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II SAMUEL 17:23

"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.