DIGGING OUT THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS--2 Samuel 17:23

Intro:  Now, I am not much of a gardener, but I do know this: some plants, especially some weeds, will never die unless you dig out their roots and utterly destroy them.  You can cut them off at the surface time after time, but they just keep coming back.  However, when the root is exposed and removed from the soil, the plant is gone. The definition we will use for Bitterness is: Resentful: angry and resentful.

I.                  THE TESTIMONY OF AHITHOPHEL’S LIFE

A.  He Had The Testimony Of A Saved Man – Many things in this man’s life give the indication that he was a saved man.

1.  He Sacrificed To God – 2 Sam. 15:12 – The very first time Ahithophel appears in the Bible, he appears engaged in the act of worship.  This indicates that he was a keeper of the Law and a worshiper of the Lord.

2.  He Spoke For God – 2 Sam. 16:23 – Ahithophel had the reputation as a man who gave good, godly counsel.  In fact, this verse says that hearing a word from Ahithophel was just like getting the word directly from the mouth of God.

B.  He Had The Testimony Of A Serving Man – Reading about this man’s life teaches us that he did not just believe in God, but he also served God by serving others.

1.  He Was A Counselor To God’s Man – 2 Sam. 15:12 – Great leaders have always surrounded themselves with good counselors and David was no exception. 

2.  He Was A Companion Of God’s Man – Psa. 41:9 – In this Psalm, which looks back on the treachery of Ahithophel’s life, David refers to him as “my familiar friend”.  They were as close as men could be.  I think that in using these two words, David is saying, “Ahithophel and I were closer that brothers.  Our hearts were wedded together as one and we walked together in peace.” 

II.                  THE TRAGEDY OF AHITHOPHEL’S LIFE

A.  A Tragic Conspiracy – When David’s son Absalom rebelled against his father, Ahithophel joined the rebellion and stood against God’s anointed, 2 Sam. 15:31; Psa. 41:9.

B.     A Tragic Counsel – Out of his hatred for David, Ahithophel gave Absalom two words of counsel. 

1-The first recommendation he made was designed to Disgrace King David, 2 Sam. 16:20-23.

2-The second recommendation was designed to Destroy King David, 2 Sam. 17:1-4.

C.  A Tragic Conclusion –David had a true friend in Absalom’s court, a man by the name of Hushai.  Hushai comes to Absalom and professes his loyalty, 2 Sam. 16:16-19.  After he has gained Absalom’s confidence, Hushai contradicts the wise counsel of Ahithophel, 2 Sam. 17:1-22, which resulted in Absalom accepting Hushai’s counsel and David being warned of what is about to take place and thus David is spared. 

III.                 THE TEACHING OF AHITHOPHEL’S LIFE

A.  The Reasons That Produced His Fall –There are three passages that reveal the reasons behind this man’s bitterness and hatred toward David.  They are: 2 Sam. 11:1-27; 2 Sam. 23:34.  Looking at these two passages together you can see that Bathsheba was the grand-daughter of Ahithophel.  This bitterness ate Ahithophel alive until he was brought to the point of intrigue and murder, 2 Sam. 17:1-4.  Then, when he saw that his plans had failed and the man he hated would return to the throne, Ahithophel took his own life, rather than face David. Can you see the danger in allowing a root of bitterness to flourish in your life? 

B.  The Remedies That Prevent Our Failure – With all this in mind, what can we do to avoid being consumed by a root of bitterness?  Thankfully the Bible holds the answer to this question.

1.  Acknowledge your own sin in allowing a root of bitterness to flourish. Your first step is to admit your own wrong before the Lord, 1 John 1:9.

2.  People must be forgiven!  This is not an option; it is a necessity, Matt. 18:15-17; Eph. 4:32.  !  .

3.  Past events must be forgotten!  What happened yesterday can never be changed.  But, you do hold the key to tomorrow.  You should never allow the hurts of yesterday to control your life!

4.  Hatred and anger must be forsaken! Eph. 4:26-27, give serious warning concerning anger within our lives.  It allows our adversary, the devil, a foothold, or a beachhead from which he can attack every area of our lives!  You must bring your bitterness to the Lord!

Conc:  Friend, are you afflicted with a root of bitterness?  If so, then let me challenge you to bring it before the Lord and let Him dig it out of your life tonight.  If you will honestly confess your hurt to the Lord, seek to forgive the offending party, and then God will give the grace needed to make that a reality in your life.  You don’t need to let that root of bitterness live another minute!