Day 122: Absalom’s advisors

Let’s see how well Absalom does at forming a government. It’s one thing to be popular, it’s quite another to rule well.
David’s prayer & praise
Psalm 22:19-31
Human wickedness
Psalm 14, 53
David and Hushai
2 Samuel 15:31-37
David and Ziba
2 Samuel 16:1-4
Shimei curses David
2 Samuel 16:5-14
David cries to God
Psalm 39
Absalom enters Jerusalem
2 Samuel 16:15-23
Ahitophel and Husahi advise Absalom
2 Samuel 17:1-14
David escapes
2 Samuel 17:15-24

David hasn’t given up - although he is fleeing for his life, he has done this before, and God has brought him through. He trusts that God will do so again. After the unbearable agony of the opening verses of Psalm 22, the conclusion of the psalm manages to break through into hope. Psalms 14 and 53 speak of the foolishness of those who do not put their trust in God, and Psalm 39 acknowledges human frailty and prays for another chance.
David is successful in planting a spy in Absalom’s camp. His trusted advisor, Hushai, is able to give Absalom bad advice, even while Ahitophel, previous David’s trusted advisor, he telling Absalom to press home his advantage. So David escapes again.