Pampering a Superstar

Reflections on 2 Samuel 17:1-14
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If superstars don't demand pampering, someone will pamper them for their own purposes. Absalom was a superstar, and his advisers spent a lot of time pampering his ego. Absalom's swollen ego led to his downfall.

AHITHOPHEL. Absalom was already basking in the adulation of the multitudes. Although some had fled with David, Ahithophel assured Absalom that they too would return to him if David were dead. "Let me," he advised, "lead a sudden attack on David while he is still in flight. Let me take 12,000 men to surprise and overpower him. Our only goal will be to kill the king. Then all the people will return to you." Ahithophel's advice was brilliant because David had not yet joined up with Joab, who was apparently on the other side of the Jordan, but had only a small bodyguard protecting him and his family. Ahithophel's advice won initial approval, but it had one weakness: the fame for killing David, a fierce and crafty warrior, would go to Ahithophel instead of Absalom.

HUSHAI. "On previous occasions," Hushai told Absalom, "Ahithophel's advice has been good. This time, however, it is not good because David's men are fierce, experienced warriors who will not leave David open to attack and who are undoubtedly preparing an ambush." Therefore, Hushai suggested a better strategy: "Absalom, you yourself should gather and lead such an immense army against David that neither David nor his men will be able to escape alive." In giving this advice, Hushai appealed to Absalom's pride and raised questions about Ahithophel's motives without making any direct accusations.

ADVISERS. Normally, it is good for kings to have many advisers. After hearing Ahithophel, Absalom also sought out Hushai in accordance with Proverbs 24:6, which says, "For waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers." In this case, seeking additional advice backfired because "the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom." Hushai was actually David's agent, and he cleverly appealed to Absalom's vanity to overturn Ahithophel's advice so that David might have time to escape and gather an army. When Absalom approved of Hushai's advice, his advisers proved to be "yes" men instead of astute advisers. Unlike David, Absalom had no prophets or priests among his advisers who were unafraid to confront his sin or expose his vanity.