Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 135 of the Bible in a Year podcast, reading from 2 Samuel 17, 1 Chronicles 22, and Psalm 36. Using The Great Adventure Bible Timeline framework and the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, he guides listeners through the unfolding story of salvation.

The episode covers the political intrigue surrounding Absalom's rebellion, as competing counselors Ahithophel and Hushai offer conflicting military strategies. David's spy Hushai successfully manipulates Absalom's vanity to protect the king, while Ahithophel's superior tactical advice is rejected.

The narrative shifts to David's preparations for Solomon's temple, establishing the centralization of worship that will define Jewish religious practice. David's insistence on purchasing the temple site reflects his understanding that meaningful faith requires personal investment and sacrifice.

The Battle of Counselors: Ahithophel vs Hushai

Ahithophel proposed a swift strike with 12,000 men to kill David alone, promising 'I will bring all the people to you as a bride comes home to her husband'

Hushai countered by appealing to Absalom's vanity, arguing that Absalom should personally lead 'all Israel from Dan to Beersheba' to prove his worthiness as king

The text reveals 'the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom'

Ahithophel 'set his house in order and hanged himself' after recognizing that Hushai's advice would lead to David's victory and his own fate as a traitor

David's Temple Preparations and the Cost of Faith

David designated Mount Moriah as the temple site, insisting on purchasing Ornan's threshing floor rather than accepting it as a gift

Father Mike explains David's principle: 'A religion that doesn't cost us anything or Christianity following Christ that doesn't cost us anything is only going to go so deep'

David amassed massive resources for Solomon: '100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver and bronze and iron beyond weighing'

God told David 'You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me upon the earth'

Centralized Worship and the Temple's Significance

The temple will establish centralized worship where 'you have many synagogues, but only one temple' for sacrifice

This connects to Jesus's conversation with the Samaritan woman about worship 'in spirit and in truth' as a foreshadowing of Mass

Father Mike draws the parallel that baptized Christians are 'temples of the Holy Spirit' called to be 'worthy of the Lord God'

Divine Justice and Mercy in Psalm 36

The psalm contrasts the wicked who have 'no fear of God before his eyes' with God's mercy that 'extends to the heavens'

Father Mike prays that God shows himself 'a God of justice and mercy in your one heart, as you are one God'

The psalm declares 'with you is the fountain of life. In your light do we see light'