Bad Counsel — But God Answered David’s Prayer

Bad Counsel — But God Answered David’s Prayer

Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:31
“O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”

Have you ever received counsel that sounded like gospel truth, only to discover that it was based on gossip?

Sometimes people form an opinion about us from what somebody else has said without ever taking the time to discover the facts. Advice based upon gossip can soon become bad counsel. What sounds convincing may not necessarily be true.

King David knew something about this.

David Was in Trouble

David’s own son Absalom had rebelled against him and was seeking to take the kingdom. David was forced to flee Jerusalem, and then came even worse news:

Ahithophel, David’s trusted counsellor, had joined Absalom.

Ahithophel was no ordinary adviser. The Bible tells us:

2 Samuel 16:23:
“And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God.”

His advice carried enormous weight.

Everything seemed to be going Absalom’s way. He had declared himself king. David was fleeing. Ahithophel was advising the rebellion.

Someone looking only at the circumstances might have concluded that God had finished with David.

But they would have been wrong.

David Did What Every Believer Should Do

When David heard that Ahithophel had joined Absalom, he did not surrender to despair.

He prayed.

“O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
— 2 Samuel 15:31

What a short prayer!

David could not control Absalom.
He could not control Ahithophel.
He could not control what people were saying about him.

But David knew the One who was still in control.

David may have lost his throne temporarily, but God had not lost His throne.

David then sent Hushai back to Jerusalem, and God used Hushai to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. What appeared impossible was changed by the hand of God.

God answered David’s prayer.

Never Mistake Circumstances for God’s Verdict

This story teaches us an important lesson.

Just because everything appears to be going wrong does not mean God has abandoned you.

Just because people have spoken against you does not mean their words are God’s words.

Just because somebody gives impressive advice does not mean it is godly advice.

And just because you have failed God does not mean that God cannot restore you.

David himself had sinned and failed terribly, yet he knew where to turn:

Psalm 51:10–11:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”

There may be times when you feel as though you have hit the ground hard. Perhaps you have failed the Lord, wandered away, or listened to the wrong voices.

Do not stay down.

Get back to God.

The world may tell you that you are finished.
The flesh may tell you there is no hope.
The devil may tell you there is no way back.

That is bad counsel.

Listen instead to the Word of God.

The Lord says:

Joel 2:25:
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.”

God is still the God of restoration.

God Is Only a Prayer Away

David was running from his enemies, rejected by his own son and betrayed by a trusted counsellor. Yet in the middle of that terrible situation, David prayed—and heaven heard him.

Never underestimate a simple prayer offered in faith.

You may not be able to change people’s minds.
You may not be able to change your circumstances.
You may not know what tomorrow will bring.

But you can pray.

And when God’s people pray, God can overturn the cleverest plans of men.

So when bad counsel surrounds you, when gossip replaces truth, and when circumstances appear hopeless:

Listen to Jesus.
Listen to the Scriptures.
Keep praying.
Keep trusting.
Keep going with God.

David may have been off the throne, but the LORD was still upon the throne of David’s heart.

And the God who answered David’s prayer is still the God who hears prayer today.

When man’s counsel says, “Give up,”
God’s Word says, “Look up.”

“O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
— 2 Samuel 15:31

Georges Bible Ministries

For Georges Web Ministries

10th September 2026

God is a good God

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