1. AND it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate; and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
3. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
4. Absalom said moreover, O that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
5. And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
6. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7. And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron.
8. For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.
9. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10. But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
11. And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not anything.
12. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
Golden Text: “Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Ex. 20:12.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What did Absalom do soon after his reconciliation with his father? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) How did he seek to win the hearts of the people to himself? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) What judgment did Absalom pronounce upon all grievances related to him? Verse 3, first part. (4) Of what negligence in office did he accuse the king? Verse 3, last part. (5) How did he further seek to create dissatisfaction with the administration of affairs? Verse 4. (6) What did he do to flatter those who honored him? Verse 5. (7) How extensive was this work of Absalom in stimulating disaffection? Verse 6, first part. (8) How does the Bible style this method of winning the people to himself? Verse 6, last part. Note 3. (9) What request did Absalom make of the king? Verse 7. (10) What was this vow? Verse 8. (11) How did David receive his request? Verse 9. (12) On arriving in Hebron, what did Absalom do? Verse 10, first part. (13) What was the signal for proclaiming Absalom king? Verse 10, last part. Note 4. (14) Who accompanied Absalom from Jerusalem? Verse 11. What relation did they sustain to Absalom’s conspiracy? Same verse. Note 5. (15) What noted counselor did Absalom enlist in his service? Verse 12. Note 6. (16) With what success did Absalom’s plans meet? Verse 12, last part.
NOTES.
1. Absalom.—Absalom was the grandson of Talmai, king of Geshur, and fled to his grandfather’s protection after killing his half brother Amnon. Here he lived in exile three years, surrounded by the influence of a heathen court. It was probably this enforced absence, and the feeling that he was paying an unjust penalty for avenging his sister’s wrong, that caused the seeds of rebellion to spring up in his heart. There seemed to be no disposition on David’s part to punish Amnon for his crime, nor to exonerate Absalom for taking vengeance into his own hands; so he prepares to take vengeance on his father as soon as he is restored to favor to a sufficient degree to have an influence with his associates. Being of very striking and commanding appearance, he begins at once to draw attention to himself by a display of princely pomp.
2. Rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate.—From Absalom’s conduct in other things, it would seem probable that he visited the gate of judgment at an earlier hour, even, than was customary for rulers to hear the causes of the people, so that when the king did arrive, many would have already been sent away dissatisfied. The “gate” was the place where the ruler sat to hear the complaints and right the wrongs of the people. The “Sublime Porte,” referring to the Turkish Government, means “the high gate.” Taking a pretended interest in the causes of the people, and deprecating the lack of facilities for righting their wrongs, Absalom naturally won their love.
3. Stole their hearts.—In unfilial and underhanded ways he obtained what belonged to his father, and the sacred writer calls it by its right name.
4. As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet.—Absalom seems to have stationed a succession of trumpeters from north to south through the kingdom, so that he could be proclaimed king throughout all the land on the same day.
5. Two hundred men . . . were called.—They were probably called to attend the sacrificial feast which Absalom was to make in Hebron, and were men of influence. While they knew nothing of Absalom’s plans, their absence from Jerusalem and presence in Hebron would tend to give strength to the rebellion. The fact that these men knew nothing of the conspiracy in which they were playing a part, shows the secrecy with which it was conducted, and the reason for the king’s ignorance in regard to it.
6. Sent for Ahithophel.—“The counsel of Ahithophel . . . was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God.” Chapter 16:23. While the object of Absalom in securing the presence of Ahithophel was doubtless the same as his reason for calling the two hundred men who went with him to Hebron, it will be seen to have been of far greater consequence when we consider the intimate relations existing between David and Ahithophel. In regard to this David says: “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it; neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him; but it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.” Ps. 55:12, 13. The last clause shows unmistakably to whom the psalmist refers. Having the influence of David’s most intimate and most trusted adviser, Absalom must have considered his cause most invulnerable; but the counsel of Ahithophel, like the curse of Balaam, could avail nothing when directed against the Lord’s chosen. Ahithophel, in his course toward David, has been likened to Judas in his betrayal of Christ.
