Absalom's Rebellion Against King David Series

Right now in this season of growing politics, we see various candidates political office beginning again to vie for the affections of the people. They make promises, they give their policies, and they fight for the support of the people of the United States. Similarly, in the time of David and Absalom we see a battle for the hearts and affections of the people of Israel.

David's own beloved son Absalom, begins to plot a nefarious conspiracy against his own dad. Let's dive into how that plays out...

From 2nd Samuel 15:1-4: “In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him. 2 He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, “What town are you from?” He would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.” 4 And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.”

Absalom, son of king David, begins to wait out on the way to the kings court. People would be coming to meet with the King and Absalom would call them over and find ways to help them with whatever problem they were facing. So he begins to receive the care and support of the nation.

He showed a great deal of compassion and kindness to the people as well.

It says in verses 5-6, “Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.”

The people would come and bow down before Absalom, and Absalom would take them by the hand and kiss their head and treat them kindly. I’m sure Absalom seemed like a great leader, so kind, so gentle, so caring, so compassionate, or so it seemed.

Absalom did this for four years. And the word of God says that he stole the hearts of the people. The people began to speak well of Absalom, talk about his kindness, his loving nature, his hugs, and help, and pretty soon the whole nation is saying from door to door that Absalom is a great leader, and David, not so much.

Absalom has public support. I’m sure if you took a poll of citizens of Israel, Absalom would have a high favorability rating, probably 80 or 90 percent. David would probably be down around 50 percent, or less.

Now that Absalom has public opinion on his side. So next he plans to gather his followers in Hebron. He goes to King David for permission to visit Hebron.

In verses 7-9: "At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, “Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the Lord. 8 While your servant was living at Geshur in Aram, I made this vow: ‘If the Lord takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the Lord in Hebron.’” The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he went to Hebron.”

It’s ironic that David said “go in peace” because Absalom’s actual purpose was to make war.

Absalom goes off to Hebron. In verses 10-12: "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.’” 11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter. 12 While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from Giloh, his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.”

If you recall, the first place where David became king was Hebron. So this would be a familiar story to the people of Israel. For the nation, they probably thought something similar was happening, as to when Saul’s house slowly declined and David’s authority grew.

They might think to themselves, maybe this is like Saul, and David, And Absalom is going to replace David! I’m sure that seemed to be a familiar story in their minds. But it wasn’t true. It wasn’t God’s will. This was the work of Absalom. Absalom is very intelligent though. He’s carefully working things together, gathering a group of leaders, gathering everyday people to his side, spreading word about this trumpet call that would signify the call for rebellion, and even gaining a wise advisor in Ahithophel.