Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 16-18
1) What motive could Ahithophel have for advising Absalom to sleep with his father’s concubines? (Keep in mind 2 Samuel 15:31)
2) Why do you think Absalom took Hushai’s advice over that of Ahithophel?
3) In chapter 18, the armies of Absalom and David meet – what was the result and what was an unlikely element in the defeat of Absalom’s army?
4) How did David take the news about Absalom?

1) Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba.  Could this be a possible motive for advising Absalom to sleep with his father’s concubines which would not only ridicule David but also avenge the wrong-doing with regard to David’s having committed adultery with Bathsheba?  Regardless of whether Bathsheba was in any way complicit in the act of adultery, Ahithophel harbored resentment and anger and this act would have eliminated any possibility of reconciliation between David and Absalom.

2) Hushai’s advice appealed to Absalom’s pride as he would be the one to lead the armies of Israel into battle.

3) The woods themselves played a role in the defeat of Absalom’s army and certainly in Absalom’s demise.

4) David asked Joab to ‘deal gently’ with Absalom which shows his agape love for his son. Even though his son had taken the kingdom from his hands, ridiculed him and was bent on killing his own father, David is distraught when he learns of Absalom’s death.  Keep in mind that David has lost two other sons, Amnon and the child born to Bathsheba.