Absalom Rebells

Impatient at the delays in working things out with father, and fearing he might name one of the other brothers as king. Absalonm decided to supplant David and usurp the throne.  II Samuel 15:1-6 describes the political actions he took to get people to support him.  “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.”

To make himself look important, Absalom hired fifty men to travel around with him, and chariots to haul them around. Like other politicians, he made a point of shaking hands with everyone and kissing all the babies, promising to give everyone what they wanted and blaming David for all the problems.  As so often happens, many people went for Absalom’s promises, never considering whether it would be possible to keep them.

By the time he was forty, Absalom thought he had enough people behind him to take over.  To cover what he was doing, he told David he had made a vow to offer sacrifices if God allowed him to return to Jerusalem and be reunited with his father, in II Samuel 15:7-8.  “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.”

Suspecting nothing, David encouraged him to go.  Absalom used the trip to get his supporters together and declare him king, in II Samuel 15:9-12.  “And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.  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.”

Even some of David’s trusted advisors had joined forces with Absalom.  Knowing Absalom had murdered his own brother, when David learned of the conspiracy, he had no doubt Absalom would kill him as well, as II Samuel 15:13-14 tells us.  “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.”

With little time to prpare, it would be difficult to prepare proper defenses, and the city might well be taken.  In his efforts to get his own way, David feared Absalom might well kill everyone in the city.  To withdraw would give them time to prepare their defenses and remove any reason for destroying the city, possibly saving many lives.   While it might seem like giving up, strategically it would be necessary if they were to ultimately win.