Absalom's Rebellion Against the King

INTRO

In 2 Samuel 13, David’s son Amnon raped his half-sister, Tamar. Her brother, Absalom, waited two years before having his men kill Amnon in retribution. King David was distraught with grief and mourned Amnon’s death daily. Absalom had to flee Israel and was gone three years before he and David were reconciled in chapter 14. In chapter 15, Absalom began to scheme against David’s throne and even declared himself king (2 Samuel 15:10). As Absalom and his army approached Jerusalem, David fled with his servants, and the people of Jerusalem followed (2 Samuel 15:14). When Absalom and David’s armies eventually face each other, 20,000 are killed (2 Samuel 18:6-8). That gives both the background on chapter 16 and a sense of where the conflict was heading.

TEACHING

2 Samuel 16:1–4: After David fled Jerusalem from Absalom’s approaching army, he was met by Mephibosheth’s servant Ziba, who had supplies for David and his servants (vv. 1-2). David asked where Mephibosheth was. Ziba responded that Mephibosheth had stayed behind, anticipating that Saul’s kingdom would be restored to him (v. 3). David then gave everything Mephibosheth owned to Ziba (v. 4). Although David accepted what Ziba said, there was a lie in it. Ziba was working on a set up to cover themselves.

2 Samuel 16:5–8: David went on to Bahurim. Shimei, son of Gera, a relative of Saul’s, came out of a house and began cursing at David and throwing stones at David and the people—the servants, the people from Jerusalem, and even David’s mighty soldiers (vv. 5–6). Shimei even accused David of being a murderer (2 Samuel 3:27-29; 4:1-12; 7:25-27) and told David that God had given his kingdom to Absalom (vv. 7-8). Shimei’s words were obviously not from the Lord, but there was some truth there as well.

2 Samuel 16:9–14: Abishai, David’s nephew, described Shimei as a “dead dog” and suggested David allow him to quiet Shimei by cutting his head off (v. 9). We saw the phrase “dead dog,” which meant worthless and despised, applied to Mephibosheth as well in his situation before David found him. David stated that Shimei was bringing the Lord’s word against him, and even his son Absalom was coming to kill him (v. 11). Instead of accepting Abishai’s suggestion, David showed patience and restraint (v. 12). Shimei continued to follow David and his men, cursing David and throwing stones and dirt at him (v. 13). Shimei had become David’s “thorn in the flesh,” a constant irritation that didn’t stop (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). The only way to handle this kind of attack is to find peace in the Lord. David and his servants were exhausted from this constant attack by the time they stopped for rest (v. 14).

2 Samuel 16:15–19: Meanwhile, Absalom and the Israelites who followed him arrived in Jerusalem. Ahithophel, one of David’s counselors, who was considered to be an “oracle of God,” was with him (v. 15). Possibly just as important is that Ahihophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather.¹In verse 16, David’s friend Hushai appeared before Absalom, proclaiming, “Long live the King!” Absalom asked where Hushai’s loyalty was (v. 17). Hushai responded that since he served the one the Lord had chosen, King David, Absalom's father, likewise he would serve the son (vv. 18-19).

2 Samuel 16:20–23: Absalom asked Ahithophel for advice for what to do next (v. 20). Ahithophel told Absalom to sleep with the ten concubines David left behind in Jerusalem so he would become repulsive to David (v. 21). By sleeping with David’s concubines, or unofficial wives, Absalom would be asserting his right to David’s throne.²Absalom had a tent pitched on the roof of the palace, and he took each of David’s concubines, allowing all of Israel to see what was happening (v. 22). This was all prophesied by Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:11-12 in an announcement of David’s sin. I wonder if some of Shimei’s curses included a statement about Nathan’s prophecy coming true. The advice Absalom received to take this action came from other family members. The chapter concludes with the statement that Ahithophel’s advice was accepted as someone who was speaking God’s word (v. 23).

CLOSING

When the enemy comes at us with lies and accusations, do we respond in strength and faith? Here are three suggestions:

1. Resist the lies of the enemy. The enemy is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44), who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). “Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Know the Father’s voice so you can distinguish it from the enemy’s. Followers of Christ know His voice (John 10:27), and continue in His word (John 8:31-32). And nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:12, 39).

Walk confidently in your position in Christ!We have been raised up with Christ and seated beside Him (Ephesians 2:6), who is above all rulers and authorities (Ephesians 1:20-21). He has rescued us from evil (Colossians 1:13-14; 2:14-15). Jesus took away the enemy’s most valued and used weapon—accusation—and transformed us into His image (Romans 12:2).

Once you start to embrace the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life, you will begin to walk out that anointing in 1 John 2:20 with confidence. This is what David had to get to, to walk out his anointing regardless of what comes his way.