom, who would be kept safe from harm during the fighting. • One man’s life for the nation – Caiaphas (Jn. 11:48-53) said the same thing concerning Jesus (the Son of David). • Ahithophel betrayed the Lord’s anointed as did Judas later in betraying Jesus. Hushai: A True Friend

7. True Friendship: Wisdom/Cunning II Sam. 17:14: “The Influence Operation” 14. Then 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 thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring calamity on Absalom. Hushai’sCounsel – II Sam. 17:5-14: • Terrible advicemingled with flattery! Played upon the vanity and arrogance of Absalom, and perhaps the fear he had for his father. • He reminded him of David’s valor in battle, and of his mighty men, and that David wouldn’t sleep with the people. • David’s men are mighty but they are weary and discouraged, and by waiting, they would have time to be refreshed. • He plays up Absalom’s role in the fighting – he would go into battle & would be the hero! • They would kill all of those loyal to David, not just take David alone. • The deception worked, for God worked through Hushai to answer David’s prayer against Ahithophel(II Sam. 15:31). Hushai: A True Friend

8. True Friendship: Wisdom/Cunning Mt. 10:16 (NKJ) 16. Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves Saints are to be wise, even cunning, in serving God True friendship is one based in wisdom and cunning for one another! (Having one another’s best interests at heart – Phil. 2:3-4)! Hushai: A True Friend

9. True Friendship: Trustworthy II Sam. 17:15-22: “The Espionage Action” 15. Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "This is what Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have counseled. 16. "Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, 'Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means cross over, or else the king and all the people who are with him will be destroyed.'" 17. Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, and a maidservant would go and tell them, and they would go and tell King David, for they could not be seen entering the city. 18. But a lad did see them and told Absalom; so the two of them departed quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard, and they went down into it. 19. And the woman took a covering and spread it over the well's mouth and scattered grain on it, so that nothing was known. 20. Then Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house and said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" And the woman said to them, "They have crossed the brook of water." And when they searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. 21. It came about after they had departed that they came up out of the well and went and told King David; and they said to David, "Arise and cross over the water quickly for thus Ahithophel has counseled against you." 22. Then David and all the people who were with him arose and crossed the Jordan; and by dawn not even one remained who had not crossed the Jordan. Hushai: A True Friend

10. True Friendship: Trustworthy II Sam. 17:23 23. Now when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and arose and went to his home, to his city, and set his house in order, and strangled himself; thus he died and was buried in the grave of his father. As saints we need to be honest and speak the truth (Eph. 4:25) • Though these individuals are not condoned or condemned in Scripture, their sins are in other places, but God worked it all out for David’s good (Rom. 8:28). II Sam. 17:23: When Ahithophel saw his counsel was not heeded, he hanged himself! • One of 6 recorded suicides in the Scriptures (King Saul and his unnamed armor-bearer; Samson & Zimri; Ahithophel & Judas). • Ahithophel & Judas both betrayed God’s anointed and committed suicide afterwards! • With his great wisdom, he knew Absalom was doomed to failure. Hushai: A True Friend

11. True Friendship: Trustworthy I Chr. 27:33 33. Ahithophel was counselor to the king; and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend. King David and his men were refreshed by “gifts” given to them – II Sam. 17:27-29 II Sam. 18: David’s victory over Absalom’s rebellion • God answered David’s prayer and saved him through his friend, Hushai, a secret agent who was loyal, wise, and trustworthy to David! What did Hushai do? He chose the Lord’s anointed over the usurper and put his life on the line for his friend! True friendship is one that is trustworthy no matter the cost! Hushai: A True Friend

12. Conclusion Most of us don’t have friends who are kings or queens! • But we do know people who face hardships or discouraging circumstances and need our support! How can you be a "Hushai" to someone who needs a good friend? • Are you willing to walk into hardships to encourage, offer comfort, and pray? • Are you willing to sacrifice your time, resources, energy, or maybe even put your life on the line to help a friend in need? • Are you using your gifts and abilities to help your friends? Hushai: A True Friend

13. Conclusion Jn. 15:13-14 13. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14. "You are My friends if you do what I command you. Are you a true friend to Jesus? Are you a "Hushai" to the Lord, God’s anointed? • Are you willing to suffer hardships (II Tim. 3:12), to encourage others, offer comfort, and pray (Gal. 6:2, 10)? • Are you willing to sacrifice your time, resources, energy, or maybe even put your life on the line for the name of Jesus (I Pet. 4:14, 16)? • Are you using your gifts and abilities to further the gospel (I Pet. 4:8-11)? Just as Hushai did for David, we stand up for Christ in our loyalty, wisdom, and trustworthiness, no matter the cost! Hushai: A True Friend

14. “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)