The
Book of second Samuel
Chapter 15
[1] And it came to pass after this, that Absalom
prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
[2] 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.
[3] And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there
is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
[4] Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every
man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him
justice!
[5] And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he
put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
[6] And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for
judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
1) Absalom’s Ambition
(15:1-6)
The prodigal (Lk
15) came home humble and repentant BUT Absalom comes home burning barley
fields
Absalom prepares chariots and horse to go before
him.......lifting up self and building his image
Absalom gets up early..........................................................he
is a hard worker
Absalom stood beside the
gate.............................................he is positioning self (yet
has no experience)
Absalom looked for those who were
troubled.....................he is sympathizing with them to gain favor
He acts as if he is reaching out or shows
a personal interest
He only wants to underminethe rulership of his father
The King was the final authority w/o appeal
BUT Absalom stirs up the discontented
·
However is Absalom
living life of justice?
·
Does he pay restitution
for burning Joab’s field? (see Exodus
26 concerning the law)
No, He lives above the law. He
murdered his ½ brother and is NOW conspiring in treason
Absalom promotes
himself as the man of the people and he stole their hearts and is gaining
control for the throne
Absalom stole the hearts of the people of
Israel. He has become popular by projecting his image
The devil is the one wanting to steal and to
kill, not the Lord....Jesus came to give life
[7] And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I
pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in
Hebron.
[8] 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.
[9] And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
[10] But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As
soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth
in Hebron.
2)
Absalom’s Actions (15:7-10)
40 years later, under the guise of worship, Absalom commits treason.
David the king tells Absalom to go in peace and this is
the last words that father spoke with son
Absalom will have a trumpet sound and his followers will
cry “Absalom ruleth in Hebron”
Absalom
is acting as if this is simply kingly succession and not treason.
If
he waits for his fathers appointment it is succession. If he overtakes the
throne it is treason.
[11] And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called;
and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
[12] And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counseller, from his
city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was
strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
3)
Absalom’s Agreements (15:11-12)
200 men were called by Absalom out of Jerusalem
I don’t think they knew the whole story as to what
Absalom was doing
But in their going out it gave the impression that they
were in agreement w/ Absalom
Absalom sent for Ahithophel, David’s top adviser, and
Ahithophel defects to Absalom’s side
Ahithophels counsel was always considered as wise counsel
(II Sam 16:23)
Remember Ahithophel is Bathsheba’s grandpa and he may be
prompted by hurt & bitterness
“The conspiracy was strong”, momentum is building in
Absalom’s favor
[13] And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of
Israel are after Absalom.
[14] 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.
[15] And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready
to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
[16] And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king
left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
[17] And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a
place that was far off.
[18] And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and
all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him
from Gath, passed on before the king.
4)
Absalom’s Appointment (15:13-18)
David hears that Absalom has gained the hearts of the
people and is in increasing in power
Thus David, realizing that Absalom is ruthless and
Jerusalem will be a battleground, he flees
Absalom is now in
power, self appointed and treacherous,
yet the scripture continues to name David as king
David leaves behind 10 concubines- legal mistress (still
indulging passion instead of restraint)
These are left to keep the house and David believes they
will be safe
David’s servants, the Cherethites & Pelethites (his
bodyguard units) and the Gittites follow faithfully
In this defining moment, the foreigners and strangers are
more loyal than his own countrymen
David is watching as this procession
of loyal subjects are leaving Jerusalem (Ps3:1-8)
[19] Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with
us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and
also an exile.
[20] Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and
down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy
brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
[21] And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord
the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in
death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
[22] And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed
over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
[23] And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed
over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people
passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
5)
Absalom is Affirmed (15:19-23)
Ittai the Gittite caught David’s eye in this procession.
Ittai was a new comer & foreigner going w/David
David tells Ittai to stay and support the king (Absalom)
Ittai says I will support the king
You are my king....says Ittai.... what a demonstration of
loyalty and in doing thus denies Absalom
* We must decisively, voluntarily and publicly support
our king....the Lord Jesus Christ
David and his followers head out toward the wilderness
[24] And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of
the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up,
until all the people had done passing out of the city.
[25] 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:
[26] 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.
[27] The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into
the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the
son of Abiathar.
[28] See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word
from you to certify me.
[29] Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem:
and they tarried there.
[30] 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.
[31] And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with
Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel
into foolishness.
[32] And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount,
where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his
coat rent, and earth upon his head:
[33] Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a
burden unto me:
[34] But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy
servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now
also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
[35] And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests?
therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's
house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
[36] Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and
Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye
can hear.
[37] So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into
Jerusalem.
6)
Absalom’s Accounts (15:24-37)
The priests, Zadok and the Levites carry the ark of the
tabernacle out of Jerusalem to go with David
But David’s broken humble spirit submits to God and says
I’ll not trust the ark but I’ll trust God”
Zadok, as a prophet, and his sons are left in Jerusalem
as they can obtain valuable info for David
David goes up the Mt Olives weeping as he is suffering
for his sin (vs 23 & Jn 18:1 the brook Kidron)
Jesus would
retrace these steps (Garden of Gethsemanae) weeping as he is suffering for OUR
sin
David prays that
the counsel of Ahithophel would turn to foolishness & then worships God w/
life in danger
Hushai, another top aid is sent back to Jerusalem to
frustrate Absalom & Ahithophel(prayer&policy)
Absalom takes Jerusalem, a wicked
rebel compared to David (II Sam 5:6,7)& Jesus (Mt21:4-10)