2 Samuel 15:1-37
15:1 Absalom began to boast his position as the king's son. He surrounded himself with a small army; everywhere he went, the large group preceded him. We learned in 2 Samuel 14:25 that Absalom is seen as a handsome man. As Absalom builds his reputation for being handsome and powerful, he begins a rebellion against his father.
15:2-3 Plotting the destruction of David's reputation as a compassionate and attentive king, Absalom would halt people from going to David for judgement on the cases they brought. For as a king, David served as a judge over matters people could not settle between themselves. Absalom told the people that David was unavailable. Further than that, Absalom sides with them on their cases, ingratiating himself to the population.
15:4-6 Absalom unofficially makes himself a judge. He redirects people seeking David toward himself and judges their matters with selfish and deceptive motive. He portrays himself as a kind and just king and "stole the hearts of the men of Israel." The problem is that while David is a servant of the people, Absalom is serving himself.
15:7-9 Absalom's plans to usurp his father are heavily underway; he has won favor with the people and now he has plans to create rumors of his own kingship. Absalom speaks to David and tells his father that he made a vow to God to visit Hebron. With David's permission, Absalom can go to Hebron, David's former headquarters.
15:10-12 With Absalom go hundreds of men to Hebron. Though the people in attendance as well as David believe it only to be a spiritual journey, Absalom plans for the group to look like a parade for a new king. Suddenly the rumors become rampant and David's position as king is no longer secure.
15:13 David realizes that Absalom has fragmented Israel; the people now look to David's son as king.
15:14 It becomes imperative that David must flee; Absalom's intentions are clear: he wishes to take the kingdom. David understands that while he is still alive, Absalom's reign will not be complete or official. Therefore David begins to fear for his life and the destruction of the tribes he has been working to reform.
15:15-18 David's servants remain loyal and travel with him to the outskirts of the city, offering support and protection.
15:19-20 As king, David improved relations between the children of Israel and other nations. At this time, David releases his allies from his service; he does not feel that they should have to participate in Israel's civil war.
15:21 Rather than depart, however, this man Ittai declares his faith in the God of Israel and chooses to remain with David. Ittai displays courage and bold faith; though he has a fair and reasonable opportunity to avoid the impending mess and destruction, he chooses to stand with God's chosen king.
15:22-23 Therefore the group continues to travel together across the Brook of Kidron (away from Jerusalem).
15:24 Zadok and the Levites travel with David; their responsibility has always been to protect the ark of God. They are the teachers of the faith and thus hold a very (perhaps the most) important position in society.
15:25 But David commands Zadok to return the ark of God to Jerusalem. David is a humble king and a faithful child of God. He believes that if he is meant to reign in Jerusalem as king, God will return him there. David feels that he does not have to travel with the ark of God because God will always keep His children connected to Him and precisely where they belong on earth.
Moreover, the ark of God does not need to flee. God's presence is absolute. No matter where David travels, God is powerful and present. No matter how cunningly Absalom plots, God's authority overrides.
15:26-29 David also knows that if God does want David removed from the city, he will not try to force his way back into it. David trusts God's decisions and even though his flaws displeased God at times, David trusts that God loves his repentant heart. He trusts that God is still looking out for him. David is willing to accept being dethroned by God if that is what He chooses.
David tells Zadok and the Levites to return, for it is essential that the teachers of the faith keep the faith alive among the tribes. After all, that is the point of everything: to unite people with their God. The feud between David and Absalom should not harm God's ultimate intention of establishing a connection between Himself and humanity.
David's ability to remove himself and his own problems from the greater picture make him a man after God's own heart. Before David, Saul fought desperately to retain his kingship. But David puts the will of God before everything, even if it means a complete reversal of his life.
15:30 But we must not mistake David's humility and strength for stone-heartedness. He climbs the Mount of Olives and weeps. There is a vast tear in his family life. His own son has made him an enemy. His position as king has been destroyed. His future is uncertain. He's left his family. David chooses to be strong in difficult moments.
15:31 David discovers that his wise-counselor pledges allegiance to Absalom and prays to God that the man will lose his ability to counsel wisely. He's distraught, the betrayal of those closest to him hits hard.
15:32-37 After worshiping God and spending time in His counsel, David has a plan. David decides to send one of his loyal servants, Hushai, to Absalom as a spy. He instructs Hushai to pretend he is switching allegiance so that David will have inside intelligence on Absalom's plans to oust David. Hushai will also have the support of Zadok and Abiathar the teachers of the faith.
