PAINFUL PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT. 2nd Samuel 18 When a crisis time comes in God's calendar of events for us, we should not be surprised at the accuracy of scripture in describing what will happen. For a lengthy period of time, perhaps several years, David seemed to be lethargic, indecisive, and not really leading the people the way he should. In this leadership vacuum, Absalom stepped in to take advantage of the situation and become king. If we are not careful, we will start taking people and things that should be attended to for granted. People have the right to expect those who lead them to have an ongoing agenda in which their lives have meaningful activities in which they are involved. Living for pleasure or maintaining the status quo does not give satisfaction in living.
One characteristic of good leaders is the ability and willingness to delegate authority to others and let them do what they think is best. It may be different in some ways than what we are used to or did ourselves, but that doesn’t mean what they do is wrong. When we delegate responsibility, we have a good idea of the person’s capabilities and objectives. They may have a different way of reaching our shared goals, but we must be willing to trust God and leave the results to Him. It is our duty to rise to the occasion in which our Lord places us and act responsibly to bring about the best possible result. Yet, like David, we should never think we are above listening to other responsible people's advice.
Finally, David took charge of the situation in which Israel was found. When he took command of his men and designated leaders of three groups of warriors, his decisiveness let his men know he was back in charge. David didn’t intend to wait in a safe place when his men went into battle that would decide the nation's fate. But he was willing to do what others thought was best. They knew he had their best interests at heart, and he had the hearts of those who followed him. That was why his safety was a priority to them. They did not believe David was done leading the nation or that God had turned it over to Absalom. They were loyal to David, and he needed their strength and wisdom.
David had enough people with him, and he needed captains of thousands. He knew three distinct groups would be the best way to order the battle. Ahithophel knew David was the object of Absalom’s army, and the people with David knew that, too. It seems like the battle moved from the east side of the Jordan River to the west side in “The Woods of Ephraim” as Absalom’s army retreated. The battle was a tragic event with huge losses, as is the case in many civil wars. A battle fought in a forest is dangerous because of the obstacles underfoot, but it is easy to get lost and wonder if those you glimpse through the trees are enemies or friends.
When conflicts arise among those of the same nationality, assembly, or family, each side seeks to vindicate its position by vigorously seeking to defeat those who have different opinions. The fact is that between those who should be united in good fellowship, an "Absalom" sometimes comes to the forefront, and before we realize what has happened, division has come among God's people.
Absalom's death was not unexpected because rebellion against God's sovereignty will always fail. His vanity, long hair, and the environment in which he was found finally caught up with him as he hung helplessly in an oak tree. His death was the right thing because, being the kind of man he was, he would have tried again to take the kingdom from David by force. Joab was a practical man who was not easily guided, but he knew what was right and did it in this case. David's sentimental and parental feelings toward his rebellious son were understandable but unrealistic.
Vanity and the environment are still catching people today, and many are lost because they want things their own way without considering God and His way. The desire for independence and resistance to our dependence on God’s grace are leading millions of people into a lost eternity. They live today without God, Christ, and hope in this world, and that is how it will be for them forever if they do not repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an act of divine intention to "resist the proud." God has purposed to bring a proud man down and to raise a humble man up. Absalom's pride brought him and thousands of others with him to the dust of death.
It is time to start correcting and instructing our children when they are young. We all need God's help raising our children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." We can't make our children Christians or believe what we believe. We cannot guarantee their future will be bright. But we can train them early to be righteous, obedient, honorable, respectful, and people of integrity. We can train them in the fear of God and urge them "to seek the Lord while He may be found, and call upon Him while He is near."
Not all children of Christians will be saved because many of them do not want to be. The righteous, godly lives of believing parents and other Christians they know are too restrictive to the kind of life they want. Some think the pleasures of sin are more important and will bring them happiness. Others want to fulfill their fleshly, worldly desire first, and they think God will save them when they are ready and on their own terms. However, when our Lord and King instruct us, we can be assured that what He says is always right. We may not understand why He instructs us in a certain way, nor why what He wants us to do is important, but we do it because we know He knows the conclusion of a matter. It is always right for us to obey His word despite our fears and trepidation.
Understandably, David mourned for his lost son. He knew Absalom had never turned to the Lord and that Absalom's sin had found him out. Perhaps, as a father would, he was aware of his own failure and felt severe guilt. He would remember the fearful prophecies Nathan gave him that would fall on his family. David's upset over Absalom's death was partly because of his own failure, partly because his men killed Absalom against his wishes, and partly because he loved his son.
Any Christian can understand the grief that others have when a child dies. We love those born in our families and know that children are a heritage of the Lord. When they start to rebel, even when they are young, we become concerned about their behavior but still love them. As they get older and if they reject what we have taught them and openly go into the world of sin, we are deeply hurt and may become depressed over what is happening to them. When the consequences of their lifestyle and sins cause them suffering, our love is still there even though we have mental anguish that will not leave us. Only the Lord can give us the courage and enablement to live life as normally as possible. Sometimes, we can sense the Lord's hand on us to comfort, guide, and help us press on in faith despite our great loss.
The two memorials set up were a real contrast. Absalom made the one to memorialize himself. The other was a huge pile of stones over the hole in the ground where he was buried to remind all who passed by of the rebel who sought to kill his own father. Absalom wanted to honor himself, so he set up a pillar for people to remember him. If God does not honor us, anything we might do to exalt ourselves is spurious and abhorrent.
One was likely orderly and well-built with stones made to fit, and the other was a great pile of stones heaped over Absalom's body. One was raised as a symbol to exalt Absalom in his pride, and the other was for future generations to remember how this proud man died. Self-exaltation sets one out in blatant opposition to God’s principles. He lifts up the humble and is determined to bring the proud down. You can count on this principle: the high will be brought low. The story of Absalom is told so that we will know this principle and the consequences of unrestrained pride.
Just because we are privileged does not make us immune to the wages of sin. There is a high price to pay when we impugn God's truth. Payday always comes, whether good or bad. In one day, Absalom lost everything, including what he once had, including his life. Some consequences follow every action that I take. It is not wise to glorify the self or to make some “ego pillar.” Honoring oneself leads to ultimate defeat and despair. Sooner or later, you will wish you never had thought or done that.
When a humble person dies, many good things will be said about their kind spirit, humility, and spiritual ways of promoting what was needed to bring glory to God. People will remember everything that was accomplished through their life’s story. Let others raise a pillar of remembrance if they want to. A self-raised memorial will forever continually haunt your reputation. The great pile of stones of scorn, rejection, and denial reminds us of the body of a lost soul lying under that pile.