OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. "ABSALOM STOLE THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE" - (1-12)

II. DAVID FLEES JERUSALEM - (13-23)

III. DAVID ESTABLISHES HIS 'UNDERCOVER AGENTS' IN JERUSALEM - (24-29)

IV. THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF THE ANTI-CHRIST TYPIFIED IN ABSALOM - (30-37)

I. "ABSALOM STOLE THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE" - (1-12)

Absalom was a man who loved the pomp and circumstance of being a member of the royal family "...chariots ... horses...men to run before him." It is very obvious that once Absalom felt secure back home, that he had every intention of undermining his father's authority and government. Absalom "stood beside the way of the gate." The gate was the center of day to day business. It was in many respects the social center of the city, see: (Gen. 19:1; Prov. 31:23; Est. 2:19,20). Here Absalom set up "Absalom's Social Psychology Center," the name certainly has a ring to it. Absalom intercepted those tired, beleaguered, forlorn souls who would come to Jerusalem looking for the professional counseling of the king. The king, like Moses in his early days, handled all the crises at his "Crisis Control Center" located in the palace headquarters. Absalom would buttonhole those that had personal or financial problems convincing them that the king was too busy to discuss their personal problems. He then would offer his services as a more than capable substitute. Absalom was politicking. "Oh that I were made judge in the land ... I would do him justice." (vs. 4). In the original Hebrew it went something like this "...my father's too busy for the peasants but I am not...if I had the chance to do things, I'd do them differently, and I would be fair to everyone!" Every politician that ever was elected, was elected on the basis of promises of which 50% or more he could not fulfill even if he had all good intentions to do so.

Again our attention focuses on David's failures; did he allow Absalom to sow the discontent and discord knowingly? Probably. David's position of attending to administrative details, drew him away from public view at which point the general populace lost identification with their leader. Absalom's "Personal" approach won the hearts and affections of the people.

The Holy Spirit writes that "Absalom stole the hearts of the people." Absalom's motive is exposed for all to see.

The statement, "after forty years" causes many of the "bible scholars" all kinds of problems. The solution to the 'problem' is simply this, the forty years is a reference to Absalom's age at this time. We know that David only reigned a total of forty years, II Samuel 5:4. Obviously the forty years is not a reference to Absalom's standing in the gate for forty years. The time of Absalom's vow is not recorded. It is probably made (if at all) during his banishment to Geshur, noting the context.

Absalom plans the 'coup d'etat.' Verse ten holds some interesting prophetic possibilities. Note the trumpet signifying the beginning of the reign of Absalom (type of Anti-Christ). Verse eleven shows us that Absalom took advantage of the people's naiveté and ignorance.

Ahithophel, David's counselor, defects to the new regime. Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11:3; 23:34) and may have had a score to settle with the aging king. "And the conspiracy was strong..." (14:25;15:3,6).

 

II. DAVID FLEES JERUSALEM - (13-23)

The chapter is deeply prophetical in nature. David (type of Christ) receives news of his betrayal (vs. 13). Absalom and Ahithophel turn against the king. It is interesting to note that these two Judas's die by hanging. Ahithophel commits suicide (2 Sam. 17:23) in the manner of Jesus' disciple, Judas, (Matt. 27:51) ... and Absalom gets "tied up" in a tree (2 Sam. 18:9), by his curly locks.

"Let us flee," ...David would rather run than be forced into a confrontation with his own son, for he knows he would have to kill him. The flight pictures that of (Rev. 12:1-6 and Matt. 24:20).

David's mighty men aren't afraid to stand their ground (vs. 15) but are willing to do as the king requests. Remember, this is the fighting force of (1 Chron. 12:1,2,8,15,21,33)! As the king's entourage leaves town they leave ten concubines to "keep the house" but also to fulfill Nathan's prophecy of (12:11); see (16:21,22).

David has many loyal subjects, the Cherethites and Pelethites (1 Sam. 30:14; 1 Chron. 12), the Gittites (vs. 19), who voluntarily place themselves at David's disposal, along with a contingency of priests (vs. 24ff).

As they leave Jerusalem the scriptures tell us that "the king...passed over the brook Kidron," see (John 18:1,2); also (vss. 30, 31 of 2 Sam. 15)!

 

III. DAVID ESTABLISHES HIS UNDERCOVER AGENTS IN JERUSALEM - (24-29)

The Levites pack their bags intending to leave with David. The ark is assumably to go with David. David recognizes that the ark belongs in Jerusalem and tells Zadok to take the ark back to the city. "If I shall find favor, the Lord will bring me back to see the ark again, if not, then I accept this as God's will." (vss. 25,26). "...let him do to me as seemeth good unto him." (2 Sam. 10:12). David asks Zadok to keep him 'Posted' concerning the events that transpire upon his departure. "I'll return when you assure me that it is safe to do so" (vs. 28).

 

IV. THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF THE ANTI-CHRIST TYPIFIED IN ABSALOM - (30-37)

"And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet" (Matt. 26:30; Lk. 22:39) "...and he went barefoot" (Isa. 20:2,4; Ex. 3:5; Josh. 5:15), (vs. 30).

"Ahithophel is among the conspirators" (Matt. 26:47) "with Absalom."

David's reaction to the news of the betrayal is the proper way to respond to the situation. Instead of cursing Ahithophel, David prays and asks the Lord to "turn Ahithophel's counsel to foolishness."

"David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God" (Lk. 22:41ff; Matt. 26:36).

Hushai the Archite's arrival gives David an opportunity to "put wings" to his prayer of (vs. 31), a perfect example of faith and works. When God gives you the opportunity to answer your own prayer, it is the opportunity that is the God-given answer to your prayer. Hushai has the opportunity to do some valuable espionage work in the new regime. Working together with Zadok and Abiathar, David can maintain a strategic advantage over his son "...ye shall send unto me everything that ye can hear."

"And Absalom came into Jerusalem..." - (Matt. 24:15-21; Isa. 37:6-10; Dan. 11:44).