2 Samuel 15
-Absalom begins his rebellion in this chapter filled with
intrigue and division within David’s family. The text begins with Absalom providing
for himself a chariot with horses and fifty runners who went before him. He was
becoming more and more militaristic, much like he’d seen in his father’s
culture. He won over the hearts of the common people of Israel by rising early
and standing in the gate of the city of Jerusalem to persuade those who were
coming to the king for a judgment. He would call himself their “servant” and
tell them that their “claims were good and right.” But, he would defame his
father’s government by insisting that “no man listens to you on the part of the
king.” He would inform them that he would make a much better leader as the
judge over this land. He was the self-proclaimed man of justice in the society.
When people would come to him and prostrate themselves before him, “he would
put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.” “In this manner Absalom
dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole away
the hearts of the men of Israel (2 Samuel 15:1-6).”
-After 40 years of this (some ancient versions render this 4
years, which I think is much more practical and the correct rendering), Absalom
came to his father, the king, and asked him to let him go to Hebron so that he
could pay a vow back to the LORD, which he had made in Geshur. He told him that
he had sworn to serve the LORD while he was in Geshur if he was indeed ever
brought back to Jerusalem with his family. David sent him away in peace, not
really thinking anything of it. So Absalom arose and went to Hebron, where
David had once ruled over Judah (2 Samuel 2:1-4, 5:5). From there he sent out
spies throughout all of Israel telling them that when they heard the trumpet,
they should proclaim him as their new king reigning from Hebron. 200 men went
innocently from Jerusalem with Absalom without knowing anything about this
conspiracy to coup. Ahithophel the Gilonite, who was David’s own counselor, was
summoned from his city of Giloh while he was offering sacrifices unto the LORD.
The Bible tells us that this “conspiracy was strong, for the people increased
continually with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:7-12).” The demonic spirit of deception
was at work, and the people followed along blindly.
-A messenger soon came to David and let him know that “the
hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” David knew that their only hope
was to arise and flee. He had been on the run certainly before in his life; he
knew the routine all too well. Now he was a king in exile paying the
consequences for past sins. He knew that the sword was coming against them in
powerful and unmerciful force. He chose to vacate for the numbers against him
were insurmountable. Discretion is the better part of valor. He realized the
city would be overtaken quickly with great and violent calamity erupting in
Jerusalem. So he departed eastward with full support of his servants, the
priests, and the rest of his household. He only left 10 concubines behind to keep
his house. A large number of supporters from different people groups left with
him that had been loyal to him through the years. There is a touching episode
with Ittai the Gittite who responded with compassion and dedication in
following the king. While all the country who supported David were weeping with
a loud voice, they passed over with the king through the Kidron valley that
separates Jerusalem and Mount Zion from the Mount of Olives as one goes towards
the wilderness (desert) in the east. Zadok and all the Levites came carrying
the Ark of the Covenant of God, and they set it down until Abiathar came up as
all the people had finished passing from the city. But the king instructed the
religious leaders to return to the city with the Ark. He told them frankly, “If
I find favor in the sight of the LORD, then He will bring me back again and
show me both it and His habitation. But if He says thus, ‘I have no delight in
you,’ behold, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.” He then sent
Zadok back as a seer in peace with his son, Ahimaaz, as well as Abiathar and
his son, Jonathan. David would go to the fords of the wilderness to wait for a
word from them who could report from Jerusalem. Therefore, the Ark returned to
Jerusalem under the watchcare of Zadok and Abiathar and remained there. David
went up to the ascent of the Mount of Olives and wept as he went. His head was
covered in shame and he walked barefoot as a broken-contrite man. All the
people who were with him did the same thing covering their heads and weeping as
they went. A tragic lamentation. It was at this time that someone came up to
the king and told him, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.”
David’s reply was classic, “O LORD, I pray, make the counsel of Ahithophel
foolishness.” And then it happened as David was coming to the summit of the
Mount of Olives, where God was worshipped, that Hushai the Archite met him with
his coat torn and dust all over his head from mourning. David devised a plan
with Hushai at this juncture. He told him, “If you pass over with me, then you
will be a burden to me. But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I
will be your servant,’ then you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me.”
Then he let his spy know that the faithful Zadok and Abiathar were remaining there
in Jerusalem with him, and that they could send their sons, Ahimaaz and
Jonathan, to tell him all that was going on from the capital. “So Hushai, David’s
friend, came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem (2 Samuel
15:13-37).” The plot thickens.
-*Application* Loyalty and betrayal are the prominent themes
from this Scripture today. Our allegiances will end up defining us as they did
with the characters that we read about here. David’s recourse was always to
Someone higher, more profound, wiser, and in more control. He was resigned to
the Master. His brokenness shows us that pride makes excuses, while humility
makes adjustments. This is a lesson for us to learn as well.
Verses to Memorize:
2 Samuel 15:6, 30-31, 37
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