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the case, the event, supernaturally foretold, happened, not by some sudden interference,
but through a succession of natural causes.
Having thus secured himself and his fellow-conspirators, Ahithophel proposed to select
12,000 men, make a rapid march, and that very night surprise David's followers, weary,
dispirited, greatly outnumbered, and not yet properly organized. Had this advice been
followed, the result would probably have been such as Ahithophel anticipated. A panic
would have ensued, David fallen a victim, and with his death his cause been for ever at
an end. But a higher power than the wisdom of the renowned Gilonite guided events.
In the language of Holy Scripture, "Jehovah had appointed to defeat the good counsel
of Ahithophel" (Samuel 17:14).
But, as first explained to Absalom and the council of Israelitish elders, Ahithophel's
advice at once commended itself to their acceptance. Hushai seems not to have been
present at that meeting. He was too prudent to intrude unbidden into the king's council-
chamber. Besides, he had made arrangements for communicating with David before
any measure of his enemies could have been executed. Just outside the city wall, by the
"En-Rogel," "the Fuller's Fountain" - for they dared not show themselves in the city,
the two young priests, Jonathan and Ahimaaz the swift-footed (2 Samuel 18:3), waited
in readiness to carry tidings to David.
Although Absalom had followed Ahithophel's vile advice, by which no immediate
danger was incurred, it was another thing to take so decisive a step as to risk the flower
of his army in a night attack upon David. If Ahithophel had retired from the royal
presence in the expectation of seeing his counsel immediately carried out, he was soon
to find himself disappointed. Hushai was next sent for, and consulted as to the measure
proposed by Ahithophel. It was easy for the old statesman to conjure up difficulties and
dangers to one so inexperienced and so irresolute as Absalom, and still more, by means
of unlimited flattery, to turn one so vain into another course. Absalom had only to
speak, and all Israel would gather to him from Dan even to Beer-sheba, - they would
light upon David like the dew upon the grass; or if he fled into a city, why, cart-ropes
would suffice to drag it, to the smallest stone, into the nearest river! On the other hand,
this was the worst time for attacking David and his men when they were desperate. The
idea of a night surprise was altogether inadmissible, bearing in mind David's great
experience in such warfare; while any mishap, however small, would be fatal to
Absalom's cause. We scarcely wonder, even taking the merely rational view of it, that
in such a council-chamber the advice of Hushai should have prevailed, although we
recognize none the less devoutly, the Hand of God in ordering all. There was one,
however, who did not deceive himself as to the consequences of this fatal mistake.
Ahithophel knew, as if he had already witnessed it, that from this hour Absalom's cause
was lost. His own course was soon and decisively chosen. He returned to his city, set
his affairs in order, and, with the deliberate cynicism of a man who has lost all faith,
(^)