1 Chronicles 27:25-34: a reflection

25Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel. Over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub. 27Over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite. Over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28Over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite. Over the cellars of oil was Joash. 29Over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite. Over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. 30Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite. Over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. 31All these were the rulers of the property which was King David’s. 32Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons. 33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. 34After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was the captain of the king’s army.

In the records of David's officials, alongside those set over his lands and treasures, come two figures worth noting: Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend. Even David, the king, had need of wise counsel and of a faithful friend at his side. A counselor to advise him in his decisions, and a friend to stand with him, were part of what sustained him. The king did not stand alone; he was surrounded by counselors to guide him and a friend to be near him. Wise counsel and a faithful friend were a support even to the king.

Notice the value placed on wise counsel and a faithful friend. David had a counselor to advise him, and a friend to stand at his side; these were named among those who served him, as important in their way as those who managed his lands and treasures. Even the king needed counsel to guide his decisions and a friend to be near him; he did not rule in isolation, but was sustained by wise advice and faithful friendship. The counselor and the friend were a real support to the king, part of what steadied and helped him. Wise counsel and a faithful friend are not luxuries but supports we genuinely need.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too need wise counsel and faithful friendship, and do well to value them. We can try to go it alone, making our decisions in isolation, without seeking counsel or valuing friendship; but even David the king had a counselor to guide him and a friend at his side. Wise counsel helps us decide well, and a faithful friend steadies and sustains us; both are supports we genuinely need. Do not try to go it alone, without wise counsel or faithful friendship; value them, as even the king had a counselor and a friend. Seek wise counsel for your decisions and value the faithful friends at your side, not trying to go it alone, as David the king had his counselor and his friend; for wise counsel and faithful friendship are real supports we need, and we are not meant to stand in isolation but to be helped by the counsel and friendship God provides.

Lord, in the records of David's officials, alongside those set over his lands and treasures, come two figures worth noting: Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend. Even David, the king, had need of wise counsel and of a faithful friend at his side. A counselor to advise him in his decisions, and a friend to stand with him, were part of what sustained him. The king did not stand alone. Show me the value placed on wise counsel and a faithful friend. David had a counselor to advise him, and a friend to stand at his side; these were named among those who served him. Even the king needed counsel to guide his decisions and a friend to be near him; he did not rule in isolation. The counselor and the friend were a real support to the king. Wise counsel and a faithful friend are not luxuries but supports we genuinely need. Take that to my heart, for I too need wise counsel and faithful friendship, and do well to value them. I can try to go it alone, making my decisions in isolation, without seeking counsel or valuing friendship; but even David the king had a counselor and a friend. Wise counsel helps me decide well, and a faithful friend steadies me. Keep me from trying to go it alone, without wise counsel or faithful friendship; help me value them, Lord, as even the king had a counselor and a friend, and seek wise counsel for my decisions and treasure the faithful friends at my side.