Heart Message #2
How Absalom Turned A Nation Against King David (Part 2)
Absalom murdered his half brother for the rape of his sister Tamar. He fled Israel. Returning after 3 years, he waited 2 more to see his father in what appears to be reconciliation. Soon after, however, Absalom began his plot to take over the kingdom from his father King David by a cunning plan of amassing political and military strength.
Though David’s sin allowed the “sword” to enter his household, the methods Absalom used to manipulate a population are worth studying.
Jesus said before his crucifixion that the prince of this world is coming and he has no hold on me. John 14:30 As Absalom began to manipulate the population of Israel, there were many worldly holds for him to exploit, ripe & ready to be manipulated. PERSONAL BEAUTY
We are attracted to beauty. If someone has the look, they start off with favorable ratings, having done nothing more than to appear.
In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him 2 Sam. 14:25 A SHOW OF POWER
We (fallen humans) are attracted to confidence and displays of power.
Now it came about after this that Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him. 2 Sam 15:1 EXPLOITING RESENTMENT
We love people who seem to validate our claims of justice and victim-hood.
Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way to the gate; and when any man had a suit to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, "From what city are you?" And he would say, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel." Then Absalom would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king." 2 Sam. 15:2,3 EXPLOITING MISERY
Absalom was shamelessly ‘using’ the suffering within others for his own purposes, implicitly promising relief “if only he had the power”.
Moreover, Absalom would say, " Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice." 2 Sam 15:4
FLATTERY
We like people who compliment and build us up, and there is nothing wrong with giving honor to whom honor is due, but Absalom became an over the top smooth talker.
And when a man came near to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 2 Sam 15:5
A VOID OF SOCIAL JUSTICE
Absalom exploited a void of justice left by David, who was absent, and not providing any leadership to deal with the civil concerns of his people.
In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel. PHONY RELIGIOSITY
Absalom did anything but ‘go in peace’. Like the Pharisees, he put on a religious show to impress others. Perhaps he was trying to out-righteous his father.
Now it came about at the end of forty years that Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron. "For your servant vowed a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram, saying, ' If the LORD shall indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.'" The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron. 1 Sam 15:7-9 PEER PRESSURE
Absalom used the fear of man to persuade others to go along. He created a sudden sense of finality about seizing power by making noise and hiring bold persuasive loud mouths to proclaim the seizing of power in the past tense.
Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, 'Absalom is king in Hebron.' " 2 Sam 15:10 MASS MANIPULATION
In our fallen world, numbers bring credibility to any endeavor; it is a strong temptation to judge God’s approval based on how many others are present. Of course many people can be deceived, and God save by many or by few. The amount of people involved in anything means only that those people are there. It is never proof of the justness of any cause.
Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, who were invited and went innocently, and they did not know anything.
APPARENT WISDOM
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom. 1 Sam 15:12
While Absalom was showing off his piety, he called for the man who was closest to King David, his trusted and wise counselor Ahithophel. This was decisive since the reputation of Ahithophel was spotless.
Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel's advice. 2 Sam 16:23
But if Ahithophel was so wise, why did he join Absalom’s rebellion? Perhaps his wisdom was clouded by deep & bitter resentments, privately held against the man of God he served. Perhaps Ahithophel could not keep his own heart clean but bore a secret rage. Compare 2 Sam 11:3 & 2 Sam23:34 for one possible source of abiding unforgiveness. CONCLUSION
In the end however, the first cause of this rebellion was David’s sin, which brought a sword into his household 2 Sam 12:10,11 Yet, David was repentant (Psalm 51) and the call of God remained upon his life. The Messiah Jesus will still sit upon the throne of David. God did not abandon him but redeemed the sin of David and used it to show the power of his forgiveness.
Absalom was overthrown, his plot was destroyed, and he died in disgrace.
When an Absalom is stirring up strife and manipulating the unfinished business in the hearts of people, it is our own responsibility to guard our hearts with all diligence and not be taken in by shameless exploitation of worldly desires. It is also our responsibility to hold our leaders accountable. Many might not confront a gifted leader for fear of being an Absalom. None of us need be an Absalom by stirring up strife in secret. None of us need be manipulated by an Absalom, listening to divisiveness in secret.
It is our responsibility to walk in the light, to confront in the light, and to also cleanse our hearts of bitter resentments by walking in forgiveness.
Church splits happen. But we don’t have to be a part of it.
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