What does 2 Samuel 18:10 teach about the importance of heeding wise counsel? The Scene in 2 Samuel 18:10 “ ‘But one of the men saw Absalom and informed Joab, “I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.” ’ ” The Soldier’s Example of Listening to Wisdom • He remembers David’s clear order: “Protect the young man Absalom for my sake” (v. 5, 12). • He resists Joab’s temptation to act rashly (vv. 11–13). • He values the king’s instruction above personal reward, showing that obedience to wise counsel outweighs immediate gain. Joab’s Contrast: Ignoring Counsel • Joab dismisses David’s directive (vv. 14–15) and kills Absalom. • His disregard triggers the king’s profound grief (vv. 33–19:4) and sows seeds for his own eventual downfall (1 Kings 2:5–6). • The narrative sets Joab’s self-willed pragmatism against the unnamed soldier’s obedient restraint, highlighting the cost of spurning godly counsel. Why Heeding Wise Counsel Matters Today • Preserves life and testimony—wise words protect us from destructive choices (Proverbs 12:15; 13:20). • Honors God-given authority—obedience aligns us with the order God establishes (Romans 13:1–2). • Guards the heart from regret—ignoring counsel often leads to sorrow we cannot undo (Proverbs 10:17). • Invites divine favor—“Plans succeed through many counselors” (Proverbs 15:22). Supporting Passages • 2 Samuel 17:14 —David’s life is spared because the LORD “frustrated the good counsel of Ahithophel.” • Proverbs 11:14 —“Victory is won through many advisers.” • 1 Samuel 25:32–33 —David blesses God for Abigail’s timely advice that kept him from bloodshed. • James 1:22 —“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only,” reinforcing that counsel must be acted upon, not merely acknowledged. Takeaway Truths • Wise counsel is a safeguard God graciously provides; ignoring it invites needless pain. • True wisdom submits to righteous authority even when personal benefit is offered for disobedience. • The unnamed soldier stands as a model: better to walk away empty-handed yet faithful than to grasp reward at the cost of transgressing clear instruction. |
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