(1) Absalom pushed for the opportunities to see David's face
He finally got to see David after he was called back from Geshur v.33. However, the Scriptures only give a very brief description, probably it was not the kind of welcome Absalom was looking for.
v.32b “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.” ’ Let me now see the face of the king. If I am at fault, let him put me to death!”
14:33 So Joab went to the king and informed him. The king summoned Absalom, and he came to the king. Absalom bowed down before the king with his face toward the ground and the king kissed him. (2) Then Absalom planned for 4 years to win the loyalty of the citizens of Israel 15:1-7. Why? What was the transition in the heart of Absalom? From the longing to be seen by David to the replacement of David when he did not get a warm welcome from him.
v.6b In this way Absalom won the loyalty of the citizens of Israel.
v.12b The conspiracy was gaining momentum, and the people were starting to side with Absalom.
I think what he was looking for was not just a welcome or even the forgiveness of David. He wanted to be forgiven then David would prepare him to be the inheritor to sit on the throne. Now, he did not feel that was coming so he made the opportunities for himself.
I think what he was looking for was not just a welcome or even the forgiveness of David. He wanted to be forgiven then David would prepare him to be the inheritor to sit on the throne. Now, he did not feel that was coming so he made the opportunities for himself.
(3) All the nice gestures he did to the people were for himself 15:1-6.
15:5 When someone approached to bow before him, Absalom would extend his hand and embrace him and kiss him.Absalom then lied to David his purpose to go to Hebron v.7-9.
15:8 For I made this vow when I was living in Geshur in Aram: ‘If the LORD really does allow me to return to Jerusalem, I will serve the LORD.’ ”
Lastly, he invited 200 guests from Jerusalem.
Lastly, he invited 200 guests from Jerusalem.
v.11b Since they were invited, they went naively and were unaware of what Absalom was planning
Reflection: Absalom was attractive in his appearance and people loved him v.25. Now, with his craftiness and strong will 14:30 he would no doubt become a great threat to David. Saul was the enemy of David, but he was more easier to be detected and therefore, David would defend. At the end of the book we see David was saved through the challenges from Absalom.
Reflection: Absalom was attractive in his appearance and people loved him v.25. Now, with his craftiness and strong will 14:30 he would no doubt become a great threat to David. Saul was the enemy of David, but he was more easier to be detected and therefore, David would defend. At the end of the book we see David was saved through the challenges from Absalom.
I thank God we have victory in Christ. Sometimes, our personal lives, our ministries are tough and not easy. Some of the challenges were obvious and we can pray for God's protection. Some of them are not, but God still protects us through until we look back then we recognize how close we have come.
Absalom was seen as a warm leader and embraced those who bowed to him. He stopped people to seek the king's judgment. Do we do that to God? We got all the praise people give to God? Or we give advice to people and do not direct them to God? Or worse, we serve other people so that we want other people to follow us, not God?
Audrey
2024
v.25-33
B:
1. Absalom was handsome and he was perfect in appearance. His daughter was very attractive. Note the degree of the his handsome
v.25 in all Israel everyone acknowledged that there was no man as handsome as Absalom
From the soles of his feet to the top of his head
26 he used to weigh the hair of his head at three pounds (EBC it is a sign of vanity, and he therefore cuts it only when it becomes too heavy for him)
2. Even though he was right to request to be seen by the king, his way to get it was not right. Just like he killed the rapist by his own hands. He burned the field of Joab so that he was willing to come to hear his request 28-31.
Q:
1. God sent Nathan, but not Joab to see David. 12:1 Joab only did that bc of what he saw about David v.1.
But they both used a fabricated story to make David to think through what he had done wrong.
2. Joab wanted to change the situation v.20, to give the murderer Absalom and exception of the punishment of the Law.
3. He was extremely handsome, and everyone acknowledged that. He used extreme measures to get his way e.g. murder, and burned other's property to get their attention to him. He want to be reconciled.
4. David should know that the tragedies happened in his family was the consequences of his own sin. He might be soft to Absalom because of that. However, he should also know that the murderer should be put into punishment. His pardon of his sin was not really on a theological solid base.
5. When I got mad at Mike that was my sin. That will make him unhappy and he needs time to forgive me.
15:1-12
B:
1. The plan of Absalom included not just the military preparation, but also the political support v.2-5. He knew that preparation in military only was not enough to change the kingship. He was a smart and prudent man with good preparation.
1 Absalom managed to acquire a chariot and horses, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard
2 Now Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate...4 Absalom would then say, “If only they would make me a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement.”
2. The way he gained support from the military or political was by deceiving and hypocrite
3 ...But there is no representative of the king who will listen to you
5 When someone approached to bow before him, Absalom would extend his hand and embrace him and kiss him... 6 ...In this way Absalom won the loyalty of the citizens of Israel.
11 Now 200 men had gone with Absalom from Jerusalem. Since they were invited, they went naively and were unaware of what Absalom was planning
Not only did he deceive the people, but also to his own father
7 After four years Absalom said to the king, “Let me go and repay my vow that I made to the LORD while I was in Hebron...10 Then Absalom sent spies through all the tribes of Israel who said, “When you hear the sound of the horn, you may assume that Absalom rules in Hebron.”
Finally, he deceived other with God's name and covered up with sacrifice to God
7 After four years Absalom said to the king, “Let me go and repay my vow that I made to the LORD
12 While he was offering sacrifices, Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s adviser, to come from his city, Giloh.
R:
Ab waited for 2 years and prepared the banquet for sheepshearers to murder Amnon (right motive, but wrong method). Now, he waited for 4 years and prepared the heart of Israel to take over the kingship from David (wrong motive, and wrong method). Why? Just because he did not get the favor from the king 14:33. He used all his wisdom, effort, and time in getting what he desire. Sadly, those are the sinful desires and sinful schemes that God was not pleased with. What a waste of life. Am I like him?
On the other hand, he was succeed to fulfill his sinful desires (including getting the attention of Joab in ch 14). Those "successes" became the nutrients to nurture his next sinful desires. Am I like that?
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