Do not touch My anointed ones; do My prophets no harm. 1Chron 16:22, Ps 105:15 Don’t touch whoever or whatever belongs to God!
I was thinking recently of two Old Testament characters, who I didn’t know were connected, namely Ahithophel and Uriah the Hittite
Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who enquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice. 2 Sam 16:23
Uriah said to David, “The Ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” 2 Sam 11:11 Uriah was a very honourable man and unfortunately it cost him his life.
The connection? In 2 Sam 23:34 we learn that Eliam was the son of Ahithophel. In 2 Sam 11:3 David’s messenger said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite”. Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba!
Ahithophel was David’s adviser but he turned against him and sided with Absalom, in his move for the kingship of the people and the land. God sent Nathan the prophet to tell David he was going to expose his secret sin, ‘in broad daylight before all Israel. Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord”.’ 2 Sam 12:12
David admitted his sin before the Lord(Psalm 51). Leaders, like the all of us can acknowledge failures and find forgiveness from God. That’s something we should remember. God forgave David and Bathsheba and David’s successor, King Solomon was born to them, indeed David had four sons to Bathsheba.
Ahithophel was not so fortunate, “the Lord had determined to frustrate his good advice”. He saw his advice had not been followed so he went home, put his affairs in order and hanged himself. Ahithophel may well have sought his own revenge on David, the Lord’s anointed, for dishonouring his granddaughter. God didn’t permit it but David had to pay a high price. David had never lifted his hand against Saul, though he’d twice been given the opportunity. That may have been part of the reason why God didn’t allow his life and reign to be brought to a premature end.
We are called to pray for those in authority, leaders, God knows their shortcomings much better than we do and can deal with them in His time. Remember, the way we treat others is how we will be treated!
God bless and keep you.