https://youtu.be/LBdprYG_zlM

2 sam 16:15- 2 sam 17:14 On Purpose!, back in Jerusalem, Hushai david’s spy goes and praises Absalom who is concerned, and asks why he’s betrayed David and came to him. Hushai says he’s following the man Israel chose to follow- Absalom asks Ahithophel what he should do, he tells him to go into davids concubines he left behind. Absalom does it before all Israel fulfilling the prophecy of NathanAhithophel gives more advice, says he’ll ride out with 12k men and surprise David- and kill him and all of davids followers will come and follow Absalom. Absalom thinks it sounds good, but asks Hushai for a second opinion. Hushai says- bad advice- David is going to fight back. Instead- gather all Isreal to fight david- Absalom decided Hushai’s advice is better-

Prayer Changes things- But not God’s purpose

The first part of this story is that Ahithophel goes to Absalom to give him some advice- its weird advice- Go in to the concubines of David in the sight of Israel- Doesn’t realize that he is fulfilling a prophecy- but he is advising what Kings do that take over other kings- Show who is king.Here’s the thing tho- David prayed Athithophels counsel to be foolishness- 2 Samuel 15:31 Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”it was foolish advice- It insured the demise of Absalom. How could he and David reconcile after such a thing? Absalom sexually assaults his fathers concubines as a show of powerHere’s the nugget of this part of the story tho- David’s prayer worked! He prayed that Athitophels counsel would be foolishness- and it was! This was horrible advice- PLUS- Later in the story- Absalom doesn’t take Ahithophels advice to let him go and attack- more foolishness.God answered David’s prayer and made Ahithophel look foolish- v17:23 says he committed suicideGod moves when people of God pray! Not the suicide but the foolish advice!Moses prayed to change God’s mind and it did “Ex 32:14 So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.Joshua prayed to stop the sun from Going down Josh 10:12-13Hannah prayed for a child- 1 Samuel 1:27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.What does it mean to you?Are you praying for things that God can move on? Have you given yourself over to doubt?We serve a God that can do above and beyond all we can ask or imagine- We need to PRAYElijah prayed that it wouldn’t rain and it didn’t. james 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.

That’s an answer to prayer!Tons of scriptures on prayer in the NT-Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Matt 21:22If there are things in your life that you want to see God move- PRAY- watch what he does-1 John 5:14-15 READ He will answer!John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.Pray big bold- prayers that will change the course of your life- Watch what Does doesMatt 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be openedPeople will say- what if God doesn’t answer- who cares! PRAY!Pray for a wife, kids, building, provision, protection, etc. Why me? Idk- But he answered!

Take wise counsel- Understand God’s purpose

Now in this part of the story- we see that Absalom took part of athithophels adv...