It’s a Matter of Counsel II Sam. 15:1 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

(2 Samuel 15:1-12,30-37 ; 16:15-23 ; 17:1-15 ; 18:1-9)

In this sermon we will deal with the subject of counsel and why it is so necessary in the lives of saved people. The passage we will use is lengthy but it shows us the story of how Absalom takes over the kingdom and is destroyed in the process.

Absalom has a desire to overthrow King David and starts his process many years before the actual event takes place. He first puts himself in the position to steal the hearts of the people. Then he assembles men on his behalf. He goes to Hebron and announces himself as the king. It is not until after all this is done that he calls for Ahithopel who was David’s counselor to become his counselor. David leaves Jerusalem and sends Hushai to Absalom to act on his behalf.

Both Ahithopel and Hushai gave counsel to Absalom on how to defeat David. Hushai’s counsel sounded better to Absalom than the counsel of Ahithopel. So Absalom followed the counsel of Hushai and they were defeated in battle. Absalom gets caught up in the tree and eventually killed.

The Purpose of Counsel :

1)  Safety to avoid a fall (Proverbs 11:4)

• The first purpose of counsel is for your safety.
• Safety equipment can be a burden to wear and work in, but it can save your life.
• Counsel can be a burden to get an follow but in the end it can save your life.

Proverbs 1:5 “A wise man will hear and will increase learning and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsel.”

Proverbs 12:15 “The way of the fool is right in his own eyes : but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”

2)  Establish Purposes (Proverbs 15:22)

• There are many good purposes that people have for their lives; the problem is that they end up disappointed because of no counsel or rejecting counsel.
• Many times good people with good ministries are disappointed over the issue of counsel.
• Getting the right counsel is hard work but well worth the effort.

Proverbs 20:5 “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.”

3)  Get to the truth of the matter (Proverbs 19:20-21)

• The reason that everyone needs counsel is because their heart will deceive them (Jeremiah 17:9).
• Any time we are emotionally involved with the decision that needs to be made or with the person that is asking us for counsel we need counsel to help us sort out the devices in our own hearts so that we can find out what the truth really is.
• Kids should counsel with their parents and pastor, but the parents should counsel with the pastor in regards to their counsel for kids.
• Remember the heart will fool us but the counsel of the Lord shall stand.

What can we learn from Absalom in regards to counsel?

1)  Everyone needs counsel (2 Samuel 15:12)

• Absalom sought for David’s counselor. This shows us that even though David was king and a great warrior he still needed counsel.
• Many people think that because they know a lot of Bible or have been to Bible college that they don’t need counsel in their lives.
• The truth of the matter is they probably need it more because their knowledge is blocking their judgment, it is like one of those devices from the heart in Proverbs 19:20-21.

2)  Good counsel will not fix a bad idea (2 Samuel 17:23)

• Ahithopel was a good counselor but his counsel would not fix the bad idea of Absalom.
• Remember that Absalom planned out the takeover of the throne and put all the pieces in play and then he sought out a counselor.
• Most people today do the same as Absalom the already have all the pieces in motion and have made up their minds to their course of action. Then they go to the pastor so it will look like they are asking for counsel. In reality they are just looking for conformation to their decision that they have already made.

3)  Be careful where you get your counsel from (2 Samuel 15:12 ; 16-15-23)

• Absalom sought his counsel from a spy who was secretly working for David.
• It is amazing who people will go to for counsel. Many think that because others have the same problem they will make good counselors. But that is like going to a drunk to get help with drinking.
• Your counsel needs to be a counselor who will use the word of God to counsel by. It is also probably best for that person to not be emotionally attached to you.
• If you’re a teenager then don’t go to teens or other people close to your age. Go to someone who has walked down that road and knows something about what you are facing.

4)  In the end you are responsible for what you do with counsel (2 Samuel 18:1-8)

• Absalom ends up dead because of his handling of counsel.
• In the end you are responsible for what you do with counsel. In the event that you get conflicting counsel go with the word of God. But for you to do this successfully you will have to have practiced using the word of God and good counsel before (Hebrews 5:12-14)