2 Samuel 15:1-6
Absalom was in line for the throne, but he was impatient. He sought the authority and honor that came with being king; yet forgot that along with that should come integrity and character. Absalom was apparently a good looking guy of stature that caught the eye of everyone. He started politicking at the gate and started to win people over; his subtle comments stirred up the public against the current king while placing him as the solution to the problem. This is a classic case of blowing out someone's candle in hopes of making your shine brighter. We would relate these actions at the gate to a politician shaking hands and kissing babies. Absalom put himself in front of the people; stated a problem and made himself the solution. This was the beginning of usurping the power of the king.
We have an enemy that does the same, always usurping the power of Jesus. We see problems in life and the enemy provides a solution that seems comfortable and easy in contrast to the Lord's way. While David was flawed and sin and affected his reign, we need to be aware that our king, Jesus, is looking out for us and His rule and reign is always right.
2 Samuel 15:7-12
The forty years might be Absalom's age while others believe it should read four years and is a textual error. It had been 4 years since Absalom's return to Jerusalem. The point is the same, some time passed and this conspiracy was grown at the hand of Absalom. If we step back from this for a moment and see how David is a type of Christ; we see Absalom as a type of Anti-Christ. He's function is usurping the power of the king, deceiving and leading people astray.
Absalom was a patient only in his conniving to politic and build this resentment toward his father all over the land. He showed the same patience when he was finding an opportunity to kill Amnon, it took 2 years. Absalom sets the stage for his departure and gets some of David's servants to go with him. This adds credibility to him while harming David's credibility. What caused this wise counselor Ahithophel to depart from David? We shouldn't forget he was Bathsheba's grandfather.
Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me (Psalm 41:9).
2 Samuel 15:13-29
When David gets word that Absalom is the favored among the people, he packs up and flees. This doesn't sound like the man of war, the mighty David, conqueror and slayer of giants. But David says he doesn't want the city to be put to the sword, he doesn't appear to be as worried about himself. As they are fleeing he tries to send Ittai back since he is a foreigner. This pledge of loyalty in verse 21 had to be meaningful to him. It might have also reminded him of the pledge of Uriah.
Have you pledged your loyaly to your Lord and King? Will you follow wherever He will lead you?
David sent the ark back, having already learned that lesson some time back. He knows that he is experiencing the judgment and punishment for his sin. He knows it is all in God's hands. He knows that the presence of the ark doesn't guarantee that God would be with him; that was a matter dealt with in the heart of each person. How many times do we rely on a trinket or a symbol of God and not relationship, seeking of righteousness and holiness?
The people passed into the wilderness (see Psalm 63).
2 Samuel 15:30-37
David is weeping and walking barefoot up the Mount of Olives suffering from the affects of sin. This is an attitude of mourning. David takes his mourning over sin to the Lord and worships him in spite of all that is going on. We can certainly learn from this. Jesus walked this same path as he faced the physical and spiritual burden of the sins of mankind. He went to the Mount of Olives and wept and prayed and worshiped God as he began to bear the sins of men.
When David finds that Ahithophel is with Absalom he prays that God will make his counsel foolishness. Hushai pays tribute to David but David ask him to go back and be a counselor to Absalom and report all that is happening to Zadok.
©2016 Doug Ford
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