2 Samuel 16:15

2 Samuel 16:15 says, And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. When  Absalom came to Jerusalem, Ahithophel, one of David's advisors came along with him.  Verse sixteen adds, And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.  After Absalom got to Jerusalem, Hushai another noted figure in the kingdom and a friend of David's, came to Absalom and acknowledged him as king.  It seemed that all of David's advisors were abandoning him for Absalom, and at times it may seem that all our friends are abandoning us if someone more powerful comes along.  Verse seventeen continues, And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?  Absalom questioned why Hushai had not gone with David, who was his friend.  He had not asked the same of Ahithophel, so he must not have been as close to David.  Absalom asked Hushai if this was the way he repaid a friend, and if we seem to abandon those who have been closest to us, those we abandon them for might ask us why.  I believe that if we abandon following God's guidance as Christians, He will certainly ask us why.  Verse eighteen states, And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.  Hushai answered that the one God and the people chose, he would follow.  Of course, God had not chosen Absalom, so though Hushai's statement was true, it did not mean that he was going to follow Absalom.  We as followers of Christ must always support those that God puts in place and not just those who claim that He has done so.  Verse nineteen adds, And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.  Hushai did then ask Absalom whom he should serve,and said as he had served David, Absalom's father, he would serve Absalom.  Of course, since David was still alive and had not relinquished the throne, Hushai's allegiance should have still been to David.  Our allegiance as Christians should always be to God above all else.  Verse twenty continues, Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.  Absalom then asked Ahithophel for advice as to what he should do.  Absalom was willing to look to others for advice, possibly because he certainly couldn't look to God for advice.  If we are acting outside of God's will, then we can only go to people of the world for advice, and it will likely always be wrong.  The only advice God would give us in a situation like this would be to repent and look to Him for guidance again.  Verse twenty-one says, And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. Ahithophel advised Absalom to go and have a sexual relationship with David's concubines who had been left behind.  Ahithophel said this would make Absalom look strong to all the people.  We can be certain that this advice didn't come from God, and anytime we given advice that is contrary to God's word, we can be certain that God is not behind it.  There is also the fact that this would involve women who did not want this to happen, and if we are going to act against what God teaches, we certainly shouldn't involve people who are powerless to stop us.  Verse twenty-two adds, So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.  Absalom not only did as Ahithophel had said, but he did so in a way that all of Isreal knew what he was doing.  Some people today still flaunt their sinful actions before the world and God.   Verse twenty-three continues,  And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.  Ahithophel appeared to be looking to God for his advice both when he had served David and now as he was serving Absalom.  Today, people still too often claim to be giving Godly advice, even when it goes against God's will and word.  We need to be careful that we aren't led astray by such advice or teachings.