Putting Off Bitterness
By Dr. Roger Vogel

         Most of us are probably aware of the destructive power of bitterness in the human heart.  We may have experienced it ourselves or we may have seen it in others.  Hebrews 12:15 warns us to be ‘looking carefully… lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this, many become defiled.”
  Unforgiveness is the soil in which bitterness especially thrives.  It is no accident that in Ephesians 4:31-32 the putting off of bitterness and forgiveness are linked.  Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
  In II Samuel we have a classic example of bitterness growing up in a heart due to an unforgiving spirit.
  In II Samuel 11 David commits adultery and murder.  In II Samuel 12, God’s prophet rebukes David, and David is repentant.  In II Samuel 13, even though David’s sin is forgiven, it has consequences as members of his family commit rape, incest, and murder.  In II Samuel 14 &15, Absalom plots to overthrow his father David.  He sets his coup in motion in II Samuel 15:10-12.  Part of his strategy is to get a man named Ahithophel on his side (vs. 12).  Ahithophel was one of David’s counselors.  In fact, II Samuel 16:23 tells us he was of David’s trusted inner-circle of counselors.  Many commentators believe David spoke of Ahithophel in Psalm 55:12-14.  For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him.  But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance.  We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.
In II Samuel 15:12, Ahithophel readily joins Absalom’s rebellion and lends credibility to his claim.  After David flees Jerusalem, Ahithophel enters Jerusalem with Absalom—II Samuel 16:15.
  Once in the city, Absalom asks Ahithophel what they should do—II Samuel 16:20-21.  Ahithophel gives him two recommendations. The first designed to disgrace David—II Samuel 16:21-23. The second designed to destroy David—II Samuel 7:1-4.
  The question that comes to our mind is why did Ahithophel turn on David and plot to actually personally destroy him?  I believe the Scriptures give us the answer.
  II Samuel 11:3 tells us Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam. 
II Samuel 23:24 tells us Eliam was the son of Ahithophel.  So, Bathsheba was the granddaughter of Ahithophel.  As David’s trusted advisor, Ahithophel would know all the workings of the court.  He sees David take his granddaughter and treat her like a plaything.  He sees David orchestrate the murder of his granddaughter’s husband.  He sees the family ruined, and then, Bathsheba’s first child also dies.
  No wonder Ahithophel is angry at David.  For about nine years his anger has been festering and growing into bitterness.  This bitterness ate at Ahithophel until he couldn’t wait to get back at David.  His bitterness literally “ate him alive”.

 

This is an example of what can happen if we allow bitterness to grow in our hearts.  We must practice Ephesians 4:31-32 to avoid being destroyed by bitterness.  Put away bitterness by replacing it with kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiving one another “even as” God in Christ forgave us.