Day 135: The Counsel of Hushai (2026)

On Day 135 of 'The Bible in a Year' podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores 2 Samuel 17, 1 Chronicles 22, and Psalm 36, highlighting themes of divine wisdom, loyalty, and sacred worship. The episode centers on the dramatic contrast between Ahithophel’s ruthless strategy to assassinate King David and Hushai’s cunning, emotionally intelligent counsel that appeals to Absalom’s vanity and ambition. Hushai’s advice—urging Absalom to lead a massive army in person—leads to Absalom’s downfall, as Ahithophel, recognizing the futility of his own plan, takes his own life. Fr. Mike emphasizes the spiritual significance of David’s preparations for the Temple in 1 Chronicles 22, especially David’s insistence on purchasing Ornan’s threshing floor rather than accepting it as a gift, symbolizing the cost of true devotion. This moment marks the beginning of centralized worship in Jerusalem, foreshadowing Jesus’ teaching in John 4 about worshiping God in spirit and truth. The episode concludes with a call to personal sanctification, urging listeners to become living temples of the Holy Spirit. Key takeaways include: 1) True loyalty often requires strategic wisdom and sacrifice; 2) Divine providence can turn human plans into instruments of salvation; 3) Genuine faith requires cost and commitment, not just convenience; 4) Centralized worship points to the deeper truth of spiritual presence; 5) Each believer is called to be a living temple of God’s Spirit. The tone is reflective, encouraging, and spiritually rich, with a strong emphasis on personal transformation and divine purpose.