Absalom's Place

DATE

ABSALOM’S PLACE

II Samuel 18:18 - 2Sa 18:18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place. (KJV)

INTRODUCTION: All through the Bible certain men are identified with a place or an event.

Adam — Garden of Eden.

Noah — Mt. Ararat.

Moses — The burning bush.

Elijah — Mt.. Carmel.

David — Jerusalem.

Absalom is identified with hanging in an oak tree. Absalom is always associated with disobedience and rebellion. In this scripture today, we see the term “Absalom’s Place”.

What kind of place was this place? Was it good, or was it bad?

When Absalom’s name is mentioned it always speaks of the negative. He is not mentioned in the “Hall of Fame Chapter, Heb. 11. He in not associated with good or character. His name always rings with disobedience, pride, and rebellion. What kind of place would be named after Absalom?

You listen closely as we examine “Absalom’s Place”. Then apply this to your own life.

I. A PLACE OF SELF-EXALTATION. Vs. 18.

2Sa 18:18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place. (KJV)

A. No Son To Carry His Own Name.

B. He Made A Statue After Himself And His Name.

C. The Way To Exalt Self Is To Put Self Down. Lift others up. Pray. 25:27; “so for men to search their own glory is not glory.”

1. The first shall be last.

2. The last shall be first.

D. Self—Exaltation Leads To Failure And Defeat.

E. The Christian Should Exalt:

1. The Lord — Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (KJV)

2. The Church — The Lord’s work.

3. The Saints — The Lord’s Bride.

F. No Place In The Christian Life For Self.

G. Success Of A Christian Is Based On Denying Self.

H. Isaiah Records Exaltation Properly In Isa. 6:1; “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up.

I. John 3:30; “He must increase, I must decrease.”

II. A PLACE OF SELF—RIGHTEOUSNESS. II Sam. 15:7—10.

2Sa 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.

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.

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. (KJV)

A. Absalom Pretended To Go To Jerusalem To Pay His Vows. Vs. 7—8.

B. He Went Instead To Hebron To Steal The Kingdom. Vs. 9—10.

C. There Are A Large Number Of Absaloms On Our Church Rolls Today.

1. They pretend to partake in a worship experience but really are there for some other reason.

D. Self—Righteousness Leads To Loss Of Rewards. I Cor. 3:11—15.

1. Works will be tried by fire. 1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. (KJV)

2. Wood, hay, and stubble will burn. 1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (KJV)

3. Gold, silver, and precious stone will abide forever. 1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (KJV)

E. Self—Righteousness May Lead One To Hell.

F. Are You In Absalom’s Place Today?

G. Friend, Self—Righteousness Is A Substitute.

III. A PLACE OF REBELLION.

A. Rebellion Is Everywhere And Present In Every Organization Or Society.

B. Observe The White House. The liberals rebel against the conservatives because they didn’t think of the change first.

C. Rebellion Among Labor Groups.

D. Rebellion Among Athletes.

E. Parents Rebel Against Nearly Every Authority Then Wander Why Youth Rebel. That’s all they see. That’s all they hear. REBEL. REBEL. REBEL.

Someone once said, “The poor man didn’t know he was poor until the government told him he was poor.” I sometimes think that is the way it is with the youth today. They have been told so much that they rebel until they think they are abnormal if they don’t rebel.