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Text: 2 Samuel 15-17
Ahithophel was a wise, well respected counselor in 2 Samuel 15:12 and 16:23. Ahithophel was David’s friend and confidante. Ahithophel had a son named Eliam who was among David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:34). These families were very close. Turns out that Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam (2 Samuel 11:3).
Absalom is David’s son and Absalom has decided to take David’s throne.
Even if it’s justified it won’t be good
- 2 Samuel 11. Ahithophel didn’t ask for his granddaughter to commit adultery with king David. He lost a good son-in-law in Uriah during this horrible episode. He lost a great grandson, the baby, that died as a result of the sin of David and Bathsheba.
- Ahithophel had every right to be mad at David. But would staying mad at David after God forgave him be a good thing to do?
- You may not have asked for this, but you’ll be the one holding it if you choose to be.
- Maybe the burden wasn’t something you asked for. Maybe someone handed you an injustice, but it’s your decision to carry it around or not.
That grudge has caused you to take sides against God
- 2 Samuel 15:10-13, 31-34
- Ahithophel became close to Absalom in order to get to David. Ahithophel didn’t care whether Absalom was king or not.
The grudge infects many people
- 2 Samuel 16:20-22
- Now, you know why this piece of disgusting advice is given? To publicly humiliate David just like Ahithophel felt when David committed adultery with his granddaughter Bathsheba.
- Bitterness becomes all consuming.
The grudge is hatred cloaked in good advice
- 2 Samuel 17:1-4
- You would never admit a grudge, but you would tear that person down every chance you get. And you would rejoice in their downfall.
The grudge you carry will cause God to work against you
- 2 Samuel 15:31-34 then 2 Samuel 17:5
- First of all God isn’t going to honor your grudge.
The grudge you carry will ruin your life
- 2 Samuel 17:23
- It will eat you up from the inside out. Even while you seem to have it all together you’ll be stewing in the devil’s pot.
- James 3:14-15 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
- James said, Lie not against the truth. That means bring that thing to light. Admit the problem! You keep saying to yourself and to God that’s not the issue when it is.
