SS- Absalom Usurps the Throne - 2 Samuel 15

2 Samuel 15 Absalom Usurps the Throne 2 Samuel 15:1-6 After this it happened that I. Absalom's Plot to Steal the Throne Absalom provided himself with chariots and A. Absalom won the peoples hearts 2 horses, and fifty men to run before him. Now 1. He provided himself symbols of Absalom would rise early and stand beside the kingship (men horses and chariots) way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who 2. He undermined the king's ability to had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that judge Absalom would call to him and say, "What city are a. He would engage the people you from?" And he would say, "Your servant is b. He would validate their case 3 from such and such a tribe of Israel." Then c. He would point out that the king Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case is had not time to hear their case good and right; but there is no deputy of the king 3. He promoted his own ability to judge to hear you." 4 Moreover Absalom would say, "Oh, a. He promised he would give that I were made judge in the land, and everyone everyone justice who came to him who has any suit or cause would come to me; b. He accepted the honor given to then I would give him justice." 5 And so it was, him by the people. whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, B. Absalom to the opportunity to win the that he would put out his hand and take him and loyalty of the people to himself kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 15:7-9 Now it came to pass after forty II. Absalom Takes Leave of the King years that Absalom said to the king, "Please, let A. 40 years – some manuscripts “four” me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to which is probably more likely. the LORD. 8 "For your servant took a vow while I B. Absalom asks to go to Hebron dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, 'If the LORD 1. To pay a vow indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will 2. To the Lord serve the LORD.' " 9 And the king said to him, "Go 3. Because he returned in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron. 4. Then he will serve the Lord C. David gives him permission 2 Samuel 15:10-13 Then Absalom sent spies III. Absalom Wins Support throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon A. Absalom sends spies as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you Spies – from a root “to go a bout on foot” shall say, 'Absalom reigns in Hebron!' " 11 And with can carry the idea of “slander” Absalom went two hundred men invited from 1. To all the tribes of Israel Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and 2. To announce Absalom's reign did not know anything. 12 Then Absalom sent for B. Absalom invites men from Jerusalem Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from 1. 200 men his city -- from Giloh -- while he offered sacrifices. 2. They did not know why the came And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people C. Absalom sent for David's counselor with Absalom continually increased in number. 13 Ahithopel – the Gilonite – Grandfather of Now a messenger came to David, saying, "The Bathsheba hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom." D. Absalom offered sacrifices E. Absalom's support kept growing stronger F. David hears news of Absalom 2 Samuel 15:14-18 So David said to all his IV. David Flees Jerusalem servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, A. David takes his servants and let us flee; or we shall not escape from 1. David flees quickly Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake 2. His servants follow faithfully us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike B. David leaves 10 concubines behind the city with the edge of the sword." 15 And the king's servants said to the king, "We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands." 16 Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house. 17 And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts. 18 Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king. C. David stops at the outskirts 1. His servants keep going before him 2. 600 men in all 2 Samuel 15:19-23 Then the king said to Ittai the V. Ittai Shows His loyalty to David Gittite, "Why are you also going with us? Return A. David commands Ittai to remain behind and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner 1. Remain with Absalom and also an exile from your own place. 20 "In fact, 2. Because he is a foreigner you came only yesterday. Should I make you 3. Because he is exiled from his home wander up and down with us today, since I go I 4. Because David does not want to know not where? Return, and take your brethren cause him more hardship back. Mercy and truth be with you." 21 And Ittai B. Ittai desires to remain with David answered the king and said, "As the LORD lives, 1. Wherever David is and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever 2. Whether in life or death place my lord the king shall be, whether in death 3. He will stay with David or life, even there also your servant will be." 22 So C. David allows Ittai and his family to stay David said to Ittai, "Go, and cross over." Then Ittai with him the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones D. The people mourn for David who were with him crossed over. 23 And all the E. David follow last after the people country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness. 2 Samuel 15:24-29 There was Zadok also, and VI. Zadok Remains in Jerusalem all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the A. Zadok and the Levites were following covenant of God. And they set down the ark of David God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had 1. They had brought the ark finished crossing over from the city. 25 Then the B. David send them back king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into 1. If God will show David favor, he will the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He return will bring me back and show me both it and His 2. If not, He will do what He deems best dwelling place. 26 "But if He says thus: 'I have no C. David sends Zadok back so that he can delight in you,' here I am, let Him do to me as bring news to David seems good to Him." 27 The king also said to D. Zadok and the Levites return Zadok the priest, "Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 "See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me." 29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there. 2 Samuel 15:30 - 37 So David went up by the VII. David Places a Spy in Jerusalem Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he A. David leaves went up; and he had his head covered and went 1. Via the Mount of Olives barefoot. And all the people who were with him 2. Mourning covered their heads and went up, weeping as they B. David hears of Ahithophel's betrayal went up. 31 Then someone told David, saying, C. David prays for the Lord to work against "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Ahithophel's counsel Absalom." And David said, "O LORD, I pray, turn D. David worship's God the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!" 32 E. Hushai comes to David Now it happened when David had come to the top 1. He was mourning also of the mountain, where he worshiped God -- there 2. David sends him back – he will hust was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with be a burden to David his robe torn and dust on his head. 33 David said 3. David gives him a mission to him, "If you go on with me, then you will a. Pretend to serve Absalom become a burden to me. 34 "But if you return to b. Defeat the counsel of Ahithophel the city, and say to Absalom, 'I will be your c. Report all that happens to the servant, O king; as I was your father's servant priests previously, so I will now also be your servant,' then d. Then the priests will send you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me. messengers to David 35 "And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the F. Hushai returns and does what David tells priests with you there? Therefore it will be that him to do. whatever you hear from the king's house, you shall tell to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 "Indeed they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear." 37 So Hushai, David's friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem. Takeaways: • David stopped to worship God as he was fleeing from Absalom. Our worship of God does not depend upon our circumstances, but on God Himself, who does not change. Therefore, not matter if we are doing well or if we are troubled, God still deserves our worship. • David accepts God's judgment of him for His sin and places his fate in God's hands. David understands if God is to show him favor, He is able to bring him back to Jerusalem to be the king once again, and if God's punishment leads to David never returning to be king, then God is still righteous in His actions. God is always right and good in His judgments. We can trust Him and we should always acknowledge God's righteous character. • David prays for God to frustrate Ahithophel's council – then God answers David's prayer by providing Hushai to be the man to do just that. We should not be surprised when God answers our prayers. He hears His saints and wants to act on their behalf. He cares for you.