SCRIPTURE: 2 SAMUEL 15
ABSALOM’S CONSPIRACY (vs. 1-12)
Absalom wanted to become the king of Israel by pretending to be very concerned towards people who wanted to seek justice. He would reach out his hand for anyone who would approached him in order to steal the hearts of the Israelites. At the end of four years, he told his father King David that he wanted to go to Hebron and fulfill a vow that he would worship the Lord in Hebron if he was taken back to Jerusalem. So the king told him to go in peace.
When Absalom went to Hebron, he sent secret messenger through the tribe of Israel to say: “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say: “Absalom is the king in Hebron” (v. 10) Two hundred men had been invited as guest to accompany Absalom but they know nothing about the matter. Absalom also invited David’s counselor Ahithophel to come. So the conspiracy gained strength. And Absalom’s following kept on increasing.
DAVID FLEES (vs. 13-37)
A messenger informed David that the hearts of the men of Israel were with Absalom. Upon knowing this, David told all his officials with him in Jerusalem to flee and escape from Absalom. So, the king set out with his entire household but he left 10 concubines to take care of the palace. The men that followed the king were the Kerethites, Pelethites and 600 Gittites. The David told Ittai the Gittite who was a foreigner and an exile to go back. But Ittai told the king that whether it means life or death, they will follow him.
Zadok and all the Levites were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city. Then David told Zadok the priest to take the ark of God back into the city in peace. David were at the fords in the desert until he received words from Zadok to inform him what the Lord said. So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
David continued up the Mount of Olives and had been told that Ahithophel, his counselor was among the conspirators with Absalom. So David prayed to the Lord to turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness. When David arrived at the summit, Hushai the Arkite met him with torn robe and dust on his head. David told him to go back to be the servant of Absalom so that he could help him frustrate Ahithophel’s advice. So Hushai went back to Jerusalem.
THOUGHTS:
Absalom deceived people through flattery and lies. Many were fooled and switched their allegiance to him. We need to evaluate our leaders to make sure that their charisma are not a mask to cover up graft, corruption, deception or hunger for power and money.,
Absalom openly criticized his father and built up a loyal group of followers and secretly stole the hearts of the people. He wanted to steal the crown from his father. This proved that David had no disciplining influence on his own family. To all parents, discipline should always start at home if you want peace in the family.
Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathseba and David’s counselor who joined the rebellion of Absalom. But David’s servants were loyal to him. Ittai was a foreigner but he stayed with David. It is during crises that will reveal to us who our loyal friends are.