Absalom could have been the rightful heir to the throne despite his killing of Amnon, his half-brother. He fled but King David, his father, loved him and arranged for his return. This planted the seed of future sedition.
The author of Samuels did not hide his disgust at Absalom's ambition. Immediately after his return, Absalom surrounded himself with majestic pomp.
After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him (2 Samuel 15:1).
Chariots, horses and fifty men to run in the front were mentioned only twice in the Bible, Absalom and Adonijah (1 King 1:5). Both were failed contenders to the throne and were killed.
Absalom was more sophisticated. He tried to woo the hearts of the people over to him. He intercepted people seeking justice from King David, assuring them that their cases were good and right and it was a pity that nobody acted as their advocate.
Absalom would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right; but there is no man deputed by the king to hear you."
Absalom said moreover, "Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a suit or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice." (2 Samuel 15:3-4)
At the end of four years, Absalom asked David for leave to offer sacrifice in Hebron. In fact, he went to dispatch secret messengers to spread rumour all over Israel that Absalom proclaimed king in Hebron (2 Samuel 15:7-10).
If you wondered how people could be so naive as to believe in rumours, let us not forget bank runs. Bank runs take place because of a lack of information or a blockage in the flow of information. A little rumour on the Internet spreads easily like wild fire and snowballs quickly into a financial crisis. In David's time when communication took a lot longer and information was more difficult to verify, rumour could be a very effective weapon to fight against a mighty rival.
After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him (2 Samuel 15:1).
Chariots, horses and fifty men to run in the front were mentioned only twice in the Bible, Absalom and Adonijah (1 King 1:5). Both were failed contenders to the throne and were killed.
Absalom was more sophisticated. He tried to woo the hearts of the people over to him. He intercepted people seeking justice from King David, assuring them that their cases were good and right and it was a pity that nobody acted as their advocate.
Absalom would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right; but there is no man deputed by the king to hear you."
Absalom said moreover, "Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a suit or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice." (2 Samuel 15:3-4)
At the end of four years, Absalom asked David for leave to offer sacrifice in Hebron. In fact, he went to dispatch secret messengers to spread rumour all over Israel that Absalom proclaimed king in Hebron (2 Samuel 15:7-10).
If you wondered how people could be so naive as to believe in rumours, let us not forget bank runs. Bank runs take place because of a lack of information or a blockage in the flow of information. A little rumour on the Internet spreads easily like wild fire and snowballs quickly into a financial crisis. In David's time when communication took a lot longer and information was more difficult to verify, rumour could be a very effective weapon to fight against a mighty rival.
When a messenger reported the situation to David, he might have exaggerated a bit. But David did not take any chances. He fled!
And a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom."
Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee; or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom; go in haste, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword." (2 Samuel 15:13-14)
Why did David flee? Why did he avoid a direct conflict with Absalom? Was David too old to fight against Absalom, his own son? Did David so loved Absalom that he did not want to kill him? Was David merciful and not unwilling to see bloodshed among his subjects in Jerusalem? No.
If David was too old to fight in battles, he had his mercenaries. There is no doubt about David's love of this son (2 Samuel 13:39). Perhaps he even wished Absalom would be the next king. But that doesn't explain the arrangements he made.
He made a sensational departure, shedding a lot of his own tears and the tears of the people. He wanted to win back people's heart.
When the priests, the Levites carried the Ark to follow him, David sent them back. The Ark should stay and be worshipped by the rightful king. Let God decide.
Then the king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his habitation." (2 Samuel 15:25)
The priests would be David's informers, telling him every move of Absalom. David knew he was fighting an information war.
His counsellor, Ahithophel had switched allegiance. David prayed to God that the advice of Ahithophel would turn to foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31).
David needed more ammunition. He planted his loyal friend Hushai the Archite next to Ahithophel to make sure Ahithophel's advice backfired.
Now, Absalom had a bad adviser at his side and was surrounded by David's informers. David had done whatever he could muster to ensure his own victory. There was no need for God to decide. Absalom was doomed. Still, let God decide.
And a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom."
Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee; or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom; go in haste, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword." (2 Samuel 15:13-14)
Why did David flee? Why did he avoid a direct conflict with Absalom? Was David too old to fight against Absalom, his own son? Did David so loved Absalom that he did not want to kill him? Was David merciful and not unwilling to see bloodshed among his subjects in Jerusalem? No.
If David was too old to fight in battles, he had his mercenaries. There is no doubt about David's love of this son (2 Samuel 13:39). Perhaps he even wished Absalom would be the next king. But that doesn't explain the arrangements he made.
He made a sensational departure, shedding a lot of his own tears and the tears of the people. He wanted to win back people's heart.
When the priests, the Levites carried the Ark to follow him, David sent them back. The Ark should stay and be worshipped by the rightful king. Let God decide.
Then the king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his habitation." (2 Samuel 15:25)
The priests would be David's informers, telling him every move of Absalom. David knew he was fighting an information war.
His counsellor, Ahithophel had switched allegiance. David prayed to God that the advice of Ahithophel would turn to foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31).
David needed more ammunition. He planted his loyal friend Hushai the Archite next to Ahithophel to make sure Ahithophel's advice backfired.
Now, Absalom had a bad adviser at his side and was surrounded by David's informers. David had done whatever he could muster to ensure his own victory. There was no need for God to decide. Absalom was doomed. Still, let God decide.
Dear Lord, it is sad to see how David killed his beloved son Absalom. His sin spilt. Deliver us Lord from the sins of our fathers'. Deliver my children Lord from the sins of mine. Amen.
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