Rebellion

Introduction

A. We are looking at the life of David and we have noticed a number of things. He loves God. He is far from perfect; yet, God still uses him. He is a poor father, but a beloved son will become king. David’s life reveals both victories and defeats. Receiving God’s promise to make his name well known among the people, David does things that challenge us. Yet, God loves him and honors him. Does David’s sin give us license to pursue that which is unholy? Hardly. A reading of Psalm 51 would convince us otherwise. Written after David’s sin with Bathsheba, David is distraught. He is a man who not only recognizes his sin but longs for the sin to be taken away — not just the guilt but the memory as well. Such doesn’t happen and David realizes that his sin has long term effect upon himself, his mind, and the people.

B. As we read through 2 Samuel we become aware of the results of David’s sin. We become aware, too, of God’s grace and mercy. Although David transgressed God’s divine law, God does not turn his back on David. Repenting of his sin, David pleads for God’s presence and love. God grants to David what he desires but he does not stop the consequences from happening. Instead, the results of David’s sin are a constant reminder to him. Tonight’s lesson focuses yet again on some of the consequences of David’s sin. David’s inability to shepherd his own children leads to a rebellion from his son, Absalom. Shame and disgrace become David’s friend for a time and tonight as we study the text, we will be struck with David’s complete defeat. But in the midst of that defeat there is hope. David turns once again to the God who has always provided and trusts him to do what is right for David and for his people. Let’s be encouraged.

Absalom’s Conspiracy

A. Absalom has returned from exile and it isn’t long before he begins taking on a new role in Jerusalem. He becomes a self-appointed judge for those who need justice from the king. Absalom would get up early in the morning and with his large entourage, he would position himself at the city gates to hear the cases of those who had come to petition King David. In 15:3, “there is no representative” is a way of telling us something very important. David has taken on too much. The king is to hear the most important cases. He has become swamped with so many cases that those who come to get a hearing cannot. Too many are being either turned away or ignored. It is these that Absalom hears. In addition to being a self appointed judge, Absalom also demonstrates his desire to align himself with the people. When they come with a problem and bow down to him, he quickly brings them to their feet and kisses them. In this manner, he aligns himself as an advocate for the people. Verse 6, the language demonstrates that Absalom dupes the people into believing that he cares.

B. After four years of playing the game of political rival, Absalom believes that he has enough support to overthrow his father. Traveling to Hebron he amasses a small army and from Hebron, Absalom declares himself king of Israel. David upon hearing the news immediately leaves Jerusalem. As he was as a young man, so he returns to running for his life except now he is older and less mobile. Various faithful friends stand by David. Some are sent back to Jerusalem to serve as spies for David. Others join him to offer protection and comfort. David hears of some who have turned on him and so he prays for their failure with Absalom. You can imagine the turmoil and the disorganization which is taking place. The king has become the exiled and the exiled has become king.

C. To add insult to injury literally, David then has to hear a man named Shimei curse him and to pelt him with stones. The boldness of this man is beyond belief. Although David is surrounded by his “secret service,” this man pelts David with stones. And for some distance he had to listen to this man’s curses and to feel the dirt being thrown on him. It is truly a moment of disgrace for David and his family.

Lessons

A. First, schemes devised in a person’s heart can be hidden. This is far from the main point of this story but it is a minor point which I want to briefly highlight. Absalom hid his true motives behind a facade of good things. He acted the role of confidante and righteous judge, but the truth was he was only trying to gain support for his ungodly actions. He even used religious reasons for amassing his army. The point is that motives can be hidden. It isn’t always possible to know what is going on in the heart and mind of a person. This is not to cause us to be cautious, but it is to remind us that it is important not to place our complete faith and trust in a person. Of course, we trust people, but our ultimate trust must be in God. Which leads to the second lesson.

B. Absalom didn’t have a chance of leading a rebellion unless there was discontent in David’s kingdom. Some believe that the dissatisfaction in David’s kingdom came from his handling of Bathsheba and Uriah and the casual way David regarded life. Even God recognized how much blood David had shed as king (1 Chronicles 22:8). The lesson for us to learn to be content. How difficult it is to accept how God has already blessed us. During David’s reign, Israel enjoyed great prosperity in wealth and in their relationship with God. Yet, there was a growing dissatisfaction with David’s reign as king. Learning to appreciate what we have is difficult. It is not wrong to be ambitious or to strive to improve oneself, but Absalom chose to do that in ways which did not honor his father or God. His dissatisfaction cost him his life.

C. Third, throughout this story, David trusts God to set things right. He shows a deep concern for those who are loyal to him and yet continues to wait for God to act. In 15:14, he encourages everyone to flee for their own safety. In 15:19-20, he offers release to Ittai and his men. In 15:25-26 he instructs the priests to return the ark to Jerusalem and leave it for God to decide what is best. In 15:31-34, David learns that one of his trusted advisors has joined Absalom so he prays for God to turn that man’s counsel to foolishness. At that time Hushai appears and David sends him back to Jerusalem to confound Ahithophel’s counsel. In 16:7-12 when Shemei cursed David, David accepts the cursing as possibly being from God and resists the urge to kill him. All through this text, David looks to God to make things right. If it is God’s will for him to return to Jerusalem, then he will and if it is God’s will that he should die, he will. David is determined to honor God even in the tough times.

i. What a great lesson for us. It is easy to honor God when times are good, but honoring God when things are hard and tough is not so easy. But isn't that really when faith is evident. Like Job of old, when things are going well it is easy to thank God, but it is more difficult to thank God when the times are not easy.

ii. But this is the nature of trust. We trust God when times are good and we must learn to trust God when times are not so good. David eventually returns to Jerusalem, but in the meantime he is a man disgraced. But David trusts God to do the right thing and David is willing to wait for God to act on his behalf. David demonstrates to us the nature of faith.

iii. Are you trusting God in the hard times as well as in the good times? God is able to bring about his will and purpose for you. Even in those hard times, he will act. Are you trusting him? Invitation.

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