Absalom’s Conspiracy

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Absalom’s Conspiracy

Date: Nov. 1, 2024

Passage

2 Samuel 15:1-12 (ESV)

1 After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And when he said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,” 3 Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you.” 4 Then Absalom would say, “Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.” 5 And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 And at the end of four years Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron. 8 For your servant vowed a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the LORD will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to the LORD.’” 9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, ‘Absalom is king at Hebron!’” 11 With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing. 12 And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 15:6

Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

After his reconciliation with David, Absalom prepared to rebel. But first, he needed the hearts of the people. He organized chariots, horses, and 50 bodyguards for himself as if he were king. He stood by the city gate and met those who came to the king for trial. He stirred up discontent, inducing complaints against the king. Absalom was political. He skillfully acted as if he were a fair and humble leader who could reform the current situation and replace the king. After winning people’s hearts for four years, he carried out the next step of his plan to commit treason by making himself king in Hebron. Knowing that he needed people to endorse his kingship, he took 200 men from Jerusalem and invited David’s counselor Ahithophel. In this way, the conspiracy grew strong.

Absalom succeeded in his rebellion, but he forgot what was vital. Although he could fool people, he could not fool God. Even if he could deceive and steal people’s hearts, he couldn’t deceive the heart of God. Absalom also ignored the fact that a king of Israel was not made by his own strength, nor people’s support, but by God’s anointing. Are we putting our trust in the eyes of people and their judgment or in the eyes of God? At the center of our decisions must be God who is in control.

Prayer: Lord, my life can be built on your will. Help me to walk in your way and trust your leadership.

One Word: Submit to God’s will humbly

Misery of Disobedience

Genesis 34:1-31

Key Verse: 34:30

Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. My numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my household.”

Today's Question

What does the beginning of the Lord's prayer teach us?

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