Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
2 Samuel 17:15-16New International Version (NIV)
Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”
2 Samuel 17:15-16 (MSG)
Then Hushai told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, “Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel thus and thus, and I advised them thus and thus. Now send this message as quickly as possible to David: ‘Don’t spend the night on this side of the river; cross immediately or the king and everyone with him will be swallowed up alive.’”
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“Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “This is the advice that Ahithophel gave to Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is the advice that I have given. Now then, send word quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords [on the west side of the Jordan] in the wilderness, but by all means cross over [to the east side of the river], or else the king and all the people with him will be destroyed [if Ahithophel is allowed by Absalom to lead an attack].’” -AMPLIFIED
In today’s study we will be focusing on those faithful friends that continued to support, encourage, and be there for David, even in the midst of his troubles. David was running for his very life, but these people continued to champion him even when it meant that they themselves were in danger.
The list of these folks, David’s supporters, in 2 Samuel 17 is quite extensive.
Hushai– The king’s friend; who stayed behind to look out for David’s safety within the court.
Zadok and Abiathar– The priests who emissaries; smuggling out any important news that David need to be aware of in order to protect himself.
Jonathan and Ahimaaz– The priests sons who were the carriers of the information out of the royal city out to where David was in hiding.
The man of Bahurim– Who must have been a supporter of David; for Jonathan and Ahimaaz fled to his home to hide themselves when a young boy had seen them trying to sneak out of the city.
The man of Bahurim’s wife– This woman hid Jonathan and Ahimaaz in their family’s well; covering them so well that they were not found. When the soldiers came to the house to question them she sent them in the wrong direction so that Jonathan and Ahimaaz were not found.
Shobi– The son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, broad beans, lentils, and [other] roasted grain, honey, cream, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him, to eat. (This guy is thought to have been the son of the Ammonite king.)
Machir- The son of Ammiel from Lo-debar also contributed from his own belongings much of the same things that Shobi did. (The friend and protector of Mephibosheth.)
Barzillai– The Gileadite (from Rogelim)also supported David in much the same way as the other two beneficiaries did. (He is believed to have been a wealthy, old man who felt that he had nothing to lose in supporting his beloved king.)
We will find in the coming days as we continue to study David how much the support of his friends helped him through this troublesome time in his life. We all need friends in our lives such as David had; faithful friends that stick with us through thick and thin.
The Bible has much to say about friends and being a friend:
* “A true friend loves regardless of the situation, and a real brother exists to share the tough times.” -Proverbs 17:17 (VOICE)
* “In the same way that iron sharpens iron, a person sharpens the character of his friend.” -Proverbs 27:17 (VOICE)
* “Live in true devotion to one another, loving each other as sisters and brothers. Be first to honor others by putting them first.” -Romans 12:10 (VOICE)
* “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” -Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NLT)
Jesus Himself admonished His disciples of the need to love as true friends. Jesus said, “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.” -John 15:11-15 (MSG)
Let us be sure that we are faithful friends to those around us. We never know when we can be a help to those in need or they can be a help to us. No man is an island.
“I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.” ~Chuck Swindoll
My Prayer:
Father, thank you for the friends that you have given me; placed purposely in my life by you. They are such a blessing to me. May I too be a blessing to them. Help me to be the best friend that I can be to those special people that you have placed in my life. I want to love them like you do. Thank you too for being that friend that sticks closer than a brother, Lord. I do not know where I would be without you in my life. You are the best friend ever!
Growing with God 