II Samuel 15:1-16
“And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 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 art thou?
And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
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 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!
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. 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.” (II Samuel 15:1-6)
Absalom began to make an effort to usurp the kingdom. First he hired a group of men and chariots to go with him everywhere to attract attention and make it look like he was an important person. He began to meet everyone who came to town for court cases, asking where they were from and telling them that they had a good case and should be the winners, based on their statement, with no consideration of the other side, and complaining that David had not established an official court system to hear their case, and declaring that if he were king he’d see to it that they had a better court system.
It is flattering to be told you are right, and as long as he was not king, he could tell everybody what they wanted to hear with no concern for the consequences. David, on the other hand, had to worry about the consequences of his decisions. Because he had nothing else to do, Absalom could spend all his time talking to people and campaigning, kissing babies and shaking hands. As a result of his campaigning, as the verse says, he stole the hearts of the people.
He used the same tactics crooked politicians have used throughout history to deceive people and steal control from more caring and honest leaders.
“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. 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.
And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.” (II Samuel 15:7-9)
When he turned forty, Absalom decided to make his move. He told David he had promised God he would serve him if he was allowed to return to Israel, and requested permission to go to Hebron to fulfill his vow. David encouraged him, never suspecting anything.
“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.
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. 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.” (II Samuel 15:10-12)
Hebron was where David had been declared king by the tribe of Judah, and Absalom convinced a number of unsuspecting leaders from Jerusalem, from David’s own tribe to go with him, to leave the impression that the tribe of Judah supported replacing David. He also convinced one of David’s most influential advisors to go along with him, probably with the idea that David was getting old and by joining up now he could ensure his position with the new regime.
With such a strong and legitimate appearing movement, people flocked to get on board much like they did when it began to appear Obama would be elected.
“And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
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.” (II Samuel 15:13-14)
Absalom had murdered his own brother, and burned Joab’s field to get his way, and David was sure he would murder anyone who stood in his way. Caught by surprise, David ordered his followers to flee to give them time to marshal his supporters and find out who remained loyal. If they remained, Absalom would be able to catch them before they could get organized and would not hesitate to kill everyone he suspected of supporting David.
“And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.” (II Samuel 15:15-16)
David left behind ten of his common law wives to take care of the property, convinced that since they had no legal claim, Absalom would have no reason to harm them.
“And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 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 art thou?
And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
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 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!
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. 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.” (II Samuel 15:1-6)
Absalom began to make an effort to usurp the kingdom. First he hired a group of men and chariots to go with him everywhere to attract attention and make it look like he was an important person. He began to meet everyone who came to town for court cases, asking where they were from and telling them that they had a good case and should be the winners, based on their statement, with no consideration of the other side, and complaining that David had not established an official court system to hear their case, and declaring that if he were king he’d see to it that they had a better court system.
It is flattering to be told you are right, and as long as he was not king, he could tell everybody what they wanted to hear with no concern for the consequences. David, on the other hand, had to worry about the consequences of his decisions. Because he had nothing else to do, Absalom could spend all his time talking to people and campaigning, kissing babies and shaking hands. As a result of his campaigning, as the verse says, he stole the hearts of the people.
He used the same tactics crooked politicians have used throughout history to deceive people and steal control from more caring and honest leaders.
“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. 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.
And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.” (II Samuel 15:7-9)
When he turned forty, Absalom decided to make his move. He told David he had promised God he would serve him if he was allowed to return to Israel, and requested permission to go to Hebron to fulfill his vow. David encouraged him, never suspecting anything.
“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.
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. 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.” (II Samuel 15:10-12)
Hebron was where David had been declared king by the tribe of Judah, and Absalom convinced a number of unsuspecting leaders from Jerusalem, from David’s own tribe to go with him, to leave the impression that the tribe of Judah supported replacing David. He also convinced one of David’s most influential advisors to go along with him, probably with the idea that David was getting old and by joining up now he could ensure his position with the new regime.
With such a strong and legitimate appearing movement, people flocked to get on board much like they did when it began to appear Obama would be elected.
“And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
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.” (II Samuel 15:13-14)
Absalom had murdered his own brother, and burned Joab’s field to get his way, and David was sure he would murder anyone who stood in his way. Caught by surprise, David ordered his followers to flee to give them time to marshal his supporters and find out who remained loyal. If they remained, Absalom would be able to catch them before they could get organized and would not hesitate to kill everyone he suspected of supporting David.
“And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.” (II Samuel 15:15-16)
David left behind ten of his common law wives to take care of the property, convinced that since they had no legal claim, Absalom would have no reason to harm them.
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