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Millions are delighted, millions disappointed, and millions more glad it’s finally over — the presidential election. The transition of power. 

Fortunately, it’s not a bloody business in our nation, but around the world, down through the ages, sides were chosen, and often it was kill or be killed.

Many do not realize that David’s kingdom was seized by his son Absalom and David fled for his life. It’s a detailed passage you should read in its entirety.

“Absalom acquired a chariot, horses, and 50 men to run ahead of him… When anyone had a case to be tried by King David… Absalom would reach out… and kiss him… So Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

“Four years later Absalom… sent his loyal supporters to all the tribes of Israel and said, ‘When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, say, “Absalom has become king… ”’ 

“[Upon hearing this,] David told all his men… ‘Let’s flee immediately, or none of us will escape… when he massacres the city.’

“… The king left on foot and his whole household followed him… All his mercenaries passed by him… all 600 men… 

“The king asked Ittai… ‘Why should you go with us? Go back… 

“But Ittai answered…  ‘… Wherever you are… I’ll be there.’

“The whole country was crying loudly… the king was crossing the Kidron Valley, and all the people were moving… toward the desert . . .

“David cried as he went… [and] Hushai… was there to meet him” (2 Samuel 15:1-32, GWT).

It’s here that David asked Hushai, his trusted friend, to help him. As it turns out, the man David feared most was his advisor, Ahithophel. 

Scripture says, “Now the advice of Ahithophel… was taken as though one inquired of the word of God” (2 Samuel 16:23, NASB).

David asked Hushai to essentially throw himself into the lion’s den — to return to Jerusalem and convince the new king that he had switched loyalties. This was David’s only hope of stopping Ahithophel.

Here’s how it played out.

“When David’s friend Hushai… came to Absalom, he said, ‘Long live the king!

“… ‘Is that how loyal you are to your friend?’ Absalom asked Hushai . . .

“Hushai answered Absalom… ‘As I served your father, so I’ll serve you’” (2 Samuel 16:16-19, GWT).

Absalom believed Hushai and then asked for advice from both Ahithophel and Hushai.

“Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘Let me choose 12,000 men and leave tonight to go after David. I’ll attack him while he’s tired and weak… I’ll kill only him. I’ll return all the people to you’” (2 Samuel 17:1-3, GWT).

But Hushai warned the new king, saying, “This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good… your father is an expert in warfare… at the first attack… a slaughter [will happen] among the people who follow Absalom” (2 Samuel 17:7-9, NASB).

Ahithophel, the brilliant advisor, hadn’t seen how his plan to kill David could fail, but he hadn’t counted on Hushai’s hidden loyalty to David.

Hushai told Absalom to wait. 

When the new king agreed, Ahithophel knew all was lost — David now had the opportunity to regroup and Absalom would be defeated. 

There was just one thing Ahithophel had left to do.

“Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out… and set his house in order, and hanged himself… ” (2 Samuel 17:23, NASB).

Indeed, David returned to Jerusalem, remained king until his death, serving as co-regent with his son Solomon. And David warned Solomon of those he should not trust.

Listen, I believe in forgiveness—I want to forgive, and I want my heavenly Father to forgive me. I don’t hold anything against anyone. I Gomer-Pyle God bless those who harm me, saying, “God bless you, God bless you, God bless you” until it takes all bitterness from me.

But loyalty is one of the most important cornerstones of a relationship with another person, whether friend or family member. 

Your situation will probably never be as life-and-death as David’s, but carefully decide where to put your trust. It will save you a lot of heartache.

The Rev. Mathews (BA, MDiv, JD) is a newspaper faith columnist and the author of the Reaching to God series and Emerald Coast: The Vendetta. Write to her at Hello@RAMathews.com. Copyright © 2024 R.A. Mathews. All rights reserved.