2 Samuel 15:1-37
William Booth was greatly stirred by the needs of the
poor of London, and realized that most churches were
doing nothing to reach the “undesirables”—drunkards,
morphine addicts, prostitutes, and the poor. He set out to
reach them with what he called the 3 S’s: soup, soap and
salvation.
Thousands were saved among those that most churches
had no interest in reaching. Booth gave his life for the
cause of reaching others.
In his 80s, Booth’s work began to be hindered by
blindness. He briefly lost his sight and then recovered it,
but later he lost his vision permanently. His son Bramwell
came to bring him the bad news that he would never see
again. Booth replied,
“God must know best, Bramwell. I
have done what I could for God and the people with my
eyes. Now I shall do what I can for God and the people
without my eyes.”
Source: The General: William Booth, Volume 2, David Bennet
Last week we saw a whole lot of scheming: Joab, David
and Absalom were all involved in some type of scheme.
The chapter ends with Absalom coming before David and
David kisses him. There was no record of Absalom
repenting or of David’s forgiveness.
In 2 Samuel 15 we are going to see how Absalom
undermines David in an attempt to steal his throne.
2 Samuel 15:1-12
3 Reasons Absalom was successful at undermining David
He was Alluring
He came out riding in a chariot and
had 50 men run in front of him to announce him.
Remember how chapter 14 described him – in Israel there
was no one so much to be praised for his handsome
appearance as Absalom. v.25
He was Accommodating
Every day he would go out
to the city gate and wait for people to come with their
disputes for the king. But rather than hearing them out
and making a just decision, he told everyone that their
claims were good and right. He promised to be the yes
man for everyone.
Notice how he doesn’t throw David under the bus
directly. He just alludes to wishing he were the judge so
he could give everyone what they wanted.
He was Attentive
When people came to pay homage
to him he would put out his hand and take hold of him
and kiss him.
The people fell in love with him. The author says Absalom
stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
After 4 years of undermining David, Absalom decides to
take it to another level.
Absalom Lies
To David
He makes up a lie about making a vow when he was in
Hebron.
He tells David that he promised God if He would get him
back to Jerusalem he would offer Him worship.
Hebron was the first place that David ruled as king over
Judah.
David tells Absalom to “Go in Peace”.
It’s interesting because Absalom has no plans for peace.
And the one who would actually become king – Solomon –
his name comes from the root word peace.
Also, these are the last words David speaks to Absalom.
To Israel
Absalom sends secret messengers throughout all Israel
telling them “as soon as you hear the sound of the
trumpet, then say,
‘Absalom is king of Hebron!”
Absalom Recruits 200 men from Jerusalem to go with
him, but they knew nothing about Absalom’s conspiracy.
He also recruited Ahithophel, David’s counselor.
The conspiracy grew strong and Absalom kept increasing.
2 Samuel 15:13-23
David Flees into the Wilderness
A messenger brought the news that the people have
begun to follow Absalom.
David knew that Absalom was dangerous so he decided
to leave Jerusalem. He saw how patient he was, waiting
two full years before exacting revenge on his brother for
raping his sister.
David tells his servants that they are going to leave
before Absalom comes back to kill them all.
I like how the servants say they are ready to do whatever
the king decides.
They are willing to fight or they are willing to flee.
They serve at the request of the king.
Despite Absalom’s growing popularity, David still
has some faithful followers.
David is no stranger to being in the wilderness.
Remember how long he wandered while Saul was
attempting to kill him.
He also knows that God has protected him thus far.
As they are leaving Jerusalem, David stops at the last
house and all his servants pass by him. They are loyal to
king David.
Hundreds of men willing to do whatever David commands
them to do.
Ittai’s Loyalty
What is surprising is the response from Ittai the Gittite.
David tells him he has no responsibility to go into exile
with him because he has just come to Jerusalem the day
before.
Ittai tells David wherever you go my king, I will go too.
Even to death.
It reminds me of Ruth’s response to Naomi when she told
her to go back to her country. Where you go I will go,
where you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my
people and your God my God.
It’s a beautiful tribute of loyalty to David here by Ittai.
Verse 23 tells us all the people wept aloud as they all
passed toward the wilderness. David, the man after God’s
own heart has now been rejected by the majority of
Israel. They are following after Absalom.
2 Samuel 15:24-29
The Ark of the Covenant Returned to Jerusalem
Notice David’s faith as he tells Abiathar to keep the ark in
Jerusalem. If God wants him to come back, He will allow
it.
David trusts God’s plan wholeheartedly.
David told Abiathar and Zadok to go back to the city in
peace with their sons so they could keep watch for David
and report back to him what Absalom was doing.
2 Samuel 15:30-37
David’s Grief
As David and his men went up the Mount of Olives, they
wept and had their heads covered.
Then things got worse as word arrived that Ahithophel
had joined forces with Absalom in the conspiracy.
David voices a quick prayer asking God to turn
Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.
As David approached the summit, he saw his friend
Hushai, the Archite.
David’s Scheme
David tells Hushai it would be better for him to go back to
Jerusalem and offer to be Absalom’s servant just like he
was for David.
He reminds Hushai that the priests are there and he
wants him to tell them everything and have them report
it back to David.
This was a clever way to keep an eye on the enemy at an
arm’s length.
APPLICATION
The Christian life is not without trials.
Saul attempted to kill David and chased after him for
decades.
David kept his faith and trusted that God would keep His
promise.
God never promises that it is going to be easy to follow
Him.
Jesus told His disciples,
“if the world hates you, know
that it has hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18
Peters says not to be surprised by the fiery trial like
something strange is happening.
James says to consider it pure joy when we face trials of
many kinds.
We are in good company when we go through trials.
When we are in a valley, prayer is our most valuable
weapon.
God speaks to us through prayer and guides us to do His
will.
Embrace your trials and trust God to accomplish His
will in every situation.