Absalom cites rebellion and David flees

2 Samuel Chapter 15

King David's son Absalom went early to the city gate every morning with a chariot, horses and fifty footmen running ahead of him. As each person's case was brought to the king for judgment, Absalom would question the person and ask which tribe they were from. Then he would tell them that their case seemed strong and it was too bad the king didn't hear it and he added, "I wish I were the judge, then people could bring their problems to me and I would give them justice!" He did not let the people bow before him, but instead took them by the hand and embraced them. In this way, he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.

After four years, Absalom asked his father the king to let him go to Hebron and offer sacrifices to the Lord in fulfillment of a vow that he made while in Geshur. He had promised the sacrifice if God would bring him back to Jerusalem. King David agreed for him to go.

At Hebron Absalom sent a secret message to every part of Israel to stir up rebellion against the king. His message said that as soon as the people heard the trumpets, they would know that Absalom was crowned king in Hebron. He had two hundred Jerusalem men with him, but they knew nothing of his plot. While he offered sacrifices, he sent for David's couselor Ahithophel and soon many others joined the conspiracy.

When a messenger came to Jerusalem to tell David of the conspiracy, he urged his men to flee with him before Absalom arrived, then perhaps the city would be saved the disaster. So he and his household set out at once and left behind only 10 of his concubines to keep the palace in order. David's group paused at the edge of the city to let his troops move past and lead the way. There were six hundred Gittites along with the king's bodyguard. David told Ittai the leader of the Gittites that his men need not come along because they were guests in a foreign country. But Ittai said he vowed to the Lord that he would go wherever David went. So David allowed him to come along and there was deep sadness throughout the land as the king and his followers passed by. They crossed the Kidron Valley and went out to the wilderness.

Abiathar and Zadok and the Levites took the Ark of the Covenant of God and set it beside the road and offered sacrifices there till everyone had passed by. Then David instructed Zadok to take the Ark back to the city. He trusted that if God saw fit, he would bring David back to see the Ark and Tabernacle again. But if God was through with David, then God would do what was best. David further told the priest to take Abiathar and quietly return to the city and he would wait at the shallows of the Jordan River for a message from him.

As he walked, David wept and his head was covered and feet bare as a sign of mourning and all the people with him did the same. When he learned that Ahithophel was backing Absalom, David prayed that his advisor would give Absalom foolish advice. At the top of the Mount of Olives, David found Hushai the Arkite dressed in rags of mourning and wanting to accompany David. But he was told to go back to Jerusalem and tell Absalom, "I will now be your adviser, just as I was your father's adviser in the past. Then you can frustrate and counter Ahithophel's advise. Tell Zadock and Abiathar the plans that are being made to capture me, and they will send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to find me and tell me what is going on. So David's friend Hushai returned to Jerusalem just as Absalom arrived.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: David wrote several psalms during the days of Absalom's rebellion. Some are: Psalm 39, 41,555,61,63. Absalom went to the city gate of Jerusalem to steal the hearts of the people with his good looks, embraces and concern for justice. The city gate was like a shopping center and city hall combined and a perfect place to practice politics.
Had David not escaped, he would have been killed as well as many innocent people. It took just as much courage for him to not make a stand, as it did to fight.
We wonder why David didn't just crush this rebellion? It could have been because it was so widespread, or that he didn't want Jerusalem destroyed, or because he still cared for his son and didn't want to hurt him. It looked like David planned to return because he left many of his concubines behind to care for the palace. David had many loyal non-Israelites who came to Jerusalem on friendly terms. He also had the loyalty of the Levites.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Absalom was a charismatic leader who swayed the people, yet he was a master politician. Can you find people in politics today who fit the same mold? We must be very careful to see beyond the charisma and find that sometimes these people wear a mask of corruption and deception. Some of them just hunger for power and do not make good decisions for the people. In these times, we need to have leaders who are not afraid to voice their belief in God and who can show us good moral judgment. Pray for our current leaders and those who aspire to be the leaders of our future. Pray that God will shape them and guide them.

Yours in Christ,
Mary


Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Update on Lori: she sheds her back brace soon and can drive. She thanks God for healing her. Please continue to pray for her during recovery. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home from the hospital and having rehab for the paralysis on one side of her body. Continue to pray for her recovery.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She has shed the feeding tube and is taking formula on her own! But breathing problems are still with her, though improving all the time. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. She has been moved to a St. Louis hospital.
Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake,those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.