1 & 2 Samuel

2 Samuel Chapter 15

Absalom's Conspiracy

2Samuel 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

He made himself to look important and a man of purpose, having horses drawn by chariots and 50 chosen men to go before him. He had men run before him preparing the way similar to what a proud king in other countries do to announce their arrival. Its seems as if he thought he was worthy of being king instead of his father. Looks like he had not have forgiven David for not doing something about Amnon when he raped his sister. Had he waited until his father died naturally and not did things this way, he was in line to become the next king being instead of Solomon who was much younger. His rebellion here happened two years after his meeting with his father. Absalom's mother was a daughter of a king so that too would make him think he was royalty.

2 Samuel 15:2 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.

Absalom was trying to look like a hero to them. Someone who really cared about their needs and wanted to listen to them. This was a subtil sneaky way to make them think David didn't do right by them.

2 Samuel 15:3 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.

This man would probably be able to win the presidency of the United States. He became a polished polititian who would say exactly what the people wanted to hear. He actually stole their hearts from David. Only those with discernment from the Lord recognizing David as God's anointed would have escaped this deception. This may be similar to what the latter day man of sin who we call antichrist may resemble. That man may just be one to make the people think he really cares about them but he really is one filled with the devil himself and did not care about anyone.

2Samuel 15:7 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.

Forty years was translated four years in the Arabic version and according to Josephus. The Jewish historian. Some others say it simple means forty years since Israel first became a nation that had a king. That was when Israel's government became a monarchy against the advice of Samuel the prophet.

2 Samuel 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.

Pretending to have a vow to serve the Lord, has to be a lie. This is not the Lord's work. Grudges and hate can be overcome by the power of God but we must submit to it and forgive instead of letting hate and bitterness build up in us usually resulting in more tragic things happening instead of good.

2Samuel 15:9 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.

This was done to look like he was legally becoming the King of Israel. He had gained enough followers to pull this off if it wasn't for the power of a mightly God who anointed David, not Absalom to be king.

2 Samuel 15:11 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 counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

Some he sent as spies, some just went with him not knowing that this what was going on and some were with him in this conspiracy to overthrow the kingdom. Some it may not have know that this was a rebellion against David as king. They may have even thought that David was allowing it for some reason.

Ahithophel later commits suicide. He was the grandfather of Bathsheba so following Absalom may have been to take vengeance of David. His suicide is written in chapter 17 of 2 Samuel.

David Flees Jerusalem

2Samuel 15:13 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.

In 2 Samuel 12-14 we see that this is the exact prophecy Nathan gave to David after the incident with Bathsheba. It is coming to pass just as the Lord said. God forgave David's sin but the consequences still brings forth the bad fruit and the bad example of his sin influenced his children.

God help us to set holy examples for our kids so that these things can be avoided. I cry for the children of our nation. Sending children to public schools that have forbidden the mention of God in prayer or bible reading, has had a terrible effect on the children. After God was kicked out, drugs, alcohol, teen pregnancy, abortion, and school shootings increased. Now we are seeing drag queens leading story hours in some schools. We need Jesus back.

2 Samuel 15:15 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.

Little did he know what would happen by leaving these women behind. Real ugly stuff.

2 Samuel 15:17 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.
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.

God in His mercy left David with many faithful friends ready to die defending him if necessary. When things like this happen, we find out who our real friends are. These faithful ones were Gentiles, not Israelis. I found that interesting. Ittai had converted and became a believer in the God of Israel. We can discern that by the words he said when he mentions the Lord.

David allowed them to leave and even join Absalom if they chose. It seems as if David here flees not out of fear of his own life but the lives of his followers and his household. Why he left some of the concubines, is puzzling though. Perhaps he thought they would be safe since the majority left. The concubines would be no threat to Absalom.

2Samuel 15:23 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.
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.

The priests and Levites were faithful to stay with David and support him during this season. God is so good. They recognized the anointing of God. This is what David did when Saul was king. He refused to lift and hand up against God's anointed.

2Samuel 15:25 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.

Dear precious David submits to the will of God. He is trusting God in all these events. He sends the priests to the city of Jerusalem and to take the Ark of God there while he stays in the wilderness. I'm assuming he didn't want these men of God in danger. Whether he is brought back safely or is not in God's favor, he submits himself to God's will.

2Samuel 15:30 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.

David wept and so did those with him. He was not alone in his sorrow. Then we see one reporting that even Athithophel joined with Absalom betraying the king in the process. This must have really hurt David further. He prays for the counsel of Ahithophel turning into foolishness which is fulfilled later. Notice the similarity between the betrayal of this person and the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.

2Samuel 15:32 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.

Here is a faithful friend in Hushai. David is trusting him to go back and submit himself to Absalom so as to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. Absalom will probably be so confident in himself that he will not see that he is being set up. David has to trust Zadok's two sons to bring him word of all they hear. God gives David faithful friends to stay by him. It is a rare gift to have those that stay faithful even when it looks like the easy way would be to join the opposing forces.

Faithfulness is what we all need when it comes to serving our God. Even when the world around us ignores the good way of faith in Jesus, we need to stay firm and look to the Lord, waiting upon Him no matter what others decide to do. DC

2 Samuel Chapter 16