Ahithophel’s Advice by Kirk Hunt

Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

2 Samuel 16:23

Ahithophel was a clever, sage man. As if God Himself was revealing truth, folks listened when Ahithophel spoke. And that skill and expertise did not change when Ahithophel changed sides.

Do not confuse high skill with righteous character. King David made use of Ahithophel’s expertise and insight to make Israel a powerful, rich nation. Absalom made use of Ahithophel’s same abilities to overthrow his father and seize the throne.

Knowledge, insight and intellect are valuable tools, but righteous character and Godly intent are better. Ahithophel expertly guided Absalom to usurp political power and attempted patricide. The trusted advisor turned on the true King and made violence between father and son inevitable.

Betrayers are always detested and hated. All the good they ever did is buried under their failure to keep faith with those who trusted them. Loyal and trustworthy men and women are always honored.

Because Ahithophel turned against David, brave soldiers and a king’s son had to die. The kingdom was disrupted by the mutiny and attempted coup. And David wept bitterly over the loss of his son.

I pray all of God’s people are smart, clever and insightful. But I pray more that all of God’s people are Godly in their character and righteous in their actions. A less clever fix may take less time, but a righteous solution will cost less and last longer.

Think: Clever intelligence is good, but Godly character is better.

Pray: “Lord, I seek Your Wisdom but I plead more for Your character.”

Copyright © August 2025, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

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