Any advice that Ahithophel gave in those days was accepted as though it were the very word of God; both David and Absalom followed it.
So how was Hushai going to defeat a sure thing? The same way Satan does to us! While God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3) and equiped us to persevere and conquer (Ephesians 6:14-18), Satan tries to convince us otherwise and/or push us to fight in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Do train me to respond rightly, Lord!
Not long after that, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me…” This seemed like good advice to Absalom and all the Israelite leaders.
Absalom said, “Now call Hushai, and let us hear what he has to say.” When Hushai arrived, Absalom said to him, “This is the advice that Ahithophel has given us; shall we follow it? If not, you tell us what to do.”
Why was Absalom opening another door when he had a sure thing? Hesitation and fear: Hushai could smell it. [Am I opening up other doors when I have a sure thing, Lord?]
…Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose… I will set out… I will attack…”
Hushai answered, “My advice is that you bring all the Israelites together…, as many as the grains of sand on the seashore… We will find… our people…”
Deep down, Absalom was a coward who hid behind others and Hushai knew exactly how to exploit it. Father, please by your grace cover whatever fault lines exist in me and continue to transform me; help me to be determined and confident (Joshua 1:9).
Hushai answered, “The advice Ahithophel gave you this time is no good. You know that your father David and his men… are as fierce as a mother bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is an experienced soldier… As soon as David attacks your men, whoever hears about it will say that your men have been defeated. Then even the bravest men, as fearless as lions, will be afraid because everyone in Israel knows that your father is a great soldier and that his men are hard fighters. My advice is that you…”
Absalom loved appearances, be it towards himself (2 Samuel 14:25-26) or what he projected towards others (2 Samuel 15:1). Hushai once again knew just how to exploit it: “whoever hears about it…”. I know, Father, that I am too preoccupied with how others perceive me. Please free me from that (Galatians 1:10)!