REBELLION IN THE FAMILY. 2nd Samuel 15 The time period is not given as the Holy Spirit moved the writer of this narrative to give an account of rebellion: why it starts, how it starts, what the motivation behind it is, and the results. The seeds of rebellion start when we focus on what is happening around us, neglect the word of God, and the maintenance of fellowship with Him. Samuel told Saul a generation earlier, “For rebellion is as witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”
Absalom knew he was next in line to be the king of Israel because Amnon was dead, and his response to the half-hearted reconciliation with David was to rebel. He started as the first Israelite leader to use horses and a chariot. This was an act of rebellion against the word of the Lord [Deu.17:16]. Then, he had a bodyguard of fifty men to display that would appeal to the people and focus their attention on him rather than their legitimate king and, more importantly, on the Lord God of Israel. Samuel also had warned of this very thing [1st Samuel 8:11], which was typical of oppressive, greedy, and self-serving leaders in the Middle East at that time.
The city gate of this capital city, Jerusalem, was the governmental and business center of the whole area. Those who sat in this place of authority were responsible for carrying out legal and national matters. Absalom planned to take advantage of his good looks and dramatic style with a false concern for justice and friendly "embrazzo" for everyone who came into the city from other places. In that way, he created a favorable public impression of himself and dissension among the people. Before long, he could rally the ignorant young people to follow him. By flattering people, speaking nicely to them, making promises he could not keep, and even giving free food, he undermined the leadership of his father, David. He even found one unhappy advisor, Ahithophel, to follow his rebellion.
This self-serving attitude among those who want to have a place of authority is prevalent today. Humility, graciousness, gratitude, and appreciation of others are not popular mindsets. “You’ve got to put yourself out there” is how many of the modern generation look at the road to success. Being attractive to people by looks, feelings, and emotions, as well as self-promotion and education without experience, will only give temporary success. Such people cannot be trusted for the “long haul.” Earned worth far exceeds self-worth in the eyes of people who can see beyond the exterior display, particularly God, who looks at the heart.
Our reputation will ultimately be built on our character and tried-and-proven experience instead of bushels of words with a spoonful of thought. A “flash in the pan” makes a lot of noise but does not direct thought or life in the path of righteousness. A righteous person's steady, honest steps will bring the desired goal in God’s time.
Absalom, in this story, has the characteristics of Satan in that he creates division, hatred, and rebellion among the people of God. The enemy of our souls is out to steal the people however he can and fool them with flattery, deception, and false hopes and promises. His purpose is to claim the allegiance of the unbelievers and turn aside the faithful testimony of God's people by falsehood and deceptive influence.
His initial attempts may be from some obscure place where news comes of a wonderful man of great intelligence and leadership qualities who can unfold the scriptures in a way that people have never heard before. Those not well-versed in the truth of God may get messages online and, before long, are teaching things they never got from God but from an unknown person who appeals to them through his charismatic ways.
Absalom set about to ingratiate himself to the people by his complaints and by capitalizing on the discontent of some people. He backed their grievances with his dulcet words of sympathy for them without knowing whether their complaints were justified. He was only interested in fulfilling his own ambitions but presented himself as the one who could solve all the problems of discontented people. David had likely become so preoccupied with his own life that he had become lax in his responsibilities to the people. With his treacherous nature, Absalom took advantage of what he sensed was a weakness in his father.
It is our responsibility as children of God to maintain a robust spiritual life through reading and meditating on the word of God, effective, earnest, and specific prayer, and daily practice of the things we know are righteous and pleasing to God. We must be committed to being faithful to our Lord and His people, and we will have a meaningful life with opportunities to serve our Lord.
When a rebellious person remains unopposed, it will not be long before others will join him, even though their complaints are meaningless and self-serving. Living by faith and nurturing our souls and spirits as God intends will keep us from giving heed to rebellious people. A meek and quiet spirit, a joyful and thankful heart, and a sanctified body committed to faithful service and worship of the Lord will expose rebellion for what it really is.
As we near the end of the age in the last of the last days, those who remain close to their Lord will shine brightly in the darkness of this night we live in. We are to live as children of the light and day. God’s word, God’s Spirit, God’s people, and God’s assembly are all available to a believer willing to stand against the rebellious attitudes that can infect unaware children of God with the poison of rebellion.
Absalom probably had friends in Hebron, where he had lived when he was younger, who would have been glad to align themselves with him to rise to power and claim fame and status. The rebellion was widespread and could not be easily stopped. By its very nature, dissension spreads quickly, and even more so in this age. Instant communication and social media make it impossible to stop innuendo and lies before they negatively influence people who feed on dissatisfaction.
When a rebellious spirit begins in one person, it doesn’t take long to spread. It is surprising how many people harbor a spirit of dissatisfaction and latent rebellion inside themselves. When an act of rebellion starts, various reasons behind it start to unfold. Some people have prejudice because of nationality, color of skin, family ties, or events that happened long ago. Some we took counsel from and confided in turned out to harbor bitterness because we may not have followed their advice to the letter.
When David fled the city of Jerusalem, he was not unaware of what Absalom wanted. He knew Absalom wanted to be the king. He wasn’t sure of how much support Absalom had in the city. By leaving, he preserved the city and its population from a battle in which many innocent lives would be lost. Some would support him and some Absalom, and there would be a bloodbath. He did not want Jerusalem destroyed by warfare and did not want Absalom killed. He expected to return, so he left ten housekeepers there to keep the house in order. The priests, Abiathar and Zadok, were told to remain and keep David informed of what was happening. The Levites were to stay and protect the ark and see to the things of God. Hushai was an advisor who was loyal to David as a true friend, and he could give counsel to Absalom that would favor David. David loved his rebellious son and hoped for a peaceful solution to the matter.
Even though he knew his life was in jeopardy, there were some faithful people David knew he could trust. He took Ittai and those with him who were strangers who came to Jerusalem in the not-too-distant past, even though they were not Israelites. These loyal people could be trusted with his life. Abiathar and Zadok, the priests, were told to remain in Jerusalem with the ark and be in a position to help the cause of David there. David left the city barefoot, like one walking on holy ground, and covered his head in sorrow.
It takes as much courage not to fight as it does to fight. Backing down from a confrontation for the sake of the welfare of others can be a good thing. Choosing to wait may be wise, especially if there is a plan to preserve the assembly, work, or family. The counsel of spiritual and faithful people is always important when making decisions in difficult times. "In the multitude of counselors, there wanteth not safety" is a wise principle to follow. We are called to serve our King in the place where the enemy dwells and seems like he is in control. Resentments are often deep and long and usually are not within our ability to change or do much about—some things we have to take and leave the final results with the Lord.
Ahithophel, Bathsheba's grandfather, was a trusted and wise counselor to David but turned to Absalom along with Absalom’s peers. David’s thoughts regarding this incident and his relationship with Ahithophel are the subjects of Psalm 55. Ahithophel had aligned himself with Absalom for some reason and later found out that deception and rebellion have a way of coming back to attack those who promote them. David wrote some psalms at this time (39, 41, 55, 61, 63) that we can identify with when we find ourselves in similar circumstances. Some who followed Absalom did so blindly without knowing what he had in mind. They were caught up in the rebellion because they were attracted to the man, not because they believed in his cause. Nor did they consider the will of God in the matter.
Much of David’s support came from people who were not Israelites but were true to the king, who had received and accepted them as they were. The people mentioned in this part of the story give us some insight into people and lessons about the human condition.
Absalom is like Satan in the book of Job, where we learn the Lord allows bad things to happen to His people for reasons we may never fully understand. Knowing that “Our times” are in God’s hands is enough. The loyal strangers are like Gentiles today. “As many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” The priests, representatives of God, illustrate the role of those God has saved by grace and are left in the world to shine as lights. We are here to serve Him until our Lord Jesus Christ returns.
Hushai was a true friend who could give needed information about events under Absalom's rule. He could also contradict Ahithophel's counsel. Some are limited in what they can do, like Mephibosheth, whose physical inability to follow David was evilly spoken of by his servant Ziba. David did not have the time to find out he was an opportunist wanting to profit from—Mephibosheth’s absence. Ziba was a deceitful man who was unworthy of being trusted like those who promoted themselves. He is like those who profess to be Christians but have ulterior motives. They want to get rich and believe the false “prosperity gospel.” They want to be healthy and become well-known, so they join a popular church that pleases the people.
It is difficult to remain true and faithful when surrounded by those who want to bring about unscriptural change. Wisdom and integrity are essential in remaining true to our "heavenly David." There are costs to following our Lord, and there will be dangers when we stand for righteousness and truth in this changing world and society. We need to remember when we think we have failed and don't know what to do next or where to go, to lift our eyes of faith to our Lord, trust Him to open the way before us, and do what is necessary when we can do no more.
We live in this world that has rebelled against the Lord, yet we are here for a purpose. It is no accident when the Lord allows bad things to happen in our lives. We learn most and best under the stress of pain, difficulties, losses, opposition, persecution, and among those who seek to deceive us. Our faithfulness to our Lord Jesus Christ should never be diminished under the pressure and stress of godly living in an ungodly world. When our King returns, we will truly know, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.”
The unthinkable has happened – the worst has come to pass. Those people who meant so much to you, for some reason, have changed their minds about what they believe and now consider you out-of-date, an embarrassment to them, and seek to avoid too much contact with you. Even though they would be nothing among some close friends if left without any association with your name, they consider you a pariah – you are the one to blame for not changing your mind to believe what they have changed their minds to believe.
It may be difficult to plan what to do when such times come and how to react appropriately. Instead of listening to what you taught for a lifetime based on the Bible and have tried and proven to be true, they listen to other men’s opinions based on a philosophy that changes when men change. They are sure that what is right pleases the most people and suits modern lifestyles, even though that changes often. They are sure that’s the way to go, so they turn that way, forgetting the final cost.
How should I act, and where should I turn to maintain some moral and spiritual influence on them? Without the Bible, the holy word of God, what is left to appeal to? I must stop and carefully consider my Master, who is the One who knew what it was like to have people listen to Him, profess to believe what He taught, and then turn and go away from Him. The way He reacted when turned against was to show love continually. Even though there was grief and tears, He did not return shove for shove, argument for argument.
When He was reviled by His own, He reviled not against them. He remained true to His calling, just as He had when He first began His years of teaching through word, deed, and example. Until their total rejection of Him and His message of grace, He continued to fulfill His mission. By His grace alone and help, I will continue my commission through faith in Him. Others may change to suit the times, like different foods and flavors that appeal to people for a while but then fade because they were only a passing fancy, but I am called to be light and salt – salt that hasn’t lost its savor. People will try new religious flavors as they move from place to place. I know they will still need the salt to taste the truth better.
No matter what those around me do, where the King is, by God’s grace, I will stay with His called-out people in assemblies of Christians who gather to the Lord Jesus Christ in His name alone. Many may not come to help, and only a few pray, but loyalty to the Lord still stands as a banner of allegiance. I intend to continue on with those people who are not changing from biblical teaching and their commitment to the Lord. Where the King is is where I want to be, even though most people reject him.
I do not want to neglect what He has called me to do or ever be negligent and careless about divine things. It seems to many, even those close to us, that our work is bound to fail. I want to remain loyal to Him despite what that may entail. My pledge of allegiance is to the Lord Jesus Christ, not the popular things. My commitment is to Him, not to what seems more successful. My heart and soul belong to my Lord, not people who can change when they feel like changing. I am, thankfully, His servant and His child.