ABSALOM THE CONSPIRATOR: 2 SAMUEL 15

 This chapter begins a long section devoted to Absalom’s rebellion against David. It runs through chapter 19. You could call this section "The Rise And Fall Of Absalom".

Absalom Works Against David

15:1-6

Despite appearing to reconcile with David, Absalom began to undermine David. He went to the gate of the city and intercepted people coming to David to adjudicate disputes. He told them they had good claims, but the king would not hear them or appoint someone to do so. But, Absalom said he would administer justice in David’s place.

Absalom also curried favor with those who came to him, treating them as friends by hugging and kissing them. And by doing this, he turned the affections of many Israelites to himself and away from David. (8) He would say “oh that I were judge in the land!”. And people would agree with him. He and they thought things would be better if Absalom were king. 

Absalom also worked to appear like a king. He obtained a chariot and horses. He also hired 50 men to run before his chariot when he traveled around. 

Of course, David should have stopped this. No one but he should have pranced around in a chariot with footmen like an Egyptian pharaoh. This show, plus Absalom’s good looks, certainly caught the attention of people. David, however, seemed incapable of correcting or restraining his children. 

Absalom’s Conspiracy

15:7-12

After undermining David for 4 years, Absalom made his move. He obtained David’s permission to go to Hebron by lying about his intentions. He said he was going to fulfill a vow to the Lord. He wanted to worship (offer a sacrifice) because he was allowed to return to Jerusalem. David allowed Absalom to go. 

However, Absalom was actually plotting a coup. Hebron was symbolically significant. It was a sort of capitol of Judah. It had been awarded to Caleb and his family by Joshua. Abraham had lived near there and bought a cave from the Hittites as a burial site. Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah were buried there. David reigned over Judah for 7 years in Hebron. 

Absalom sent messengers through out the kingdom telling his supporters to declare him king when the signal was given. He also invited 200 men from Jerusalem to come and attend his sacrifices. These men did not know this was the beginning of a coup, but gave the appearance of Jerusalem turning against David. 

Lastly, Absalom brought in David’s own counselor, Ahithophel. This was to make it appear that David’s trusted counselor, who was greatly respected, had abandoned David and supported Absalom. 

More and more people rallied to Absalom and his conspiracy grew strong. 

David Flees

15:13-23

When David received news that the people were following Absalom, he decided to flee. Normally, a ruler tries to quash a rebellion and only flees if he realizes he cannot prevail. There is no indication here that the army has rebelled against David. Joab and Abishai are powerful and dangerous men still loyal to David, as were many others.

However, David did not fight Absalom. Part of his decision was that he did not want Absalom to attack Jerusalem. But he also seemed to be unwilling to confront Absalom and to rein him in.

David’s servants expressed their loyalty to David. David began to leave, taking all of his household with him except for 10 concubines who were left to take care of the king’s house.

But, as David paused at the edge of Jerusalem, many came who were loyal to him. His personal bodyguards, the Cherethites and Pelethites, came. They were all elite fighting men devoted to David.(18) 

There were also 600 men from Gath, in Philistia, Gittites that had come to support David. They were led by a man named Ittai. David offered him the opportunity to return home. But, Ittai swore allegiance to David and wanted to follow him. 

Notice that David referred to Absalom as the king! (19)

Others who did not leave with David were still loyal to him. Many people wept as David left Jerusalem and crossed the Brook Kidron, going east. (23)

The Priests Support David

15: 24-29

Abiathar and Zadok came to accompany David. Zadok brought all of the Levites. He also brought the Ark of the Covenant. This is an endorsement by the priests that David is the man God chose to be the king. But David sent them back with the ark into the city. 

David surrendered himself to the sovereignty of God. He said, if he found favor with God, God will bring him back into Jerusalem. He will see the ark and its tent. If not, David is will for God to do to him what God pleases to do. Although David does not seem capable to do anything to stop his son, he does still trust in God to act and accepts God’s will for him. He reminds us of Job, who said “Though he slay me, I will hope in him”. (Job 13:15) 

David did have one idea about dealing with this insurgency: he told the priests to use their sons as messengers to let David know what was going on in Jerusalem. 

David Walks In Mourning

15:20-31

After David met with the priests, he continued from the Brook Kidron up the Mount of Olives. He dressed as a mourner, not riding on the donkey with crown and robe, but barefoot with his head covered. The people with him did the same. David wept and his people wept with him.

This is the same path Jesus took on the night of his arrest. (John 18:1) 

When David received news that his trusted advisor, Ahithophel, was with Absalom and his co-conspirators, he turned to the Lord. He asked the Lord to turn Ahithophel’s words of counsel into foolishness. (31) 

Takeaways

David never reacted with anger during this episode. He never expressed anger toward God or even toward his rebellious son.

David may have assumed this was part of the consequences of his sin, the evil God said he would raise against David out of his own house. (2 Samuel 12:11)

David submitted himself to God in this worst of times. He would experience whatever the Lord had for him, whether for life or death. And when his trusted advisor betrayed him, David did not pray for vengeance, only that the advice given would be foolishness. 

Submission to God in good times is easy. It is in bad times that faith is tested.  

JOAB INTERVENES & SCHEMES - 2 Samuel 14

A Woman With A Story

14:1-7

Absalom was a schemer. Joab was also a schemer. He was loyal to David and concocted his schemes in order to protect him, even if it meant doing something David did not want to do. 

In this case, he tried to resolve David’s dilemma with Absalom. David missed Absalom while he was in exile, but would not bring him back to Jerusalem. Bringing him back had complications. Since Absalom committed murder, he should be punished for it. 

When God made made his covenant with Noah after the flood, he said he would require a reckoning for anyone who committed murder. He said “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image”. (Genesis 9:6) 

God prohibited murder in the Mosaic Covenant. One of the Ten Commandments is “you shall not murder”. (Exodus 20:13) The required punishment was the death of the murderer. (Numbers 35:30) 

Additionally, Mosaic Law allowed the death penalty to be enforced by “an avenger of blood” Numbers 35:19 says: “The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death”. The avenger would be the male relative closest to the deceased. 

It was possible, though, that David, as king, could get away with sparing Absolam’s life. But he was probably the closest male relative to his son. 

Joab took a page from Nathan’s speech to David. He recruited a woman and gave her a parable to tell David.  She presented it at first as a true story, but admitted it to be a parable. (19) Basically, the woman offered a scenario where one brother killed another, but should be spared punishment for the sake of the parent (the mother).

David Sympathizes

14:8-11

The story was meant to play upon David’s emotions, that having sympathy for the woman would lead him to pardon the guilty son. It worked. David pardoned the imaginary son and promised to protect him. 

The Woman Reprimands David

14:12-17

After getting the desired reaction from David, the woman went on to apply the parable to David and Absalom. She criticized David for keeping Absalom in exile, even saying God devised means for removing the banishment (without saying what those means are). She was saying “if you will protect my son, why will you not protect your own son?”. 

She also alluded to the popularity of Absalom, saying “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God?”. (13)

David Discerns Joab’s Involvement

14:18-20

David was smart enough to see through the ruse, though. He confronted the woman, asking her if Joab was involved. He said “is the hand of Joab with you in all this”. (19) The woman admitted Joab told her what to say, but added that he did it to change the course of things. (20)

In response, David told Joab to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem. His return was conditional, however. Absalom was to live in his own house and not come into David’s presence. (24) He was still to suffer a sort of exile. He did not have the king’s favor as the oldest (surviving) son.

A Brief Biography Of Absalom

14:21-27

The writer inserted a brief biography of Absalom at this point. (25) Absalom was very handsome. He had a great head of hair. He had three sons. He also had a daughter whom he named after his sister and who was beautiful like his sister. 

This insertion seems to be foreshadowing. Good looks are often a key to popularity. Absalom will become popular and us his popularity to undermine his father. 

Absalom Wants More

14:28-33

After two years of living like this, Absalom was dissatisfied. He died to summon Joab for help, but Joab did not respond. It is likely that Joab knew what Absalom would ask.

Not to be denied, Absalom set fire to one of Joab’s fields to get his attention. It worked. Joab came to see him. 

Absalom did request Joab’s assistance in getting into the presence of his father. Joab got it done. David and Absalom had at least a partial reconciliation as Absalom humbled himself before David and David kissed him. 

We will see, though, that Absalom had further ambitions.  

Takeaways

The people in this story are clever. They know how to manipulate people to get what they want. 

These people are not wise, however. They do not consult God through the prophet. They do not follow God’s law, though it is clear on this matter. 

At this point in the story, it would be easy to think that Absalom’s return was God’s blessing on him. But, we will see that it leads actually to more of God’s judgment on David. 

Two caveats: first, be careful with your ambitions. Philippians 2:3-4 says: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” This is in a church context, but does show that ambition can get out of hand. It is ok to want to succeed, but it is not ok to use sinful methods to do it. 

Second, control your temper. Otherwise you will make bad decisions with damaging consequences. “Be angry and do not sin; do to let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27

EVIL COMES TO THE HOUSE OF DAVID: 2 SAMUEL 12 & 13

The Ammonites Defeated

2 Samuel 12:26-31

Having competed the story of David’s sin with Bathsheba and his repentance, the author returns to the story of Israel’s war with the Ammonites. 

The Ammonites were long time enemies of Israel. They refused to aid Israel during the Exodus. They invaded Israel numerous times during the period of the judges. 

David had subjected them in previous battles. But, when the Ammonite king died, his son disrespected David’s representatives. In retaliation, David sent Joab and the army to attack Rabbah, the capitol city of the Ammonites. 

At this point in the story, Joab had defeated the Ammonite army and the Syrian mercenaries they hired. All that is left is to invade the city and take it over. 

We see that Joab is still loyal to David. Instead of taking the city himself, he sends a message to David telling him to come and lead the taking of the city so he will get the credit rather than Joab. It will help restore David’s leadership and reputation. 

So, David gathered additional fighters, led the attack of the city, and conquered it. He dethroned the king of Rabbah, taking his gold crown and having it put on his head to symbolize the he now ruled Rabbah. He eventually conquered all of the Ammonite cities. 

David despoiled the city, adding great wealth to himself. He also forced the people of the city to work for him making bricks. 

David returned to Jerusalem as a conquering hero. God was with him again to give him success. But, the words of God spoken through Nathan the prophet would still come true.

Evil Comes To David’s House: Ammon and Tamar

13:1-19

As a consequence of David’s sins, God told David through Nathan that “I will raise up evil against you out of your house”. (12:11) It began with this episode.

Amnon was David’s first son. After Saul’s daughter Michal was taken away from David, he married Ahinoam of Jezreel. Amnon was born of this marriage.

David also married Maacah, daughter of the king of Geshur. They had a daughter, named Tamar, who was beautiful. They also had a son named Absalom. So, Tamar and Absalom were brother and sister. Amnon was the half brother of Tamar.

Amnon developed an obsession with his half sister. He wanted to have sex with her so badly he made himself sick. (2) 

Enter Jonadab, David’s nephew through his older brother, Shimeah. Shimeah was Jesse’s third son. (1 Samuel 16:9) So, Jonadab was a cousin to Amnon. They were obviously close. The Hebrew word translated here as  “friend” can also mean advisor.

Jonadab was “very crafty”. He devised a plan for Amnon to be alone with Tamar. Amnon was to pretend he was sick so that he could get David to send Tamar to him to make cakes and feed them to him. Amnon followed his advice.

David did indeed come to see Amnon when he heard he was in bed sick. And he granted Amnon’s request. David appears naive here, since there was no reason Amnon needed his half sister to feed him by hand to make him well. He had servants to make him food and feed him if that was necessary. 

Tamar obeyed David, came to Amnon’s house, made the cakes and gave them to Amon. Amnon had all the servants sent away. He tried to get Tamar to have sex with him. She refused and begged him not to violate her. (12)

Tamar appealed to Amnon’s sense of right and wrong. she called this an outrageous thing that is not done in Israel. God prohibited a man from having sex with his sister or half sister. (Leviticus 18:9) 

Tamar also appealed he Amon based on the difficulty it would cause her. She would be shamed, likely unable to marry or have any standing in Israel.

She also appealed to Amnon’s own reputation. He would be considered an outrageous fool. (13) 

Finally, she begged Amnon to ask David for permission to marry her, saying David would grant the request. This is difficult to believe, since it would be a sin and David had just repented of his own sexual sin. It may be that Tamar was just trying to escape and not anger Amnon.

Nonetheless, Amnon was consumed by his lust and disregarded all of her arguments. He raped her.

Amnon Sends Tamar Away In Shame

13:15-19

After raping Tamar, Amnon hated her. He sent her away. She pleaded with him not to send her away, saying this was worse than violating her. She probably meant that Amnon should marry her as the law required. 

Exodus 22:16 says:

“If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her his wife.” 

Deuteronomy 22:28-29  says:

“If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he has violated her. He may not divorce her all his days.” 

Despite this, Amnon had a servant remove Tamar. He objectified her, calling her “this woman”, not “my sister” or her name. 

Tamar reacted to the shame with mourning, tearing her robe, putting ashes on her head, and crying loudly. 

Amnon committed great evil as Nathan foretold. His actions set off a long stream of conflict in David’s house, resulting to the sword coming to the house as Nathan foretold. 

In these two stories, David appears not as a great leader, but as passive. In the war, Joab saves him by spurring him to action. But with Amnon, David does nothing. His passivity set off a further string of evil events. 

Absalom Finds Out

13:20-22

Word got out about Amnon’s violation of his sister. David was very angry but did not do anything. He did not impose justice on Amnon. He did not exonerate Tamar. This is a huge failure with huge consequences. 

Tamar went to live with her brother Absalom. He also found out what happened. He advised Tamar to keep quiet about it. She was desolate, but did what he said. 

Absalom did not speak about the matter, either. But he hated Amnon for what he did and bided his time to avenge her. 

Takeaways

We see in this passage the beginning of the fulfillment of God's word spoken by Nathan the prophet. God does what he says he will do.

We see how the verses in James about sin and temptation play out. Amnon's lust bloomed into sin and we will see in the next study how that sin leads to death.