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Rebellion of Absalom, David’s Son
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with their sufferings and regret at the inefficiency of the government.
“‘Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any
suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.’ And
so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he
would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.”
Rebellion Grows Underground
Discontent with the government was spreading fast, stirred up
and encouraged by the prince. Absalom was generally regarded
as heir to the kingdom, and many wanted him to sit on the throne.
“So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” Yet the king
suspected nothing. David thought the princely role that Absalom
had assumed was intended to give honor to his court.
Absalom secretly sent chosen men throughout the tribes to lay
plans for revolt, and now he used religious devotion as a covering
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to conceal his traitorous plans. Absalom said to the king, “Please,
let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the Lord. For
your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If
the Lord indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the
Lord.’”
The fond father, comforted with this appearance of piety in
his son, sent him away with his blessing. Absalom planned his
crowning act of hypocrisy not only to blind the king but to secure
the confidence of the people. In this way he would lead them on to
rebellion against the king whom God had chosen.
Absalom set out for Hebron, and with him “two hundred men
invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did
not know anything.” These men went, never thinking that their love
for the son was leading them into rebellion against the father. At
Hebron, Absalom called for Ahithophel, a man famous for wisdom.
Ahithophel’s support made Absalom’s cause appear certain to suc-
ceed, attracting many influential men to his ranks. As the trumpet of
revolt sounded, the prince’s spies throughout the country spread the
news that Absalom was king, and many of the people gathered to
him.