2 Samuel 15: 1 – 37
Empty promises, feigned concern
15 After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” 4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 7 Now it came to pass after forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please, let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the LORD. 8 For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the LORD indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’ ” 9 And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So, he arose and went to Hebron. 10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’ ” 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything. 12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number. 13 Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” 14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15 And the king’s servants said to the king, “We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands.” 16 Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house. 17 And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts. 18 Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king. 19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place. 20 In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you.” 21 But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.” 22 So David said to Ittai, “Go, and cross over.” Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over. 23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness. 24 There was Zadok also, and all the Levites 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 finished crossing over from the city. 25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. 26 But if He says thus: ‘I have no delight in you,’ here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.” 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there. 30 So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up. 31 Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” 32 Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God—there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father’s servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,’ then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me. 35 And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? Therefore it will be that whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall tell to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Indeed they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear.” 37 So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.
Why don’t we listen to the adage, which states, Fool me once, shame on you? (Shame on you for doing or saying this lie to me) Fool me twice, shame on me? (Shame on me for buying your lie a second time) As far back as I can remember, we have witnessed politicians making empty promises, and ending up disregarding these, once they are elected. Yet, it appears, many of us, either, want to believe, fail to pay attention, are apathetic, or naive, and continue to vote, based on these promises, rather than the quality, and/ or viability of the action plan. Perhaps, now, more than ever before, we are witnessing a level of false statements, and lack of viable solutions, and, if American voters, keep voting these types of people, into office, there will probably be, a continuation of this empty rhetoric.
With these thoughts in mind, I will attempt to briefly, identify, review and discuss, some of these scenarios that induce us to accept empty promises and feigned concern.
1. Fact checking: Because of Social Media it has become far easier to quickly spread falsehoods, and/ or just, out – and – out lies. Unless and until. more people fact – check, before believing everything they hear, this falsehood will continue because it has proven effective in misleading voters to believe what those spreading these lies want us to believe!
2. Politicians speeches: Listen carefully to what a politician states, and/ or claims, when they give a speech. Do not merely, follow, blindly, because it fits some personal agenda, and/ or self – interest, but look, at which individual, seems, best prepared, and has some viable solutions, based on considering ramifications, reality, and the common good, rather than feel – good, rhetoric!
3. Ready – for – prime – time: Too many times, we vote, based on personality, celebrity, or some other intangible, rather than who, is prepared, for all the responsibilities, and necessities, of effectively leading, and making a difference for the better. In today’s world various slander messages attempt to sway the public’s view of opponent candidates.
4. Positive difference, rather than change, for change – sake: One of the most overused expressions, is stating, we need change! Changing things, unless they are based on viable solutions, seeking positive differences, rarely serves citizens, best interests! In truth when you stop and think about what a person running for office promises such as more job creation how can just one new elected politician, the new kid on the block, persuade the veteran officials who have been established in their vital roles and positions.
We need better public officials, but, rather than, merely, blaming and complaining, American voters must pay more attention, and get more involved! Voting should focus on which candidate, will most benefit, the American public!
I suggest an even better way to deal with these problems – pray! In the book of 2nd Chronicles chapter 7 we find our Lord’s advice on this matter, “14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Now this verse is something I believe in and support. How about you?
Today we are going to see the very things we have just talked about be implemented right before our eyes with a politician by the name of Absalom. He fits the description of a good elected official. He is good looking and comes from the best stock of the country. Sadly, he will be like all the other phonies in that he talks the talk but does not walk the proper walk.
Absalom had by now probably caught on to the fact that if he waited for David to die the throne would be given to someone else. and that would explain why he began to plan a coup. Initially his activity would only appear to be that of a rather vain king’s son, but gradually it built up into something more insidious as he began to convince the people that ‘if only he was in power’ all would get justice. David was either not aware of or had overlooked the history that indicated that when Absalom wanted anything, he was willing to do anything to obtain it.
At first sight all appears to go well for Absalom. Judah and Israel will be won over, Ahithophel the Wise will join him in Hebron in order that together they might commence the rebellion, and David will have to flee from Jerusalem for his life, leaving the way wide open for Absalom into the capital. It is all part of Yahweh’s chastening of David for his great sins. But it will be made clear that Yahweh God has not rejected David, and that because David’s heart is still right towards Him. Though the Loving Father will chastise him severely He will then enable him to retain the kingship. The remainder of the account will indicate how it is Yahweh God Who will be instrumental in defeating and humiliating Absalom and thwarting all his plans.
15 After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
Absalom’s first move was to increase his reputation in the popular mind by travelling in a chariot and horses preceded by fifty runners. This display of pomp, common with many kings of the day, was intended to indicate to the people how important he was. It underlined to them his supreme royal status. (Ordinary people are often impressed by great display).
2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So, it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.”
But he went further. Every day he would go down to the city gate (which was where justice would normally be exercised) early in the morning and when anyone came by, who had come to see the king to seek justice, he would begin to chat with him and find out who he was and what his case was all about.
3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.”
Once he knew the details he would point out to the man that his case was good and right, but that there did not appear to be anyone there, deputed by the king to hear it. Thus, everyone got the impression that Absalom would certainly have ensured that their case was heard and that if only Absalom had heard their case they would have succeeded in their bid for justice.
4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.”
Having given his assurance to each one who came that had he been ruler they would have succeeded in their case, Absalom would then proclaim for all within hearing to hear that if only he were king in the land every man would be able to come to him and would obtain justice, in other words would win his case.
5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.
Absalom not only assured each person that they would each obtain justice from him, but when they approached him to do obeisance to him as the king’s son, he would wave it aside, put out his hand, take hold of them and kiss them as though they were his best friends.
6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So, Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
This was the way in which Absalom behaved towards all in Israel who came to the king seeking justice. It was the way by which he ‘stole the hearts of all Israel’. Soon the word would get around which would convince the people of what a wonderful king Absalom would make. David was about to learn that if you invite a snake into your bed you should not be surprised if you are bitten.
7 Now it came to pass after forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please, let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the LORD.
It is quite apparent from what follows that Absalom’s plotting continued, extending further and further through disaffected people until it had spread throughout large parts of Israel and Judah, especially in key cities, with the result that gradually he felt that his support had become wide enough for him to be able to act with a good chance of success. It is also apparent that one powerful group of such conspirators was in Hebron, a group which was sufficiently powerful to guarantee his acceptance there as king. Thus, he appears to have had support in both Israel and Judah. This suggests that David’s popularity had, through the years, waned outside the capital away from the court. It may well be that once his military successes were behind him and the grateful country gradually began to accept its security as its right, it began to have greater expectations than David was fulfilling. It serves to bring out that David was perhaps not as good at local administration as he was at winning battles. Much of his concentration would have been on the wider empire. As a consequence, he had tended to overlook the need to keep his own people happy. All this must have been so for the rebellion to take hold so easily.
The question that this raise is as to what the ‘end of forty years’ refers to. If we take the number literally then it produces a definite problem. I believe this statement is not a copyist error or recording ‘40’ instead of ‘4’ years. I think it signifies the period from Absalom’s birth to the time when he attained maturity, sufficiently to rebel. Such a special event as coming to maturity would adequately explain why he took with him two hundred chosen men, who were totally unaware of what was really happening, to perform a vow, something which would surely have been suspicious had it not been on a very special occasion.
In the book of Genesis marriage consistently took place when someone was ‘forty years’ old, in other words was mature enough for marriage (Genesis 25.20). The constant use of ‘forty years’ indicates important periods which we read in the books of Judges, Samuel and Kings.
8 For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the LORD indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’
Absalom then explained how when he was in Geshur he had made a solemn vow to Yahweh that if He would restore him to his rightful position in Jerusalem, he would ‘serve Him’. The verb ‘to serve’ can have a general significance of obedience to Yahweh but it can also have the special significance of ‘serving’ the Lord in a spiritual life. In the end, however, it was only really an excuse to go to Hebron without arousing suspicion.
9 And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So, he arose and went to Hebron.
Such a proposal that he should ‘serve Yahweh’ would have gladdened the king’s heart for he would have wanted nothing more than that his sons properly fulfil their responsibilities towards Yahweh. So totally unsuspectingly he bade him ‘go in peace’. This was a general farewell wish indicating a situation of wellbeing between the parties, but it gains special significance in this case because we know that he is doing anything other than going in peace. And the consequence was that Absalom ‘went to Hebron’, to cause war.
10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’
It was from Hebron, where he was seemingly greeted as prospective king, (it is apparent that a number of negotiations must have been going on meanwhile), that he sent out messengers to selected groups with the news that when they heard the blowing of the ram’s horns then they were to declare that ‘Absalom is king in Hebron’. His coronation, when he would be anointed as king (19.10), was evidently imminent. This stress on ‘in Hebron’ might suggest that there was general disaffection among many throughout the whole of Israel over David’s selection of a Canaanite stronghold as his capital city, something which Absalom was taking advantage of. Hebron at least was an ancient sanctuary of Yahweh, and the home of the Tabernacle, and ancient traditions die hard. Many would not have been pleased with the change of emphasis to Jerusalem. Absalom was again playing the people for all he was worth.
11 And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything.
Absalom took with him ‘two hundred men’ out of Jerusalem, men who were in simple innocence of what his motives were. They would, however, no doubt have been selected because they were known to be his ‘friends’.
Once messengers had gone out throughout Israel, and preparations had begun in Hebron for Absalom’s coronation (he was anointed by the people as king in Hebron - 19.10), it was inevitable that David’s loyal supporters would bring him news of the fact, and on receiving that news David immediately determined to get out of Jerusalem. He was aware of the unrest in the country and that being shut up in Jerusalem would have prevented him from gathering his own support around the country and would also have cut him off from that support. It would also inevitably have brought destruction and desolation on Jerusalem itself. Thus, he needed to find a safer haven in an area where he still had strong support, and from the intelligence that he had he clearly considered that to be in Transjordan. Furthermore, the city that he had in mind, Mahanaim, was a recognized royal city in opposition to Hebron. (While David had reigned in Hebron, Ish-bosheth had reigned in Mahanaim). And they would be delighted to be recognized as such once more.
His immediate decision to leave Jerusalem and cross the Jordan into Transjordan meant that all those who were in Jerusalem also had to consider their own positions. The question was whether they should accompany David on his flight and subsequent fight back, or whether they should remain in Jerusalem and appear to be loyal to whoever ruled from Jerusalem. It would make David aware of who were truly his friends.
David was accompanied on his flight by the royal bodyguard, his loyal courtiers, his wives and concubines (apart from those left to tend his palace in Jerusalem), and many who also joined him as his loyal supporters. Absalom meanwhile hastily summoned Ahithophel to join him from his home city of Giloh, because he was aware that he needed his expert advice. The importance of Ahithophel, because of his wisdom, was clearly appreciated by both sides. Both sides knew that his wise advice might turn the tide in favor of the one whom he supported.
12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.
Even while Absalom was offering his sacrifices in Hebron in accordance with his proclaimed purpose for coming there, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, to come from his home city Giloh to act as his adviser. Ahithophel's home city was in the mountains of Judah, to the south or south-west of Hebron. Meanwhile support for Absalom was growing as the news of his coup began to spread around. There is in this confirmation that there was general disillusionment about David’s kingship, possibly because in his period of complacency and arrogance, he had become too overbearing and inaccessible to the common people.
Ahithophel’s defection must be seen in the light of the fact that he was probably Bathsheba’s uncle. Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam and Ahithophel had a son named Eliam who was one of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23.34). This would explain the depth of his bitterness against David because of what he had done to his family, and his disaffection is emphasized by his being at Giloh at this time, either because he was no longer acting as counsellor, or because he was in on the conspiracy and had gone there in readiness for it. David was once more reaping what he had sown with Bathsheba.
13 Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”
Inevitably as the news of the growing tide in favor of Absalom spread around those who remained loyal to David sent messengers to David informing him of the revolt, and of the way in which people were flocking to Absalom’s banner.
14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
On receipt of this news David recognized that his wisest course would be to leave Jerusalem, where he could have become entrapped by the arrival of Absalom’s forces, and move immediately into an area over the Jordan which had not been so affected by Absalom’s propaganda. From there he could then begin to organize his own counter measures. Transjordan was regularly the place of refuge for those who fled the central part of Israel, for the Transjordanians were, to some extent at least, a unit in themselves and historically their loyalty was not so tied in with the tribes on the western side of the Jordan. To quite a large extent they saw themselves as having their own agenda. And they would have been delighted at the thought that Mahanaim was being recognized once more as a royal city. David’s departure would also save Jerusalem from being taken before the defenses could be properly and efficiently organized, something which would be accompanied by great slaughter, or alternatively from suffering the effects of a prolonged siege, with all the consequences that would then follow if the siege was successful. He could also not be sure quite how many in Jerusalem might be supporting Absalom.
15 And the king’s servants said to the king, “We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands.”
All his courtiers and commanders declared that they would go along in whatever David decided was best. They clearly had full confidence in his ability to escape from the net that was drawing in around him and were ready to trust his experience. He was after all the most outstanding general that Israel had ever had, and furthermore had under his command a fighting force which though small, was of massive experience and military efficiency.
16 Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house.
So, the king departed with all his household, including his wives and children and most of his concubines, and all the palace officers and servants, leaving behind a handful of concubines to look after the needs of the palace. His hope was that Absalom would see no need to ill-treat his concubines
17 And the king went out with all the people after him and stopped at the outskirts.
The king not only went forth with his household, but also with ‘all the people’, that means, of course, all his followers in Jerusalem, not stopping until they came to Beth-hermack (‘the house of the distances’) where they organized themselves and regrouped.. It would be the natural place to wait for all who wanted to join them in their flight as they arrived from different parts of the city and the countryside round about.
18 Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king.
David was not only accompanied by his own large household, but also by all his loyal courtiers and by his equally loyal bodyguard (‘his men’). This bodyguard included the highly effective Cherethites and Pelethites who were both highly skilled and very experienced warriors. They were not the kind of men you would wish to suddenly come up against in the mountains, something of which Absalom would be well aware. That was why he would choose the pathway of caution which guaranteed his downfall. Absalom may have had the numbers, but he knew perfectly well that David had the quality.
19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place.
On top of David’s six hundred there was a mercenary force of Gittites under Ittai who were recent arrivals (the ‘six hundred’ might refer to them). David, however, did not see them as being under any obligation to stay with him in the circumstances. So, when Ittai arrived to go with him he encouraged him to return and serve whoever was king in Jerusalem, pointing out that as a foreigner, and an exile from his own country, he only owed a duty to those who paid him.
20 In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you.”
After all Ittai with his men had only come to Jerusalem recently. How then could David expect him to share his flight down to the Jordan rift and then into Transjordan, going wherever he felt it necessary to avoid Absalom’s forces, not knowing what the outcome may be? He might even never have how to pay them. So, David suggested that he go back to Gath, and take with him his brother Philistines, and wished him ‘mercy and truth’.
21 But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.”
But Ittai was made of sterner stuff. He would have nothing of it. He knew enough about David to have summed him up, and he liked what he had seen. So, he swore his loyalty to David on the life of Yahweh and on the life of the king himself. He stressed that he was willing to follow David no matter whether such a path led to life or death, for he saw David as his true leader and king.
22 So David said to Ittai, “Go, and cross over.” Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over.
Acknowledging his bravery and loyalty David acquiesced in his position and told him to go forward and pass over along with the others. And so Ittai the Gittite passed over, along with all his mercenaries, and all their children who were with them. They added great strength to David’s arm. We can in fact see why Ahithophel was so eager for Absalom to catch David and his forces while they were still disjointed and unorganized. It was his only chance of defeating them. David certainly had with him ‘a hundred’ (and more) who would be quite capable of ‘putting ten thousand to flight’ (Leviticus 26.8).
23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness.
Meanwhile the whole country was in mourning. We are not necessarily to see that they were weeping simply for David. They were indeed mainly weeping because civil war was coming, and they did not like what they saw ahead. They knew that civil war was especially hard on everyone. Meanwhile all the people who were with David passed over the Wadi Kidron which was on the edge of Jerusalem towards the east before reaching the Mount of Olives. They were moving forward towards The Way of the Wilderness, the road which would lead them from Jericho into Transjordan.
24 There was Zadok also, and all the Levites 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 finished crossing over from the city.
Along with all the others came Zadok and the Levites, bearing the Ark of the Covenant of God which they had carried from the Tent in Jerusalem. And once there they took the Ark of God up a hillside and set it down where all the people could see it as they passed by as an indication that Yahweh was with David. Meanwhile Abiathar the Priest had arrived later, possibly from the Tabernacle at Hebron, and he also went up on the hillside before the Ark in front of all the people. Thus, all knew by this that Yahweh was with David. And this continued until all the people who were likely to come had arrived and had finished passing out of the city.
25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. 26 But if He says thus: ‘I have no delight in you,’ here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.”
But David was not happy at the thought that the Ark of God should be required to join their wanderings. He had established it in a sacred Tent in Jerusalem, and in his view that was where it belonged. And he had no doubt that Yahweh could help him from there. In his view to remove it would be an act of surrender and an indication that he was not expecting to return. So, he informed Zadok that he should take it back to the city. As far as he was concerned all, including his own future, was in Yahweh’s hands and The Lord God would do whatever He would, no matter where His physical abode. Thus, whether he himself was to find favor at Yahweh’s hands did not depend on the whereabouts of the Ark, for The God of Israel was not limited and could work how and where He would. It simply depended on Yahweh’s own will and purpose. And that was what mattered. If Yahweh was intending to show favors to him then he would be brought safely back to the place where the Ark dwelt, but if Yahweh was, on the other hand, now saying ‘I have no delight in you’, then he was willing to leave all in His hands. Let The Holy Ruler of the Heavens and the earth do to him what seemed good. Emergencies like this always brought out the best in David, and he was being reminded both of how dependent he was on Yahweh, and how universal was His power.
27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
David then pointed out to Zadok that he was a seer. He was thus one who could see through spiritual insight ,more than others, could even see into men’s hearts, and could act as David’s eyes in Jerusalem. That was why he and Abiathar should return there with his son and Abiathar’s son. It was clear that he was confident that Zadok and Abiathar would be safe in Jerusalem because they would be expected to be where the Ark of God was whoever ruled there. Their loyalty was to Yahweh.
28 See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”
Meanwhile David would go on and tarry at the fords of the Jordan on the Way of the Wilderness until he had received certification as to what the true situation was from Zadok and Abiathar.
29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there.
In obedience to David’s wish, Zadok and Abiathar bore the Ark of God back to Jerusalem and continued their residence there. They were to be David’s eyes in Jerusalem.
30 So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up.
David and his attendants then went up over the Mount of Olives, and as he went he wept, had his hair covered, and went barefoot. These were all symbols of mourning and repentance before Yahweh, and an indication of great distress.
31 Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
And as he went up the Mount someone came to him with the worst news that he had received up to this point. It was that his famed and wise counsellor Ahithophel had joined the rebellion on Absalom’s side, and was advising Absalom. Recognizing what that could mean for the success of the rebellion David turned to the only One Whom he felt could help him in such a situation and prayed, “O YHWH, I pray you, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” David knew how much depended on that prayer. He knew that Ahithophel’s advice could make all the difference between success and failure.
Having prayed that The only living God would turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness in the eyes of Absalom, David made his way to the top of the Mount ‘where God was worshipped’ and there before his very eyes he saw the almost instant answer to his prayers in Hushai the Archite, his loyal and faithful counsellor who was known as ‘the King’s Friend’. Here if anywhere was the solution to his problem. For Hushai too had a reputation for wisdom, and if he was in the right place could hopefully counteract any counsel that Ahithophel gave. The appearance of Hushai at this very time would have been an encouraging sign to David that Yahweh was still with him.
32 Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God—there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.
As David reached the top of the Mount of Olives David saw Hushai the Archite hurrying to meet him, bearing in his person all the signs of grief over what was happening. Both the tearing of the coat and the earth on the head expressed his deep emotion. Hushai the Archite was one of David’s counsellors and was known as David’s Friend which was probably the title resulting from his official position as his chief personal adviser. He was almost certainly old, a wise man seen as having the extra wisdom that came with age.
33 David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father’s servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,’ then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me.
Recognizing in this an almost instant answer to his prayer concerning Ahithophel, David pointed out to Hushai that if he went with them he would only delay them because of his age, but if on the other hand he returned to the city and pretended to submit to Absalom he would hopefully be able to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
35 And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? Therefore it will be that whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall tell to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
Furthermore, he was not to think that he would be alone there. For Zadok and Abiathar the priests would also be with him in Jerusalem. Thus, whatever he learned in Absalom’s palace he could pass on to them.
36 Indeed they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear.”
Then Zadok and Abiathar would be able to send to the king their two sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, with any information that was gleaned, if it was considered of sufficient importance to pass on.
37 So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.
So Hushai, David’s ‘Friend’ (his most prominent personal adviser), fell in with David’s suggestion and returned to the city, and he was only just in time, for with David’s fifth column now safely in position Absalom arrived soon afterwards in Jerusalem with his troops, unaware of the groundwork that David had laid. It was, of course, difficult for Absalom to know who could be trusted or who could not. That is one problem with a rebellion. How do you know which of those who have joined you are genuine rebels, and are ‘patriots’ who want to do their best for their country whoever is in charge, and which are actually spies and likely to be subversive? Even the most disaffected would have had to pretend to be loyal to David. Hushai then appeared no different from the others.
