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.
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