Hushai suggested a plan that appealed to a vain and selfish nature: “‘I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person. So we will come upon him in some place where he may be found, and we will fall on him as the dew falls on the ground. And of him and all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. Moreover, if he has withdrawn into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city; and we will pull it into the river, until there is not one small stone found there.’”
“So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, ‘The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.’” But one person clearly foresaw the result of this fatal mistake of Absalom’s. Ahithophel knew that the cause of the rebels was lost. And he knew that whatever might be the fate of the prince, there was no hope for the counselors who had masterminded his greatest crimes. Ahithophel had encouraged Absalom in rebellion; he had counseled him to the most abominable wickedness; to the dishonor of his father; he had suggested a plan to kill David; he had cut off the last possibility of being reconciled himself with the king; and now Absalom was looking to someone else instead of him. Jealous, angry, and desperate, Ahithophel “went home to his house, ... and hanged himself, and died.” This was the result of the wisdom of one who did not make God his counselor.
Hushai lost no time in warning David to escape beyond the Jordan river without delay: “Do not spend this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, lest the king and all the people that are with him be swallowed up.”
David, worn out with toil and grief after that first day of fleeing, received the message that he must cross the Jordan that night, for his son was seeking his life. What were the feelings of the father and king in this dangerous, terrible time? In the hour of his darkest trial, David’s heart was fixed upon God, and he sang:
Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!Many are they who rise up against me.Many are they who say of me,“There is no help for him in God.”But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,My glory and the One who lifts up my head.I cried to the Lord with my voice,And He heard me from His holy hill.I lay down and slept;I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.I will not be afraid of ten thousands of peopleWho have set themselves against me all around. Psalm 3:1-6
In the darkness of night, David and all his company crossed the deep, swift-flowing river. “By morning light not one of them was left who had not gone over the Jordan.”
David and his forces fell back to Mahanaim, which had been the royal seat of Ishbosheth. It was a strongly fortified city set in mountains that served as a safe retreat in case of war. The country had abundant supplies and the people were friendly to David.
Absalom, the rash and impetuous prince, soon set out in pursuit of his father. His army was large, but it was undisciplined and poorly prepared to cope with the battle-hardened soldiers of his father.
David divided his forces into three battalions under the command of Joab, Abishai, and Ittai.
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