171 Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom , "Please let me choose 12,000 e e men that I may arise and pursue David tonight . 2 " I will come upon him while he is weary and exhausted e and terrify him, so that all the people who are with him will flee . Then I will strike down the king alone , 3 and I will bring back all the people to you. The return of everyone depends on the man you seek ; then all the people will be at peace ." 4 So the plan pleased e Absalom and all the elders of Israel . 5 Then Absalom said , "Now call Hushai the Archite also , and let us hear what he has to say ." 6 When Hushai had come to Absalom , Absalom said to him, "Ahithophel has spoken thus e . Shall we carry out his plan ? If not, you speak ." 7 So Hushai said to Absalom , " This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good ." 8 Moreover, Hushai said , "You know your father and his men , that they are mighty men and they are fierce e , like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field . And your father is an expert in warfare , and will not spend the night with the people .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:1-8
Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:1-21
(Read 2 Samuel 17:1-21)
Here was a wonderful effect of Divine Providence blinding Absalom's mind and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel's counsel, and that he should desire Hushai's advice. But there is no contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destroy him by his own mistakes and passions. Ahithophel's former counsel was followed, for God intended to correct David; but his latter counsel was not followed, for God meant not to destroy him. He can overrule all counsels. Whatever wisdom or help any man employs or affords, the success is from God alone, who will not let his people perish.