"A POOR LOSER"
Intro: Absolom the son of David had stolen the hearts of the people and
rebelled against his father who as the result fled from Jerusalem.
I. AHITHOPHEL THE COUNSELOR.
A. During the time of David's reign a trusted friend and advisor.
1. He had keen insight of human behavior.
a. He knew what actions to take to provoke
desired responses.
B. His counsel was as a oracle of God.
1. His wisdom seemed almost divine.
2. As though God was speaking His wisdom through him.
II. AHITHOPHEL THE OPPORTUNIST.
A. He had been a friend and advisor to David.
1. Psalm 55:12-14 David's reference to Ahithophel.
B. He saw the popular movement toward Absolom.
1. He decided to go with a winner.
2. He dumped David to ride on a rising star.
a. Nothing like a little trouble to help you
find out who your true friends are.
b. Many are inseparable companions in good times.
1. Let adversity arise and they are as
difficult to find as an igloo in
July.
Ill. HIS REJECTED COUNSEL TO ABSOLOM.
A. He desired to be commissioned to take 12,000 men and pursue
David immediately.
1. He proposed to kill only David and bring his
followers back in allegiance to Absolom.
2. His advice was wise and would probably have worked.
B. The conflicting advise of Hushai, David's friend.
1. He appealed to Absolom's pride, suggesting that he wait
and first gather all Israel and personally lead the
army against his father.
2. Absolom intoxicated by his own ego could picture
himself at the fore of a victorious army and chose
Hushai's advise over Absolom's.
3. This gave David what he needed most, time to group his
forces and establish defense positions.
IV. AHITHOPHEL THE POOR LOSER (vs. 23..
A. Though he was a wise man, he did dumb things.
1. His counsel was highly prized.
2. Even before suicide, "he set his house in order."
B. His suicide prompted by one of two reasons:
1. His own pride.
2. The discovery of his own folly.
a. He saw that he made a mistake in following
Absolom.
b. He could foresee Absolom's defeat by David.
V. AHITHOPHEL THE FOOL.
A. Thinking that he was adequately taking care of his family by
setting his house in order.
1. He actually denied them one of their greatest needs.
2. Any man is a fool who thinks that all his family needs
is material possessions.
B. By allowing his pride to destroy him.
1. A man is a fool when he allows his pride to lead him
into foolish decisions.
a. How many kept from Christ just because of
stupid pride.
C. By thinking suicide is an escape.
1. Suicide is one of the most selfish acts in the world.
2. A person thinking only of themselves.
3. Jesus Christ is the only true escape.
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.