II Samuel Chapter 15 "Absalom's
Rebellion, Treason (Secret) [1-6]." This Bible
Study is written by Roger Christopherson, and it's
transcription is provided with written permission by http://www.theseason.org II Samuel 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him." Absalom was a very proud man, and in many ways reflected those things that are said of Satan. This chapter is a continuation of the prior chapter, when Absalom came to David and the two of them put their differences aside for the moment. David had never done sought to glorify himself in all his days, but Absalom is trying to create an illusion of grandeur around him, wherever he went. When Absalom came he wanted the people to think, "here comes the king", and this group of fifty mounted horsemen were there where ever Absalom went. David had many sons, however only Absalom presented himself as a king, when in reality he was just one of many of the king's sons. II 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 are thou?" And he said, "Thy servant is one of the tribes of Israel." The "gate" spoken of here was the "Judgment gate", which was where the king came out to judge the people. It is much like our court system where the judge would sit on his chair, and the people would come before him to plead their case. Absalom would stand near where the chair was, with all his men standing by, and he would tell them approaching the chair that if I were king I would send you home, and be more lenient than the king. I would let you go, because I am Absalom, the king son. This act that Absalom was doing was treason against the king and the kingdom, for it was done without the consent of David. Absalom was trying to undermine David's authority right in David's court. II 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." " Absalom is trying to falsely win over the people of Israel and turn them against David. II Samuel 15:4 "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!" " Back in First Samuel 2, we read of the separation of the powers of church and state, where by the high priest would no longer sit on the judgment seat and rule as judge. The priest would have the liturgical duties, and the judge would have the duties of civil matters. When Saul became king and the monarchy was set up by Samuel the prophet, the king would have the power of state, for he was anointed by God. The king then became the defender of the faith, with all the authority of the kingdom, and the priest's authority was before the altar of sacrifice before the Father. So we see that Absalom was trying to get the people to put him in as king. When that statement is made publicly, it becomes the start of a revolution. Notice here that Absalom is accusing David of falsely while sitting sitting in the judges chair, and there is no record anywhere of David falsely accused anyone; except for the dealings with Uriah. Even while living amongst the Philistines, David was a fair man. Now here David's own son is starting this revolution and treason by planting false rumors about his father. It is terrible what false rumors and statements can start, so we see that Satan was using his tricks in the mind of Absalom, and doing the same thing that he did at his fall back in the first earth age. II Samuel 15:5 "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." Absalom was there by the judges seat every day to greet the people that came for judgment, and Absalom placed a great big kiss on each man that came by. As they came to Absalom, he put out his hand, and the people would kiss the hand, much like we see the greeting and submission to the pope today. A king is not the head of a democracy, but a kingdom, but Absalom was trying to take authority of a kingdom through the democratic process. Kings and queens of any land are not given their authority by vote, but by their position in the lineage or bloodline to the king. So what was happen here is Absalom trying to assume his authority before his right to rule has been established by the king stepping down. II Samuel 15:6 "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 even happens today, even in the church houses, for people like to listen to liars and gossip. They would rather believe something bad, than take the time to call the person down for what they are saying. Those little words of Absalom to each man passing by the judgment seat, were spread through out the land. Friend, this is treason against the king, and the people were to dumb to know the con job that Absalom was putting over on them. Absalom was worthless, and the people knew from the beginning that everything Absalom is saying is a lie. This is how Satan and his children the Kenites work their way in. It starts with little statements of flattery, changing and twisting the truth to their own advantage. People would rather listen to lies and flatteries of themselves, than to call the lie for what it is. God anointed the lineage of the kingship of Israel, and each of those kings were to be the leaders of God's people. The lineage of the king represents the law and order that the future generation would be living under. Absalom was presenting to the people himself, not anointed of God, but one willing to break away from God's ways to establish another form of judgment. Most of the kingdom listened to Absalom and bought into his plan. Today we have a government set up under a constitution, with all the rights stated under that constitution. The framers of the constitution used the commandments and laws of God to be the guidelines in their writings. The government was set up as the constitution orders it to be, in the three separate parts of the government. When the duties that one part of the government exceeds its authority, the corrections are made to bring the government back into its boundries. This can be seen when one branch of the government creates a law not under its authority, and that law is overturned by the courts. So the actions of Absalom would be like the military trying to take over the Judicial system, to put martial law in the land. Such actions without the authority to do so is treason. It shows that people like to be lied to, and many of them just didn't care about the kingdom they were living under. Don't worry! Our Father is in control every step of the way. II Samuel 15:7 "And it came 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." This statement is an outright lie, for Absalom had little to do with the Lord God Almighty. Absalom was about twenty when he killed Amnon, and he was in Geshur for three years before Joab went to bring him back. He was not allowed to face David for another two years, so he was in his late twenties when he started this act of treason against David and his kingdom. This request by Absalom took place in the fortieth year of David's reign. So we see that this lying to the people had gone on for many years, for Absalom was now a middle aged man when he declares that he wanted to pay this vow in Hebron. Absalom was talking to his father David and telling him this lie directly to his face. It was to throw David off as to what Absalom's real plan is, so that when it does take place it will be a complete surprise to David. II Samuel 15:8 "For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Sayria, saying, `If the Lord shall bring me again in deed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.' " Keep in mind that everything that Absalom will do is fulfilling the curse that the Lord had placed on David, spoken through the prophet Nathan. David placed this curse on his own house when he passed judgment on the rich man that took the lamb from the poor man for a feast to a stranger. Of course it was a parable about the killing of Uriah, and taking Bath-sheba for his wife. We studied this curse in the II Samuel 12:10-34. II Samuel 12:11 "Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of his sun." David's own sons are going to bring this evil against you. Before Absalom is finished, he will take David's wives and disgrace them in public. It is all going to happen in the light of day. II Samuel 12:12 "For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the son.' " So even though Absalom is lying, it will come to pass, for the vow from God is being carried out to the letter. God keeps his word in all his promises; for good and for correction. So in a sense this is David's payday before the Lord, and the actions of Absalom are being allowed by God. II Samuel 15:9 "And the king said unto him, "Go in peace." So he arose, and went to Hebron." David has given Absalom his blessings to make the trip. II Samuel 15:10 "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.' " There is a lot of history that has taken place in Hebron, and even today Hebron is in the news. It is a melting pot for trouble. So Absalom is going to split the tribes, and Absalom will try to rule with his authority from Hebron, from the start, while David sits as king in Jerusalem. Judah stayed behind David, but the ten tribes liked to have their ears tickled with the lies of Absalom. In most cases they still do today. II 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." The real truth of the mission that Absalom was withheld from these two hundred men. They followed Absalom, because David ordered it, and they thought that what ever Absalom desired was David's order. They had no idea of Absalom's revolt, but they were there to show force for Absalom. So the question here was; Is Jonadab still advising Absalom, or is Absalom on his own in this plotting. Remember that the land of Hamath was in Syria, and Absalom's mother was from the land of Hamath, from Geshur. When we understand the people involved here, it is easier for us see what is taking place, for this area has always been a trouble spot in the world. In time Solomon, the younger brother of Absalom would rule also over the area of Geshur, but in David's day that had not happened. II Samuel 15:12 "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." The word "Ahithophel" mean "brother of foolishness" and this person fits his name. This man was David own adviser. David's own adviser Ahithopel was taking part in this act of treason, and conspiracy. Absalom was winning all the people of the ten tribes over to his side, but Judah will be loyal to David. This happens every election in our land today, for a man gets up and promises people all sorts of things that he knows they want, and they fall for his lies. When that person gets into office, they find out that the man had no intent of keeping his word. It seems to be a trait of the house of Israel, buying into a lie, and Absalom has just put one over on them. They bought it hook, line and sinker. They bought the free handouts, and all the socialism that goes along with it. II Samuel 15:13 "And there came a messenger to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom." " This messenger is warning David that the people are listening and following Absalom. II Samuel 15:14 "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." " David knew that Absalom would wipe out the entire city of Jerusalem for the sake of killing his own father. David would not allow this to happen, and was willing to pack up all his servants and wealth and hit the road before Absalom could return with an army. So David was on the run again, at first it was from Saul, and now from his own son. II 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." " The servants said to David, we will fight or we will go with you. II Samuel 15:16 "And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women which were concubines, to keep the house." Those ten woman that David left behind were David's wives. They were left behind to keep order to the palace while David was gone. Absalom will take theses woman and claim them to be his before all Israel. Remember the promise of God, "...and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun." II Samuel 15:17 "And the king went forth, and all the People after him, and tarried in a place that was far off." II Samuel 15:18 "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." David did not just skip out the back door, but he took all the leaders and executioners [Cherethites], as well as Philistines that had become part of David's government [Gittites]. These Gittites are the six hundred men that were with David when he escaped Saul and went to Gath, into the land of the Philistines. Though they lived there and came from their, they like David were on the run from Saul. Many of these people were foreigners in David's service, and Absalom would do away with them. They knew that their protection was with David. II Samuel 15:19 "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." David is confronting Ittai to leave and go back to your home. You are a foreigner to our people and Absalom will not bother you. II Samuel 15:20 "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." " II Samuel 15:21 "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." " This is true loyalty to your master, to give of yourself even to your death. You simple have no price that you can give to loyalty, and it comes from the heart and mind of a person. Loyalty gives both love and understanding, and in the service of the Lord, loyalty comes from strangers, for Gentiles that love the Lord. II Samuel 15:22 "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." Ittai and his family and household stayed with David, and remained loyal to David. II Samuel 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." The brook Kidron is right out the east gate of the wall of Jerusalem, and go due east, for it just before you get to the mount of olives. It was on the mount of olives where Jesus gave that great sermon on the mount. So this is where David and all his people were, weeping and running for their lives. II Samuel 15:24 "And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city." Keep in mind that this is right outside the gate, and here comes all the priests, with Zadok the chief priest, and the ark of the covenant with them. II Samuel 15:25 "And the king said to 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:" This verse gives us the proof that David believed in our Father's promise. David knew that all this would come about and in the end, David would be restored to the throne. David established Jerusalem as the city of peace, and placed the ark of the covenant there. He did not want it uprooted, and taken anywhere. So he is telling Zadok that leave it there in Jerusalem, and God will bring me back to it and the city. The Israelites lost the ark to the enemy one time when they carried it out in a time of trouble and David did not want that to happen again. He knew that Absalom would never harm the priests nor the ark, even with all the evil that was in his mind, for if he did God would kill him anyway. II Samuel 15:26 "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." " David is telling Zadok, that when you are in Jerusalem, and Absalom is there sitting as king, you do what ever he demands of you. Zadok was just buying the time until David returns to Jerusalem. David knew that God had his hand on all that happens, and what ever happens David was willing to go along with it. II Samuel 15:27 "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." David knows that when the ark of the covenant returned to Jerusalem, some of his spies were also returning to Jerusalem. II Samuel 15:28 "See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me." David was also going to send some messengers along with Zadok, so that David could be informed continually as to what is going on in Jerusalem. Remember back when David's first child by Bath-sheba was still alive, David wept bitterly as long as the child was still living, hoping that God would change his mind. However, when the child died, David stopped weeping and fasting, for David knew that it was God's Will to take that child's life. When David was leaving Jerusalem he was weeping bitterly again, but once it became obvious that God would not stop the revolt, David straightened up, and carried out the things that had to be done. Yet all the time, David had never stopped to try to correct Absalom for any of his acts prior to this time, not in the killing of Amnon, nor in the acts of taking control of the judgment seat and David's court. David allowed Absalom to do as he would, and carry out what ever he had the desire to do. David never tried to remove that curse that God put on him, nor did he ever ask God to remove it from him and his household. The sin of David so took over his mind that he simply did not think of removing the curse. The guilt of his sin continually was on his mind. If it appears that one of us has a load that is to much for one to handle, that is the time to seek repentance from our Father in Jesus name, and He will lighten that load to where it is bearable. In repentance, God will change his mind, as times. II Samuel 15:29 "Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there." Remember that the first two kings were appointed and anointed by God, however Absalom was not anointed of God. Absalom appointed himself king, in the same manner that Satan will appoint himself messiah, and declare himself God, when he plays the role of Antichrist. This then is a type of what shall come to pass in the very near future. David did not stay and fight because Absalom was his own son, and he did not wish to have his son killed. David also knew that it was his own sin that brought these events to reality. So Zadok returned to Jerusalem with the priests, and the ark of the Covenant, to remain there as spies for David. II Samuel 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." David was weeping because of his sin that had caused all this trouble, and the others were weeping because David was weeping. David knew that this was God's punishment to him, and the others wept because they thought it was all over for David. However, this is not the same as when God forgives you through your repentance in Christ's name. David was a special person and God expects more out of David, than out of you. God holds a higher standard to those that he chooses and allows to have the knowledge and wisdom to see his higher plan. II Samuel 15:31 "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." " This is probably the reason that his name became Ahithophel, because it means "brother of foolishness". When Ahithophel was with David, he received sound advice, however now that he has gone over to Absalom, David was praying that God will make his words foolishness. This Ahithophel that had grown so close to David and become his advisor, was Bath-sheba's grandfather. He was a very wise man, and David relied on his wisdom and judgment. However this old dude wanted to run with the winners, and now that it appeared that Absalom his great grandson would be the boss, Ahithophel was going to stay with the winners. As we read on, we will see that this move was a very foolish move, and it will cost him greatly. II Samuel 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:" It is at the high point of a mount that you find the altars of worship, and when David reached the top of the mount of olives, Hushai was there to meet him. Hushai had his clothes all messed up and dirt all over his head. II Samuel 15:33 "Unto whom David said, "If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:" David was reminding this man, that if you go with me in your frame of mind, looking as you do, you will be a hindrance to me. II Samuel 15:34 "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 mayset thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel." This is what you call covert activity by God. David was telling Hushai to go back to Jerusalem and clean yourself up and become an advisor and servant to Absalom, and through you advice given, you will defeat the counsel or advice that Ahithophel is giving him. David was not only sending servant but a spy right in the highest position of Absalom's court. David knew that Ahithophel could not be trusted any more, no matter how things would turn out. II Samuel 15:35 "And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priest? 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." David is telling Hushai that when you have something to report to me, just go to Zadok the priest or Abiathar and tell them, and they will get your words to me. II Samuel 15:36 "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." So David has set up his spy network right to the top of Absalom's courts. There is nothing wrong with covert activity when it come to protecting the work of God. Covert activity is a vital part of our nations intelligence operations, for we must know what the enemy against our nation is thinking and doing. II Samuel 15:37 "So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem. Hushai is back in Jerusalem, cleaned up, and ready to do business for what ever government is in power. Then Absalom arrives with his many troops in advance and he is ready to take over the kingdom. Remember that all of the ten tribes of the house of Israel have already accepted Absalom as their king, yet Judah and Benjamin have not. We will see at a latter time, after Solomon's death that these two houses will pair off as two separate nations again and never be joined together again until after the coming of Christ in the second advent. So Absalom will become the king for a very short time. He is not anointed of God, but placed himself on the throne by treason and his own lies. Both Saul and David were appointed by God and anointed by Samuel the prophet of God, yet Absalom has appointed himself. It is obvious that this kingdom will not last.
Home .~ Plough .~ Seeds .~ Vine .~ Potter .~ Seasons .~ Sonshine .~ Rain .~ Field |