Absalom Rebels II Samuel 15

II Samuel 15:4 "Absalom said moreover, Oh that I wee made judge in the land that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!"

Refer to Judges 9 particularly verses 29 and 38.

Absalom waited and played politics at the gate of the city. He promised the people to take care of their conflicts. Of course, we know that in and conflict someone is wrong and another is right, so promising all to get favor was deceptive. But Absalom stood at the gate early in the mornings and pandered the people.

Gradually, he won them over. There came a day when he felt he was strong enough to take over, then he went to Hebron and declared himself ruler. He was so strong and so many followed him that it forced David to flee for his life. Absalom is the son of the daughter of Geshur, a place David invaded and where Absalom went during his flight after killing Amnon.

v2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel."

You get the picture. 'Hi there. Where are you from?'

There are a few things wrong with how Absalom assumed power. First of all it was not ordained of God. Secondly, he lied at the outset to cover his move to Hebron.

v8 "For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria saying If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD."

I don't know if he vowed a vow or not but he lied in that paying a vow was not his purpose for going to Hebron. It was a way to go without making David suspicious.

So Absalom gathered some important people of the kingdom to give his move creditability and the deed was done.

v13 "And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. v14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart lest he overtake us suddenly and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword."

David was an old warrior. He knew the importance of speed and of making strategic moves. He left not only to save himself and his servants but to avoid having Jerusalem besieged and damaged.

David sorted out the people. Most went with him but some were sent back to be spies. Some were sent back because they would slow down their flight. The ark was sent back to Jerusalem.

v25 "And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it and his habitation: v26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee, behold here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him."

David had faith that he would be back in Jerusalem if it was the LORD's will. He was content to die if not.

v30 "And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet and wept as he went up and had his head covered and he went barefoot, and all the people that was with him covered every man his head and they went up weeping as they went up."

We can see the likeness of David's journey here, after he was rejected as king, with the journey of Christ after his rejection. In verse 23 David crossed the brook Kidron, in verse 30 he ascended Mount Olivet.

v37 "So Hushai David's friend, came into the city and Absalom came into Jerusalem."

Keywords: Old Old Story, Bible Study, Old Testament, Samuel, David, Absalom,Milton Southerland. Absalom takes the kingdom from David.