2 Samuel 17: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 2 Samuel 17 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Ahithophel advises Absalom to pursue David with twelve thousand men at night. He believes David is weak and that defeating him will bring peace to Absalom and his followers (vv. 1-4).

Key verse

“When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, arose, and went home, to his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the tomb of his father.”
2 Samuel 17:23 (WEB)

Outline

2 Samuel 17:1–4 Absalom Consults Ahithophel
2 Samuel 17:5–14 Hushai Counters Ahithophel's Counsel
2 Samuel 17:15–21 Hushai Sends Warning to David
2 Samuel 17:22–23 David's Escape and Ahithophel's Despair
2 Samuel 17:24–29 Support for David in Mahanaim

Discussion questions

In v1, what does Ahithophel propose to Absalom regarding David?
In v14, why do Absalom and the men of Israel prefer Hushai's advice?
Hushai's description of David in vv. 8-10: how does it contrast with Absalom's understanding of him?
Ahithophel's death in v23: what does this indicate about the consequences of rejected counsel?
When has a situation made you doubt a trusted advisor, as Absalom did with Ahithophel?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 2 Samuel 17: Psalm 33, 2 Samuel 15, 2 Samuel 16.

Before next time: read 2 Samuel 18.