When Trusted People Become Conspirators
In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him. He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, ‘’What town are you from?’’ . . . Then Absalom would say to him, ‘’Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.’’ And Absalom would add, ‘’If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.’’
Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, ‘’Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the LORD.’’
. . . Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, ‘’As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ ‘’ Two hundred men . . . accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter. . . . Absalom . . . also sent for Ahithophel . . . David’s counselor . . . And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing. 2 Samuel 15:1-12.
Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, ‘’Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the LORD.’’
. . . Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, ‘’As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ ‘’ Two hundred men . . . accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter. . . . Absalom . . . also sent for Ahithophel . . . David’s counselor . . . And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing. 2 Samuel 15:1-12.
One of David’s greatest weaknesses was his seeming inability to discipline his family. He loved God with all his heart. He was a mighty warrior. Even though David was a slayer of giants, he was unable to slay any unruliness in his family. His wife Michal seemed to have no respect for him as he danced in the streets of Jerusalem. David came home to face a barrage of insults and disrespect from her. His son raped his beautiful daughter, Tamar. This resulted in Absalom, Tamar’s brother, murdering Amnon the rapist. Absalom fled after the murder only to be pardoned and allowed back into town. Absalom even burned the field of the army commander just to get his attention. He was a very spoiled brat.
Upon his return, Absalom developed wings to fly and undermine the very authority of King David. How in the world could David watch Absalom turn the hearts of the people of Israel against God’s appointed leader? How could he watch him have a horse and chariot parading around town with fifty men running in front of him? How could he be allowed to stand at the city gate and bad-mouth his own father and king? How could David overlook this for four long years until Absalom deceptively influenced all Israel including a trusted counselor of David?
The truth is the heart of man is desperately wicked as the Bible says (Jeremiah 17:9).
Even trusted people can become Absaloms because of their personal hunger for power and recognition. Under the guise of helping people, they worm their way deceptively into the hearts of people and turn them against the appointed leadership. It happens in families, government, businesses, workplaces, and even in churches. When the spirit of Absalom is not discerned and curtailed, much damage can be done wherever it rears its ugly head.
So, question: Is there an Absalom who is seeking to win your heart against your leader or are you an Absalom yourself? When left undiscerned, the spirit of Absalom can cause trusted people to become conspirators to the detriment of all. Absalom rose up against his own father!
Upon his return, Absalom developed wings to fly and undermine the very authority of King David. How in the world could David watch Absalom turn the hearts of the people of Israel against God’s appointed leader? How could he watch him have a horse and chariot parading around town with fifty men running in front of him? How could he be allowed to stand at the city gate and bad-mouth his own father and king? How could David overlook this for four long years until Absalom deceptively influenced all Israel including a trusted counselor of David?
The truth is the heart of man is desperately wicked as the Bible says (Jeremiah 17:9).
Even trusted people can become Absaloms because of their personal hunger for power and recognition. Under the guise of helping people, they worm their way deceptively into the hearts of people and turn them against the appointed leadership. It happens in families, government, businesses, workplaces, and even in churches. When the spirit of Absalom is not discerned and curtailed, much damage can be done wherever it rears its ugly head.
So, question: Is there an Absalom who is seeking to win your heart against your leader or are you an Absalom yourself? When left undiscerned, the spirit of Absalom can cause trusted people to become conspirators to the detriment of all. Absalom rose up against his own father!
Prayer: Father, I pray that you would help me to discern any spirit of Absalom that could cause me to turn against your established leadership. Also please help me not to become an Absalom myself. Amen.