2Sa 17:14 | KingComments | STEP | Here we see why Hushai’s speech is successful. This is not because of his eloquence and persuasiveness, but because the LORD has ordained this. The words of Hushai are used by the LORD to reach His goal. It is not the case that Hushai would have managed to convince Absalom without his convincing speech. His magnificent plea was necessary, and God uses it. Absalom and all the people are convinced. The fact that the LORD governs it, does not alter the fact that Hushai had to lay down a good plan. As so often, the responsibility of man and the purpose of God also work together here. This is also the case with us, for example when it comes to the preaching of the gospel. On the one hand, through the preaching, all will believe who “had been appointed to eternal life believed” ( ). On the other hand, we must convince people of their sins, as if it depends on us that they repent. We then read that they “spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks” ( ). We must speak and work according to our responsibility and then we will find that the Lord uses it to speak to people. We also pray that our words and all kinds of organizational matters will be blessed by Him. The same goes for the upbringing of our children.

‏ 2 Samuel 17:14

The Counsel of Ahithophel Rejected

Here we see why Hushai’s speech is successful. This is not because of his eloquence and persuasiveness, but because the LORD has ordained this. The words of Hushai are used by the LORD to reach His goal. It is not the case that Hushai would have managed to convince Absalom without his convincing speech. His magnificent plea was necessary, and God uses it. Absalom and all the people are convinced. The fact that the LORD governs it, does not alter the fact that Hushai had to lay down a good plan. As so often, the responsibility of man and the purpose of God also work together here.

This is also the case with us, for example when it comes to the preaching of the gospel. On the one hand, through the preaching, all will believe who “had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). On the other hand, we must convince people of their sins, as if it depends on us that they repent. We then read that they “spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks” (Acts 14:1). We must speak and work according to our responsibility and then we will find that the Lord uses it to speak to people. We also pray that our words and all kinds of organizational matters will be blessed by Him. The same goes for the upbringing of our children.