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.
F. The Bible Speaks About Rebellion.
1. It is the same as witchcraft. I Sam. 15:23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (KJV)
2. To rebel against God or righteousness is the same as practicing witchcraft. Young men, let me warn you. A young girl that rebels against her father will rebel against her husband. The rebellion is against an authority figure. Young ladies, do you want to know how that sweetheart will treat you after you are married? Observe the way he treats his mother. He will treat you the same way. Young men will obey God to the same degree they obeyed their father.
IV. A PLACE OF RETRIBUTION.
A. Romans 6:23; “The wages of sin is death.”
B. “The Soul That Sinneth Shall Surely Die.” Absalom knew that truth but ignored it. Everyone here knows the same truth but mast everyone ignores it.
C. You Can’t Cover Your Sin.
The pigs always return to wallow.
The chickens always come home to roost.
Sin will expose itself.
There is always a payday.
A place of retribution.
V. A PLACE OF SHAME AND SORROW. 19:4—5.
2Sa 19:4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
5 And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; (KJV)
A. Shame To His Father. (God)
B. Shame To His Family. (Saints)
C. Shame To The Kingdom. (God’s Work And Service)
VI. A PLACE OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION. 18: 14—15.
2Sa 18:14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
15 And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. (KJV)
A. Absalom Died.
B. When You Put Yourself In The Place Absalom Was, Death Will Overtake You. Destruction will be your destiny. Expect it.
VII. HIS FATHER WAS WILLING TO DIE IN HIS PLACE. 18:33.
2Sa 18:33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! (KJV)
A. The Love Of Father Displayed.
1. “Oh, Absalom, I would have died for thee.”
B. John 3:16. God’s love displayed.
C. Romans 5:8. Jesus’ love was displayed.
Leave Absalom’s place today and accept the love of the Father.
Repent and trust Christ.
INVITATION:
www.bhbc.net
