September 13, 1992, but these are primarily personal notes from 84.
Introduction:
There are some things which, no doubt, assisted in Absalom's rebellion.
A) David's own faults: he was a very rash individual, self-indulgent, rash in arriving at conclusions (he believed the lie about Mephibosheth), suspicious and even a little vengeful. It is David's own weakness that led to the situation with Bath and his weakness continues on here with Absalom.
Even though David received complete forgiveness for the sin with Bath, it is obvious that neither he nor his kingdom completely recovered from his fall. The sin had mortally weakened David to the place that he could not confront his own children.
It was hard for David to deal correctly with the sins in his children which he had fallen victim to, immorality and murder. But he both should and could have. It is one of the glories of Christianity that we can be totally forgiven and our conscience cleared in Christ. Then we can prevent the same thing from occurring in our children. David didn't.
B) The unity of purpose for David and his kingdom had been the warfare with the enemies around him. That purpose was now over, and discontent starts to surface in his kingdom. People will tolerate a lot in times of national distress or effort.
C) Absalom's sharp eye for current events and opinions of the people.
D) According to Ps 41 & 55, David's own counselors turned
against him. Maybe it was because of the situation with Bath or
maybe because David did not take a stand against Amnon. V. 12,
Ahithophel was one of David's counselors.
Vs. 1-6, Absalom, (Father of Peace.. or Peace of his father), turns out to be the most troublesome of all David's children.
A couple of points here worth looking at:
1. 2 Sam 3:3, Absalom was the son of a heathen King's daughter, and anytime God's people are unequally yoked together with the heathen, there is going to be problems.
2. Absalom had been with the king of Geshur, a heathen king, and there he had learned all about horseman & chariots and men running before the king. (Remember book of Esther? The ones who were important in the king's court had runners.)
David had none of this. He rode a mule as did Christ as he presented Himself to Jerusalem.
Compared to Absalom, David would have been very bland.
3. the people desired a king like the heathens, and here is one in Absalom, 1 Sam 8.
4. Absalom makes a gentle inquiry about the person's feelings about the king, v. 3. Observe: when someone feels out your feelings about the pastor, you had better beware. They are setting you up for a fall.
15:2, the wise man warns about those who rise up early in the morning to do wickedness. While the rest of the king's sons slept, Absalom was out doing his dirty work.
David should have been prepared for this because Absalom never displayed a repentant spirit. We can rest assured that a person who doesn't is headed for this. A man who will never admit wrong is to be avoided, and of course, Absalom's pride is obvious, v. 1.
Here a man who had to flee for his life for fear of judgment against his murder, starts telling others how good of a judge he would be. The man who fled from justice claims to be totally committed to justice.
I know of a preacher who gives this illustration:
The preacher went into a barbershop, and as he was getting his hair cut, the barber was sympathizing with the preacher's hair loss. The barber then convinced the preacher concerning some hair tonic which would grow hair on anything. The more the barber talked, the more the preacher got excited, until finally, when the preacher was ready to leave, he bought a bottle of the tonic from the barber.
The preacher had a friend with him who was his associate pastor, and as they walked out of the barber shop, the friend was laughing so hard he couldn't stand up straight. The preacher became quite indignant about the laughter, and finally asked the friend why he was laughing so hard. The friend told him to go back and look in the barber shop. When he did, he saw that the barber whom he had bought the tonic from did not have hair on his head. The preacher poured the tonic out in the street.
5) notice how Absalom won the hearts of the people, V. 3:
Absalom was the most handsome man, the most appealing man in the kingdom, 14:25-27. He had the best personality with no outward negative points at all. He was known for his love for his sister, Tamar.
He was next in line for the crown and he fit perfectly into what the people desired in a king, 1 Sam 8:5-6.
he tells the people what they wanted to hear. He said, "Obviously, your matter is good and right, but no one sees that you are right except me."
Absalom told them they were right without even hearing the other side of the story. The people were willing to overlook the obvious evil in Absalom because he was agreeing with them.
Preachers and politicians are experts at picking up on what the people want to hear and giving it to them. They not only tell them what the people want to hear, but they give them what they want.
They say to the queers, "See, your matter is good and right. Elect me president, and I will see that you get it."
They say to the abortionist, "See, your matter is good and right. Elect me and I will see that you get it."
They say the same to the Blacks, Spanish, Wet Backs, Women, and to the Christians; whatever group you name, they have the same message as Absalom had: "See, thy matters are good and right...."
Everyone praises Reagan, but his SS rescue package, even though it did not raise the SS tax, for the first time it forced Churches into the SS system. Then he pushed and got a raise in SS payments for the large SS block of votes.
Absalom here was a success in his rebellion because he promised the people what they wanted to hear and they had a short memory. Only 5 years ago, he murdered his brother. (Kennedy...)
Today, the politicians are giving the people what they want, and as long as they do that, they can do anything they want to do, even overthrow the Son of David. IF you tell a person what they want to hear, you can get away with almost anything.
"Well, Absalom isn't so bad. In fact, he is a very smart man because he is the only one who is able to see that my cause is just. Not even the king could see that. IF he were the king, I would get a fair shake. He may not know anything about the law, but he is smart enough to know that I am right."
Human nature near as concerned that the other man get justice as it is that itself is found to be right. isn't really concerned that you get justice, but it sure is concerned that I get what I feel is justice. And every man's cause is just in his own eyes, Pr 18:17.
As men came with their complaint, Absalom was beside the gate. IF they would turn aside and bow before him, he would kiss them as a brother. "I am your servant.." he said by his actions, but he was putting on a false humility to further his own goals. Col 2:23, to exalt himself.
"The king is old, I am young and can do a much better job."
Now, here is the main point here.
There is no way that Absalom could have done these things without the king's knowledge, but he indulged his boy, he permitted it to continue.
David had to know what was going on because Absalom was not
secretly doing this.
How could Absalom have 50 men run before him in the streets without
it being well-known to the king?
David had to know that Absalom was standing in the gate day after
day wining the hearts of the people.
Parents who allow their children to do these things that they know are wrong, deserve what they get. The kids will go the same rout as did Absalom.
"Well, I know my kids listen to rock, but kids will be
kids."
"I know they are not what they should be, but after all,
they are kids and it is just a stage they are going through."
"They will grow out of it."
The problem is not that the kids are doing it; the problem is that the parents indulge them and many times even support them in their activity. They don't take the car keys away or ground them or withhold their allowance. The kids rebel against authority, but the blame lies with the parents.
I think we get a further hint of the problem in v. 26, Let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. This is a good statement for this exact situation, but there are two things that it indicates.
1. David seems to have a habit of letting things just sort of fall together. He seems to make no plans or take any stand. We hear a term today for this attitude, Hyper Calvinism; the fact that the Lord is in control, so there is no need for us to try to do right or take a stand against evil or win the world for Christ.
David sent Tamar to Amnon's bed, and left the results in the Lord's hands.
2. David allowed Absalom to rebel, and now it seems like David is placing the blame upon the Lord for what is taking place. "Well, it seemed good unto the Lord that I am now having to run up and down the hills, the Lord is doing right in raising up Absalom against me, now He will do right in this."
No, it was no ones fault but David's.
He stayed home instead of going to war.
He laid in bed and loafed when he should have been out fighting
the Lord's battles.
He looked and lusted when he should have turned away.
He brought her into his house when he should have left her alone.
He tried to hide his sin when Bath informed him that it had found
him out, unlike Judah who confessed his when he was confronted.
He could have told Uriah instead of killing him. (today they
kill the baby.)
He could have put her away as Judah did his daughter in law.
He could have dealt with Amnon when he raped his sister.
He could have said no when asked to send Tamar to Amnon.
He could have said no when asked to allow his children to go
to Absalom's feast.
He could have dealt with Absalom when he killed Amnon.
He could have said no to Joab and left Absalom in Gehser.
He could have said no when Joab asked for Absalom to be readmitted
to the king's court.
He could have said no when Absalom prepared himself as a king
Absalom's motives were obvious, v. 7. David could have said no when Absalom asked to go pay a vow to the Lord. To start with, Absalom never exhibited any desire whatsoever to serve the Lord, 15:7, 8.
How many times did David have the chance to say no or to put a stop to what was happening? Yet he says in v. 26, Let the Lord do to me as seemeth good unto Him. It sure seems that David brought the whole situation upon himself and now he is placing it in the Lord's lap.
OR according to 16:10, David might be saying that he realizes what he has done, he deserves the results which are coming to pass and he is leaving it all in the Lord's hands. But from the way he latter mourns over Absalom's death, I would say that David is not really saying that he deserves what is taking place. I think that he has just let things go and said, "The Lord will take care of it."
Sin blinds, and David was blinded by his each step of the way. He had many chances to but a stop to the events which he is now facing
Parents had better check and see if there is a sin which has been allowed to come into the house. IF there is, we are blind to the facts around us.
Parents had better learn to say NO to their children. If they are indulged and supported in their sin, Absalom's nature will reveal itself. Even though what they are wanting to do might not be contrary to the word of God, there are times that NO must be enforced.
It was not wrong for Absalom to shear his sheep or to invite
his brothers to the feast, but David should have said no.
It was not wrong for Tamar to help her brother who was supposedly
sick, but David should have said no.
There was nothing wrong with Absalom wanting to pay a vow to
the Lord, but David should have said no.
There was nothing wrong with David seeing his son's face or allowing
him back into the land, but David should have said no. (Although
this one Absalom should have been made to face up to his brother's
murder.)
We had better not indulge our children. "Kids will be kids" in a bad sense, only if we let them.
15:26, from a good light. In the midst of the difficulty of his life, David realized that the Lord was in charge and he left it in the Lord's hands.
Absalom stole the hearts of Israel because:
1) David indulged him
2) He told the people what they wanted to hear.
This may have been where David wrote Ps 10. Note vs. 9-11.
to here, 9/13/92
V. 7, after 40 years... 40 years after what? To start with, Absalom isn't 40 years old. Maybe he is 23-25, at the most. Because David has only been on the throne for 23-25 years.
This could be 40 years from David's anointing, 1 Sam 16:13, because David was about 17 at that time. This would make David about 57 here (7 1/2 years over Judah, 33 over Israel, 2 Sam 5:5, he started his reign at age 30 and died at 70 1/2. 17 at his anointing, 13 years when he started his reign, 40-13=27 years putting Absalom's rebellion at David's age of 57 if this 40 refereed to here is from the time of David's anointing, and David on the throne for 27 years. This would make Absalom about 28-30.
This would fit about right because it would be another 13 years before David would die.
Observe:
David and his men had to flee in the wilderness from Saul for about 8-10 years, because David wouldn't stay put where the Lord told him to be: Judah. Now David must flee from Absalom during this 13 year period because he took Bathsheba as his wife.
Absalom rebels under a lie. He tells his dad that he wants to go pay a vow to God. Dad believes him when facts should have told him differently. The King knew of the murder, he knew of the runners and the standing at the gate to undercut the kings authority, yet he permits this anyway. This is one of the times that if David has only said NO, it would have helped prevent the rebellion.
Parents want to believer the best of their kids even though the facts speak loudly otherwise. They believe the best to their own destruction. David may have said something like this: "Look fellows (speaking to his court), I told you my rebellious boy actually wanted to serve the Lord. He was only looking for that chance to do so." While the court probably thought, "David knows better than that."
I knew of a young girl and guy who were spending the night together (1984). In fact, they were seriously considering marriage because they were afraid she was pregnant. I heard people talk about the boy: "He works hard and seems like a real nice boy." No, he was a whoremonger.
If David had honestly faced facts about his boy, he sure could have saved himself a lot of trouble.
V. 10.
Absalom went with every intention of overthrowing the king, but
those who went with him (other than the spies), did not know this
was going on. He probably took these 200 by saying, "Come
on w9ith me to Hebron while I pay my vow."
The men knew why they were going based on the lie of Absalom, "with him to pay his vow," but those watching them go didn't know why they went. When the word came confirmed by the Spies, that Absalom was now king, there was no reason to doubt because after all, didn't he have 200 men of David with him? David must have condoned this, or he wouldn't have allowed the 200 to go with Absalom.
A person had better be careful and try the spirit before he follows someone because he may find himself on the worng side rebelling against Gods' man. Absalom ws now next in line for the throne.
Hebron, was the royal city, the center of Judah and where Dvid was made king and where Absalom was borne.
Ahithophel, foolish brother. David's counsellor went with Absalom, so evidently Ahithophel and Absalom had this prearanged, so that as Absalom did everything looked like he had the king's blessings.
1) He wanted to fulfill a vow to God, so he said. And I am sure he noised this far and wide and the people thought, "My what a nice young man,"
2) He sought the king's permission. The people knew he checked with the king and the king had told him to go.
3) HE took 200 of problem the elders, who were loyal to the king. Again, it looked like David encouraged the situation.
4) He even had Ahithophel with him, one of David's trusted counselors. "Surely, David is supportive of this."
5) V. 12, during all this time while he was gathering these people with him, he was offering sacrifices to the Lord. Boy, if this isn't like some people I know of: All the time they seem to be serving the Lord, but they are only "Feathering " their own nest.
Circumstances do not make a matter 'of God.' The word of God must always confirm circumstances, so when the trumpet blew and all the spies said Absalom reigns, the people look at Absalom in Hebron and, sure enough, everything lines up right.
V. 13. David knew as soon as someone brought the fcts to him what had happened.
V. 14.
Was David looking at this as the fulfillment of what Nathan had
told him? I don't think that David has put two and two together
because he leaves some of his wives to care for the house and
Nathan had prewarned what this rebel would do to them. I don't
think that David sees that it is his indulgence to his son's whims
coming out. He latter asks Joab to spare the rebel. David apparently
is completely blind to the facts.
V. 18.
He leaves those behind who he feels will be safe and takes the
600 with him, plus his family, as he flees from the sword of Absalom.
Note that David is fleeing for his life because he did not pursue
Absalom for justice when Absalom fled for his life. Also, notice
the hatred toward David by Absalom; he is ready to kill his dad.
Yet David still will not face reality; he later asked for the
boy to be spared.
How many parents have been destroyed by their own children because the parents will not face reality?
These 600 are probably the same 600 that came to David when he was fleeing from Saul, 2 Sam 27:2, 3, with him in Ziklag, 1 Sam 27:8; 29:2, 30:1, 9, &c. Although Ittai had come to him from Gath (this is where Goliath was from), and had been made a commander over 1/3 of the army (18:2) equal with Joab and Abishai.
Notice in David's fleeing, he forces no one to flee with him other than his family, but it doesn't really say that he took them with him, but that they went with him.
David encourages Ittai to stay behind and serve whomever God chose to be king, but Ittai was going to serve David even though for a time he had to flee the city in shame.
Of course, this is a beautiful picture of Christ being dispossessed by the rebel , satan, for a time. Many have chosen to serve him rather than to serve the One Who is going up and down, v. 20 for a time. Also, some today are serving the rebel in their simplisity. Just turn on the radio and the airwaves are full of them.
Some day though, the king is going to return and the rebel will be dealt with along with all his followers, even those who followed in their simplicity. The new Jerusalem will be established and the King will rule and reign forever and forever. Those who stay with the King while he is apparently disposed from His throne will be openly rewarded, vs. 19-21. The son of David will not force anyone to follow Him while the rebell seems to be on the throne. It must be a choice made by us.
(God's sovereignty and man's free will?)
V. 24, Notice whose side the priests and Levites took. They were not deceived by the rebel's sweet talk but chose David's side. David sends them back to dwell (stand) for right in the land of the rebel and the true priests of our Lord will not be fooled by the rebel even while the Son of David is in exile, so to speak. Mk 13:22. All believers are priests here while David is in heaven at the right hand of the father. We are to look out for His interests and further His Kingdom while He is away because He is coming back and we will answer to Him for how we carried for His affaires while He was away.
v. 25.
The habitation, his habitation. Today is not with the Son of
David, but with the Church which appears to be under the dominion
of the rebel, but not under his power. One day the Father will
send the Son back to lay claim to the church. He will find favor
in the Father's sight and He will come back and remove Absalom
(father of Peace.). I'm afraid this father of peace is the one
referred to in peace peace when there is no peace.
V. 30, mount of Olivet.
This is an important mount and best known as the place where
Christ sweat as it were great drops of blood and was taken by
the Roman soldiers. Also it is where He wept over Jerusalem, broken
hearted over the rebellion of His own children, Lk. 19:41, as
David does here. WE should be found weeping over the hardness
of men's hearts.
V. 26.
Back a little. Remember what Christ prayed in the Mt of Olives,
garden: not my will but thine be done. As David said here, let
him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
Both David and his son, Christ, were dispossessed from their
rightful place, throne , by sin. For David, his sin, for Christ,
our sin as He became sin for us. Rebellion removed both and both,
it was as seemeth good unto him. It seemed good for the Father
to bruise Christ for our sins.
Both left people behind to undermine the rebel and further
their own right cause. Both must now (while in exile) depend on
others to carry on their work. Both must receive messages as to
what is going on under the rebel. Christ through Prayer; David
through Ahimaaz and Jonathan.
Ahimaaz, powerful brother
Johathan, Jah is given.
Note the power of Jah is given through prayer, constant communication with the Father through the Son.
V. 37
Hushai, David's friend.. (quick)
Hushai, David's friend, could be of more help to David by staying
under subjection to the rebel instead of fleeing gfrom him as
we can. We are left here even though our king isn't , for the
furthering of his purpose.
Notice, v. 34, David told Hushai to lie to the rebel to protect him and undermine the rebel. Where is the line between a lie and the truth for a Christian? If Hushai had told the truth, both he and David would have parishad. use my message on what is turth.
We are left under the rebel's kingdom and authority, but we are not to be under his power. Some day the Son of David will return and the rebel will answer for his actions as will we when the king is brought back. WE must be careful in our actions now because we will answer then. He will return.
What is truth? added after this, October 11, 1992