Trusted Friends

David makes an interesting calculation in his flight from Absalom. While he also waited on the Lord's kindness and grace for his return (see 2 Samuel 15:25-26), he didn't simply let things happen naturally. On his way out of the city, he meets his friend Hushai.

2 Samuel 15:32–33 (ESV) While David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and dirt on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me.

Hushai is broken up about the events in Jerusalem. He's sad for the king and his friend. Notice what David asks him to do:

2 Samuel 15:34 (ESV) But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in time past, so now I will be your servant,’ then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.

Now Ahithophel posed the most trouble for David. Later the text informs us that Ahithophel's advice was as the voice of God.

2 Samuel 16:23 (ESV) Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.

So David makes a very calculated move here. He sees the writing on the wall and understands the power Ahithophel brings to Absalom's rebellion. Thankfully, he does not sit idly by as the events transpire and alliances are formed. He has a friend he can trust and rely on to be the subversive voice among Absalom's counselors. 

The whole episode reminds me once again of the importance of prayer, relying on the Lord AND ACTING in ways that accomplish your plans. So many times we want to pray but not DO anything. So many times we want to assume that spiritual practices will be enough. NO! David is active. He is using his best weapon at this moment: the weapon of trusted friends he's gained through investing in close relationships. 

You must not miss what made David effective for this strategy. We've seen it already in the people's response to him fleeing the city. David was BELOVED by people. But how did he get there? Was it his fame and fortune? No. It was his LOVE for the Lord and His people. David fought Goliath because he was a man of faith AND he was very much committed to the welfare of the Lord's people. That commitment was reciprocated in heart-felt devotion from Saul's son Jonathan to this man Hushai. When it comes to success, you cannot accomplish much if you do not care about people. 

The difference between David and Absalom is just that. David loved the people, Absalom loved himself. In the end, David wins but we are being asked to notice the difference between the two men here. Absalom's own counselor was undercut by the commitment people had to David. What a powerful testimony to the importance of loving and caring for others as David practiced again and again. Later we see that it is in fact Hushai who brings David's exile to a swift end. 

The text is illustrating the importance of caring for others. People need our help and one day we may need theirs. Loyal friendship is an invaluable resource. BUT, the text is also revealing the true David, Jesus. This is why the message of Jesus will never die. Because He has cared for His people in the most profound way - to die for them. That sacrifice fosters a loyalty in their hearts which runs deeper than any other alliance. Millions have paid for His message and mission to be accomplished with their own blood and sometimes unbearable torture. 

Like David, Jesus has loyal friends who will never bow the knee to the foreign invaders who seek to exalt themselves and leave a slew of death in their wake. In the end, those who love life because of the Lord's goodness to them will stand on the Earth, knowing their Redeemer lives.