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2 Samuel 15:31-32

³¹Now David had been told, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." So David prayed, "O LORD, turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness." ³²When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head.

As David abandoned Jerusalem, he covered his head and went barefoot to the top of the Mount of Olives. His counselor Ahithophel had gone over to Absalom's side. On the way up the mountain he prayed that Ahithophel's counsel would be turned into foolishness.

As David reached the top, he saw Hushai. His torn clothing and dust on his head indicated his deep grief at what was happening. Hushai was one of David's counselors also. Being an elderly man, he could not travel quickly like David's men. David realized his prayer had been answered. He sent Hushai back into Jerusalem to oppose the counsel of Ahithophel. It was a dangerous assignment, but he took it as a willing servant of the king.

We pray and God often speedily answers. If we are not watching and expecting the answer to be sent, we will miss it. The answer to David's prayer was not as he might have imagined, neither is God's answer to many of our prayers. That is why we must be alert and attune to the Spirit, expectantly looking for the answer. This prayer of David and God's immediate answer turned the whole course of the future and was a factor in the saving his house and throne.

Consider: Don't miss God's answers to prayers prompted by the Holy Spirit.