The Antidote to Demagogery

I. The Danger Described

He used theater v.1

He used flattery v.2-6 Prov 20:19; 26:28; 28:23

Proverbs 20:19 NKJV

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

Proverbs 26:28 NKJV

A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 28:23 NKJV

He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue.

He used deception v.7-9

He used timing v.10-12

II. The Antidotes

A. Loyalty

Ruth 1:16–17 NKJV

But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

B. Faith

C. Strategy

What was so scary about Ahithophel? He switched loyalties. You can tell he is no demagogue, for when he advises Absalom in the next chapter, his statements are simple and matter-of-fact. But as Absalom isn’t the rightful king, this aid is betrayal. There’s a good reason for this betrayal. That doesn’t make it right, but it does make sense.

2 Samuel 11:3 NKJV

So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

2 Samuel 23:34 NKJV

Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

Luke 16:8 NKJV

So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

Matthew 10:16 NKJV

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.