Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 31 January, 2021
“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
fear before him, all the earth” (Ps. 96:9)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Abimelech, the Bramble King (3)
Abimelech’s Coronation [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Joshua 24:1, 14-33
Text: Judges 9:6-7
I. The Shechem Location
II. The Unholy Ceremony
III. The Gerizim Curse
Psalms: 2:6-12; 89:1-6
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Scripture Reading: Psalm 103
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 34
I. A Covenant Gift to God’s People
II. The Spirit’s Writing on Our Heart
III. The Divine Standard for Good Works
Psalms: 19:8-14; 119:97-104
For CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services, contact Stephen Murray
If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Stewart or the elders
CPRC Website: www.cprc.co.uk • Live Webcast: www.cprc.co.uk/live-streaming
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quotes to Consider
Matthew Henry on Judges 9:6: “Way being thus made for Abimelech’s election, the men of Shechem proceeded to choose him king (Judges 9:6). God was not consulted whether they should have any king at all, much less who it should be; here is no advising with the priest or with their brethren of any other city or tribe, though it was designed that he should reign over Israel (Judges 9:22). But, the Shechemites, as if they were the people and wisdom must die with them, did all; they aided and abetted him in the murder of his brethren (Judges 9:24), and then they made him king … these gathered together, not to prosecute and punish Abimelech for this barbarous murder, as they ought to have done, he being one of their citizens, but to make him king … His wickedness was rewarded with a diadem. What could they promise themselves from a king that laid the foundation of his kingdom in blood? The rest of the Israelites were so very sottish as to sit by unconcerned. They took no care to give check to this usurpation, to protect the sons of Gideon, or to avenge their death, but tamely submitted to the bloody tyrant, as men who with their religion had lost their reason, and all sense of honour and liberty, justice and gratitude.”
C. F. Keil on Judges 9:6: “The inhabitants of Shechem, the worshippers of Baal-berith, carried out the election of Abimelech as king in the very same place in which Joshua had held the last national assembly, and had renewed the covenant of Israel with Jehovah the true covenant God (Josh. 24: 1, 25, 26).”
Herman Hoeksema on Lord’s Day 34: “[The believer’s] freedom means that exactly as a redeemed Christian, who does not have to work for his salvation and who has eternal righteousness and life in principle, he can freely walk according to the will of God from loving gratitude. His freedom means further that he has been liberated from the law of sin and death and that now his inmost desire is to know the will of God and to keep his testimonies and statues for the whole of his life in the world” (Love the Lord Thy God, p. 145).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
Catechism classes will not meet due to the lockdown.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet in the auditorium to consider our assurance of salvation through the inner testimony of the Holy Spirit.
Belgic Confession Class will meet and be streamed live this Wednesday at 7:45 PM to discuss Paul and John on the “last days” in connection with Article 37.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled, “The Gospel According to Mark” (Mark 1:1).
The Council meets next Monday, 8 February, at 7:30 PM by video conference.
Offerings: General Fund: £385. Donation: £50 (Malaysia).
Translation Additions: 1 Polish and 1 Spanish.
Absalom Takes Hushai’s Advice
Brian D. Dykstra
II Samuel 17
Ahithophel, having given Absalom such vile advice that the rift between David and Absalom could never be healed, continues with giving advice. Ahithophel proposes that he be in command of 12,000 men whom he would lead that night, pursue David and kill him. Ahithophel was sure that David was “weary and weak handed.” His advice was sensible, and it pleased Absalom and the elders of the people.
David had travelled for many hours in his haste to flee Jerusalem. Many children journeyed with him which would have reduced the speed of his escape. David’s armed men are estimated to number less than 2,000. Although Ahithophel’s men number “only” 12,000, not a huge army for that time, they would be far too powerful for David to defeat.
Ahithophel has only one goal in the battle which he hopes will soon be engaged. If he manages to kill only one person but that person is David, Ahithophel’s mission will be a great success. With David dead, Israel would have to unite under Absalom, no matter how distasteful Absalom might be to God’s true people. This was Ahithophel’s advice which we saw described as coming from “the oracle of God.”
Ahithophel’s advice, good as it is, neglects something fundamental. Although David is suffering the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, God has not forsaken David. Although David is unworthy of God’s care, as all the elect are of themselves, God loves him and will keep the promises He has spoken to him. God never totally removes His grace from His people. With God on David’s side, something would have to happen to Ahithophel’s army which would result in David being delivered.
Absalom wants to hear from Hushai and calls for him. Upon hearing Ahithophel’s advice, Hushai, though he knows the brilliance of the plan, declares that it “is not good at this time.” Hushai makes Absalom’s followers recall some basic facts about David and the faithful men with him. David and his men have a proven record of valour in battle. David would be cunning enough to find a hiding place which would be conducive to fighting under conditions favourable to himself. When David springs his ambush on Ahithophel’s men, the rest would panic and the report of this defeat would spread, disheartening Absalom’s followers. Hushai compares David to a bear robbed of her cubs. Anyone who has hiked the Rocky Mountains of the American West has heard the park rangers’ warning about surprising bears, especially those with cubs. Attacking David in his current frame of mind would not be a good idea.
Hushai proposes that a huge army be gathered from one end of Israel to the other and that Absalom should lead this impressive host. No matter how valiant David and his men were, they would have no more chance of victory than a person would have of trying to keep dew off the ground. Even if David were to escape to a walled city, Absalom’s glorious host would pull every stone of the city into the river. Everyone who supported David would be dead and Absalom could rule Israel without having to hear any grumbling.
Absalom and those with him declare Hushai’s advice to be better than Ahithophel’s. That’s because “the Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom.” We have a glimpse of how God moves the hearts of men. Absalom does not say, “I am certain that Ahithophel’s counsel is better but, for some reason unknown to me, I find myself doing what Hushai says. It’s as though I am being forced to go against my own will!” No, God is not dragging Absalom by the scruff of the neck to his destruction. Absalom sees that Ahithophel will receive the credit for killing David if Ahithophel’s advice is followed. Absalom, being self-centred and proud, pictures himself leading a great host. He imagines returning to Jerusalem in triumph and being the subject of the dancing women’s songs as they celebrate his victory. He vainly imagines his subjects will adore him. Absalom is simply following the desires of his own, God-given personality.
Just to be safe, Hushai sends a message to David, warning him about Ahithophel’s advice. Perhaps Hushai fears Ahithophel will take matters into his own hands and attack David that night without Absalom’s approval. The messengers, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, were sons of the priests Zadok and Abiathar. They narrowly escape capture when a woman of the city of Bahurim hides them in a well and misdirects Absalom’s servants who pursue them. She follows the example of Rahab who is listed among the faithful in Hebrews 11.
Ahithophel, seeing his advice was not taken, goes home, puts his household in order and hangs himself. His actions were carefully considered. He did not hang himself in a fit of passion. He had enough time during his journey home to consider his actions. Ahithophel did not hang himself because he was in an emotional condition similar to a spoiled child. His thought was not, “If these people are not going to listen to me, and they think that Hushai’s advice is better, I don’t even want to live anymore! I just can’t stand not being considered the best.” Ahithophel knew Absalom’s cause was doomed.
Ahithophel knows David will return to Jerusalem as king. He also knows how David will feel about him, since he was the one who gave Absalom the advice to behave so deplorably with the concubines David had left in the palace to care for it. He would much rather face death by his own hand than face the wrath of David. Ahithophel has such fear for an earthly king. No wonder that when the King of all heaven and earth returns as judge, the wicked will prefer that hills and mountains cover them, as though being buried by so much material will protect them from the wrath of the Lamb.
David arrives in Mahanaim, safely on the east side of the Jordan River. We read of three people who supplied David’s household and followers with everything they needed. One was Shobi, an Ammonite. David administered a crushing defeat to the Ammonites some years earlier. Why would an Ammonite help David? Wouldn’t Shobi’s bitterness be too great? David might have placed Shobi, the son of Ammon’s last king, as ruler of Ammon under David. Shobi might have been indebted to David for his political position. Furthermore, could Shobi have developed a spiritual interest in caring for the man after God’s own heart? Even in these difficult circumstances God still provides for His servants. We make our petition for our heavenly Father to provide us with our daily bread. Our almighty Father is willing and able to provide for all His people.
