How does 2 Samuel 15:35 connect with Proverbs on wise counsel? \Setting the Scene in 2 Samuel 15:35\ “Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Whatever you hear from the king’s palace, you must report to them.” • David is fleeing Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion. • Hushai the Archite volunteers to stay behind and serve as a double agent. • David directs Hushai to funnel intelligence through Zadok and Abiathar, trusted priests who will then relay the information to David. • The verse reveals David’s immediate reliance on a network of godly, trustworthy counselors to preserve the kingdom. \Parallel Themes in Proverbs\ Proverbs repeatedly stresses that wisdom flourishes in the company of reliable advisers: • Proverbs 11:14 — “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.” • Proverbs 15:22 — “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” • Proverbs 20:18 — “Set plans by consultation; wage war with sound guidance.” • Proverbs 24:6 — “For by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.” \Shared Truths Between David’s Strategy and Solomon’s Sayings\ • A multitude of counselors brings stability. David places three seasoned men (Hushai, Zadok, Abiathar) at the heart of his counter-strategy, mirroring Proverbs 11:14. • Wise plans require constant, truthful input. David instructs Hushai to “report everything,” embodying Proverbs 15:22’s insistence on thorough counsel before decisions are finalized. • Sound counsel protects during conflict. Proverbs 20:18 and 24:6 emphasize war strategy shaped by advice; David literally wages his civil war using the guidance of spiritual leaders. • Spiritual integrity matters. Zadok and Abiathar are priests, underscoring Proverbs 13:10’s link between humility, teachability, and wisdom. \Practical Takeaways\ • Seek counselors who fear God and know His Word. • Build a network before crisis hits; David already trusted these men. • Listen actively and share information openly with godly advisers—concealing truth weakens counsel. • Measure advice against Scripture; David relied on priestly voices rooted in God’s covenant law. • Act promptly on wise counsel; David’s instructions set in motion the timely delivery of crucial intelligence that ultimately saved the throne. \Summary Connection\ 2 Samuel 15:35 illustrates Proverbs’ principle that safety, success, and victory come through multiple, righteous counselors. David’s real-time application of that wisdom shows the living harmony between historical narrative and proverbial instruction—one confirms and enriches the other, underscoring God’s unchanging call to pursue and heed wise counsel. |