I get lots of advice, often without asking. Like the lady a couple of weeks ago who told me about how I should plant my tomatoes and how she planted her tomatoes (and why her husband doesn’t even like tomatoes). Then she chattered on about how tomatoes are grown in Wisconsin, why tomatoes are good to take boating, and had I ever heard of tomato cages? All while we stood looking at plants. I nodded politely but ignored her advice. I was just trying to choose between an Early Girl or Cherokee Purple.

Absalom rebelled against his father in order to seize the kingdom, and he called two advisors to help with his next move. One urged Absalom to attack immediately while David and his men lay exhausted and unprepared. The other (secretly working for David), cautioned restraint and proposed gathering a larger army before overwhelming the king’s forces.

Absalom, a young man who’d never led an army or a rebellion, and in awe of the stories of his father’s fighting ability, decided on further preparation.

Absalom choose poorly.

Absalom received lots of advice, but not much wisdom. The scriptures yield solid advice, oozing wisdom, and the person who helps you plant those in your life is golden indeed. Good advisors with trusted track records are hard to find. Hold those people close.

2 Samuel 16 & 17 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Javier Allegue Barros