Absalom Rebels Against David
July 13, 2022
Commentary
In order to show himself in a position of authority, Absalom provides himself a “chariot of horses” and “men to run ahead of him” (vv. 1-6). His plan was to in a simple and subtle way establish himself as a leader of the people of Israel. Early each morning he would position himself along the main road leading to Jerusalem. This was where disgruntled citizens were expected to bring their complaints to a person of royal position. When the person is asked what town he is from and from what tribe of Israel Absalom will assure that person that he has the authority to hear the case. Absalom then suggests that if he is appointed judge he will personally see to it that justice is served. He implies that he himself and not King David, is best suited to provide them with justice. Thus Absalom “stole the hearts” of the men of Israel.
After Absalom has lived in Jerusalem for four years he decides that it is time for him to seize the kingdom (vv. 7-12). As a way of masking his true intentions he asks David for permission to go to Hebron (Where David was first appointed king) to fulfill a vow that he had made to the Lord. David, apparently unsuspecting, tells his son to “go in peace.” Absalom then sends out “secret messengers” to the various tribal territories to tell them that at the “sound of the trumpet” he is to be declared king of Israel. A large group of men from Jerusalem, unsuspecting of Absalom’s true intentions, has accompanied him to Hebron. He then gets Ahithophel, one of David’s own counselors to join him. It is therefore understandable that as Bathsheba’s grandfather he was an enemy of David. This evil alliance of Absalom’s ambition and Ahithophel’s advice causes Absalom’s following to increase.
Application
The hunger for power and authority causes men to do all sorts of things to climb the “so called ladder of success.” If we are already in the center of God’s will we can never climb to a higher position. It has been my desire to reach people with the Gospel of Christ and I seek no other position. I love ministering to youth and want to do that as long as I possibly can.
2 Samuel 15:1– 12 (NET)
1 Some time later Absalom managed to acquire a chariot and horses, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard. 2 Now Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate. Whenever anyone came by who had a complaint to bring to the king for arbitration, Absalom would call out to him, “What city are you from?” The person would answer, “I, your servant, am from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3 Absalom would then say to him, “Look, your claims are legitimate and appropriate. But there is no representative of the king who will listen to you.” 4 Absalom would then say, “If only they would make me a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement.”
5 When someone approached to bow before him, Absalom would extend his hand and embrace him and kiss him. 6 Absalom acted this way toward everyone in Israel who came to the king for justice. In this way Absalom won the loyalty of the citizens of Israel.
7 After four years Absalom said to the king, “Let me go and repay my vow that I made to the Lord while I was in Hebron. 8 For I made this vow when I was living in Geshur in Aram: ‘If the Lord really does allow me to return to Jerusalem, I will serve the Lord.’” 9 The king replied to him, “Go in peace.” So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.
10 Then Absalom sent spies through all the tribes of Israel who said, “When you hear the sound of the horn, you may assume that Absalom rules in Hebron.” 11 Now 200 men had gone with Absalom from Jerusalem. Since they were invited, they went naively and were unaware of what Absalom was planning. 12 While he was offering sacrifices, Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s adviser, to come from his city, Giloh. The conspiracy was gaining momentum, and the people were starting to side with Absalom.
Illustration: Men Put Money in an Elderly Man’s Casket
An elderly man was desperately ill. Attending him were his doctor, his pastor and his business manager. The old man said, I’m giving you each an envelope containing $100,000. When I die, I want you each to slip the envelope in my jacket pocket at the funeral service. Then, if I need money in the life to come, I’ll be ready. Shortly thereafter, the man did die. Each of his three friends was seen slipping something into the old man’s coat pocket. Later these friends were visiting with each other, the doctor, with a sheepish look on his face, said, “Guys, I have a confession to make. You know with the cost of medicine today, I don’t make that much money. So, I took $20,000 and put the rest in the coffin.” The minister looked down at his shoes and said, “I, too, have a confession to make. Our church is seriously overburdened by the needs of the homeless. So, in hopes of helping the homeless, I took $50,000 out of the envelope and put the rest in his pocket.” Looking sternly at the doctor and the minister, the businessman exclaimed, “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I am astonished and deeply disappointed that you would treat a solemn trust so casually. He was our friend. I want you to know that I placed in his casket my personal check for the full $100,000.” (From Sins We Love, by Randy Rowland, p. 125-126)