Good Morning Friends,
David forgave Absalom and took him back into
relationship. He loved Absalom and trusted him. But Absalom brought rebellion
to the house of David.
Absalom won the hearts of the people through
deceit. “Absalom would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading
to the city gate. When anyone came with a complaint to the king for a decision,
Absalom would call out, ‘What town are you from?’ Then Absalom would say to
him, ‘Your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the
king to hear you.’ Absalom would add, ‘If only I were judge in the land! I
would see that everyone gets justice.’ When anyone approached him to bow down
before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. And
so Absalom stole the hearts of Israel.” (2 Samuel 15:1-6)
Absalom asked permission of David to travel to
Hebron to worship the Lord. In Hebron, Absalom declared himself king. “Absalom
sent messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, ‘As soon as you hear
the trumpets, then say, “Absalom is king in Hebron.”’” (2 Samuel 15:10)
David chose to flee from Jerusalem instead of
war. He trusted God to restore his throne. David said to the priest, "If I
find favor in the Lord's eyes, he will bring me back again. If he says, ‘I am
not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good."
(2 Samuel 15:25-26)
After David left Jerusalem, Absalom entered and
declared himself king.
David was the God-appointed king. It was
rebellion against David and God. It was done with deceit, not honor. Absalom
lied in order to gain power and make himself king. There was no gratitude in
Absalom for the forgiveness he had received.
Though it wasn’t right or done in a godly way,
David did not fight. He cared too much for Absalom and for the people. He was
unwilling to start a civil war and see brother killing brother. He trusted God
to restore him to the throne at the right time and in His way.
When you are deceived and hurt by treachery, do
you take matters of revenge into your own hands … or do you trust God?
His, by Grace, Steve
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