David and Absalom

MEMORY VERSE: “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.” —Proverbs 10:1

II SAMUEL 15:10-13; 18:31-33

ABSALOM was the third son of David. His mother was Maacah, daughter of Talmai, who was king of Geshur, a Syrian district adjoining the northeast frontier of the Holy Land. (II Sam. 3:1-5; 15:8) He is scarcely mentioned until after David had committed that great crime, the consequences of which plagued him in his old age. Then Absalom appears as the instrument to fulfill the prophecy concerning David that evil would be raised up against him out of his own house.—II Sam. 12:11

The circumstances leading up to Absalom’s attempt to wrest the rulership of Israel from the hands of his father David, his failure and death, are related in II Samuel, chapters 15-19. In view of David’s popularity with the people, and the justice of his rulership, it is surprising that Absalom could make as much headway as he did in usurping his father’s position.

However, the record shows that Absalom was a handsome man. He was spectacular, a beautiful prince, with long, wavy hair. He rode in his chariot, and before him were fifty swift runners, his heralds. The thoughtless people admired this. He was very gracious to everyone, always ready to hear their complaints, and implied that if he were king they would receive more prompt attention. Thus by deception and intrigue he “stole the hearts of the men of Israel” from his father. (II Sam. 15:6,13) Apparently the people began to think that Absalom would make a much better king than David.

Absalom recruited an army and proclaimed himself king. He did this so quickly and so efficiently, with the sympathy and help of so many whose hearts he had stolen, that King David and his regular army and the loyal ones of his court were caught unawares and obliged to flee for their lives. Absalom, in the flush of this first victory, set himself up as king in Jerusalem, and then sent an army to kill David and destroy his army. But victory came to David and his army, and Absalom, having his head caught in the limb of a tree, and thus snatched from the back of his mule, was slain by Joab and his men, although contrary to David’s request that his life be spared.—II Sam. 18:5,9-17

What a contrast we have here between the man after God’s own heart and the man whom the people admired—the flashy, the ambitious, the rebellious son who sought his father’s life! (I Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22; Ps. 89,20) Notwithstanding David’s weaknesses, which were acknowledged and repented of, he had a heart of loyalty to God, and he had a sympathetic love for his son which found expression in that notable dirge, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! “—II Sam. 18:33

The 3rd Psalm is attributed to David when he fled from Absalom. It reflects his complete trust in the Lord even under those most trying circumstances. He wrote, “Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people.”

“I laid me down and slept,” David wrote. What a complete trust in the Lord this represents! It reminds us of the time when Peter was in prison, and marked for execution the next day. He also slept.—Acts 12:19

QUESTIONS

Who was Absalom, and what prophecy was he instrumental in fulfilling?

Explain how Absalom stole the hearts of the people away from David.

How did David express his confidence in the Lord during Absalom’s rebellion?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |