False Father Spirit

"And the counsel of Ahithophel, in those days, was as if a man had consulted the Word of God'  so was all Ahithophel's counsel considered both by David and by Absalom." 
2 Samuel 16:23 Amp.

I opened my bible today to 2nd Samuel when I came to this verse, it surprised me.  At this point in the story Absalom had revolted and Ahithophel had become his advisor.  Why was David being discussed?  Was Ahithophel David's advisor too?

I love the Word of God for many reasons, one of which is the details.  Their details which seem to be irrelevant, conflict and confuse until you dig deeper, study and "read between the lines".

Ahithophel was Bathsheba's grandfather.  Yes, the same Bathsheba which nearly destroyed David's Kingship.  The mother of Solomon and the Widow of Uriah, the Hittite. 

There are things we can surmise about their life from the facts at hand.  Ahithophel was a man of great pride, means and respect.  His granddaughter was given in marriage by him to Uriah, who was also a man of means and respect.  This is verified by the proximity of their home to the palace.  King David's downfall began when he saw Bathsheba bathing on HER patio.  If you are standing on your balcony and can look down into someone's patio ...you're pretty close. lol  The area surrounding the palace was not the poverty stricken slums.  Additionally, these homes were often a part of the palace complex and given to those who show great loyalty and bravery.  Uriah.  A man so committed to honor he refused the bed of his wife, in honor of his colleagues on the battlefield. 

Ahithophel may not have arranged the match but he most certainly had to agree to it.  His "son" in law, Uriah.  Famous warrior for the King.  Lived near the King's palace.  Until .. he hears ugly rumors his granddaughter frequents the palace late at night.  Rumors he, in horror, refuses to believe.  Until he is forced to by Uriah's sudden death and Bathsheba's instant claim by the King to accept.

Great anger must have taken hold of him .... as his behavior will prove.

There must have been, at least a semblance, of accepting Bathsheba's new husband because he apparently became Counselor to the King.  A position of great honor and dignity.  Their is virtually nothing said of his relationship with the King until it begins detailing Absalom's betrayal.  In the midst of it all there is one statement which triggers intrigue ...

"And the counsel of Ahithophel, in those days, was as if a man had consulted the Word of God'  so was all Ahithophel's counsel considered both by David and by Absalom."  2 Samuel 16:23 Amp.

Great honor and dignity won at the source of good people's pain is often like a bad smell.  Nothing seems to get rid of it.  Every acknowledgment prick's your conscience like a hot poker.  Every joy, shadowed by grief.  Every smile forced through pain.  Blame is your only relief.  Blame. Uriah's death was easy to blame on David.  He was responsible.  Easy to paint his granddaughter the victim of a powerful, handsome seducer and innocent. 

Every day Ahithophel walks the corridors, heads nod in honor, that whisper as he passes. 

"Who? "
"Her father?"
"No, Grandfather.  A respectable man."
"Not too respectable, or he would have raised a better granddaughter."

Shame.  Great honor is his and the cost is great shame and it is all David's fault.  But, in the prickliest of situations, he is the King.  How do you take vengeance on a King?  Especially a King of a country you love.  Few ways are justifiable to a man of pride and honor yet Ahithophel but, he found one.

A Coup.  Arise Absalom as King.  Little is said of Absalom and Ahithophel's alignment but, as verse 23 in the 16th Chapter of 2 Samuel explains Absalom thought his word above God, as did David. 

David is discussed much in scripture so little "imagination" is needed here.

David's relationship with his father is summed up in one situation.  He was sent out to the sheep.  He was forgotten, to the extent when the Prophet came to anoint one of his sons as King, David wasn't even considered.  Father wound number one.

David is taken into Saul's court and David becomes a member of Saul's family.  The King is his Father in law and, initially, his friend and supporter.  But, that changes and David has to flee for his life.  Father wound #2.

David wanders, fights and (undoubtedly feels) forgotten by God until the day Saul is killed and he is instantly propelled to the throne.  There he is, finally, safe and having achieved his destiny.  Apparently that wasn't enough.  Instead of fighting with his men, he is wandering the balcony staring at other men's wives.   Trouble is inevitable.  Bathsheba becomes pregnant.  Uriah is murdered.

Bathsheba moves into the palace (and evidently) so does her grandfather.  A man of means, respectability and honor.  His new Father in law.   Also a man of great pride.

Before long David values his word above even God.

God has called His children to parent those in the faith.  He has called us to "Love on another as He has loved us ...John 13:34"  There is a true relationship in the body of Christ where we nurture and mentor others.  This is not what I am discussing.   These relationships should all have, at least, one thing in common, they point you to Father God first.  They never, on any level usurp our Heavenly Father's place or importance. 

Ahithophel maneuvered.  He flattered.  He encouraged.  He became more important to David than his Heavenly Father. 

The boy who had slain a giant, the King who had conquered thousands, the Worshiper who danced with the Ark of the Covenant was deceived by a False voice.  A False Father.  A False Father Voice.

David had conquered many things.  He, like many of us, left an opening for satan by not continuing to listen for His voice.  He became lazy in his success.  He became distracted.  He became vulnerable.  Overburdened by his new responsibilities he, undoubtedly, longed for a Father to confide in, counsel with and gain advice from.  Rather than listening to His Heavenly Father, he turned to one who not only had ulterior motives but a vengeful heart.  Someone pretending to care for him like a father.

There are many reasons why we do not continue to "listen" to God.  To loose our "edge" of attentiveness to His Spirit. David didn't do it willingly or knowingly, in my opinion.  He had a heart after God he simply wasn't diligent to maintain his relationship.  To give a listening ear.  To pursue the issues of his heart that were not pleasing to God.  He, no doubt, became busy with his responsibilities and neglected his relationship with God. 

His heart had been wounded by Fathers.  His wound was never healed.  satan, in the form of Ahithophel, preyed upon it.  Ahithophel, in his own way, seduced the King with his voice of a False Father.  We can't know how much of his words lead to David's behavior and promoted Absalom's uprising but, we do know when "the dust settled" Athihophel was with Absalom and David was fleeing for his life, again from someone he dearly loved.  Not a "Father" but his son, inflamed by a "Father".  Father Wound #3. 

David hears his children crying around him, sees his wives enduring great hardship.  Knows they could all be dead by sunset and he is solely responsible.  Alone, struggling.  I can only surmise like I have done countless times when alone, David turned to his Father.  His one true Father.  In shame, in anger, in love, in repentance, imploring.  He turned to Him and was saved. 

False Father voices are incredibly loud until we turn to our Father, in Heaven.  Then they are deafening silent.  They like many of satan's devices are inflated and overblown. 

I have met few people in our society without a father wound of some type.  We are all vulnerable, we are all predictable, we are all just one phone call from our knees.  We need help, we needed ... need ... a Savior.  David had proven he could hear from God, as we all probably had.  David had proven he could accomplish great things for God, as I hope you have.   Like David, we need to stay plugged in to our Father.  The great thing about listening to our Father, every day is when a "False Father" tries to rise up, we will instantly see it as false and reject it.

For those who are not sure what "listening to His voice" is.  It is remarkably simple.  Get in a quiet place.  Begin to talk to Him.  Begin to thank Him.  Begin to Worship Him then be quiet ... reflect on His goodness ... then monitor your thoughts.  He speaks to our Spirit.  We "hear" him in our thoughts and sometimes our spirit, which is more of a "knowing".  But, His voice is unmistakable.

Don't neglect time with your father.  False father's abound and have evil intentions. 

Ahithophel sought revenge, power and control through Absalom but he lost all of those things and his life. 

There is no substitute for our Father's voice and no greater counselor than Him.  He will love us utterly despite our failures.  He will listen and tell us the easiest and best path to take.  He will give us advice free from any selfish and ulterior motives .... we only need to listen ... to the True Father Voice.