2 SAMUEL LESSON 16
We will begin this lesson in II Samuel 15:1 "And it came to pass
after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty
men to run before him."
The Chariots and horses were, probably, for himself, and the men
with him ran beside him. These fifty men that ran before him, showed
his position as prince and he hoped, soon to be king.
II Samuel 15:2 "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."
We know that David judged at the palace. It was even said of him,
that he was a just judge. The gate, spoken of here, is the entrance to
the palace. Absalom was stopping them, before they made it to David
for judgement. Absalom was convincing them that David was not doing a
good job as judge.
II Samuel 15:3 "And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters [are]
good and right; but [there is] no man [deputed] of the king to hear
thee."
Absalom was siding with whoever he was speaking to at the time,
to win favor with them. He was blaming his father for his negligence
in hearing these cases more rapidly.
II Samuel 15:4 "Absalom said moreover, Oh 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!"
This is the first indication that Absalom would like to overthrow
David, and be king himself. He is making friends with all who came in,
and trying to win their loyalty to him.
II Samuel 15:5 "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."
Absalom was kissing them, when they offered to bow to him. He
wanted them to feel that he was their friend.
II Samuel 15:6 "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."
This sort of treatment won the people over to Absalom, because he
had shown himself to be on their side.
II Samuel 15:7 "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."
Hebron was the home town of Absalom. We know that all the
bitterness David had felt against Absalom, was gone. Perhaps, this
means when Absalom was forty years old. It could, also, be speaking of
40 years after they came to Jerusalem the first time. This time really
does not make a difference for what we are studying.
II Samuel 15:8 "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."
This is a very dangerous thing to do. He is telling a lie. He is
going to win support to himself against David.
II Samuel 15:9 "And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he
arose, and went to Hebron."
David had no idea what Absalom was doing, so he sent him away in
peace.
II Samuel 15:10 "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."
We know that Absalom had been building himself up in the eyes of
the Israelites, while he was tearing his father down. These spies were
not to bring information back. They were to work themselves in among
the people, and when the trumpet blew, they were to shout "Absalom
reigneth in Hebron". They are hoping their shouting would start the
people shouting the same thing.
II Samuel 15:11 "And with Absalom went two hundred men out of
Jerusalem, [that were] called; and they went in their simplicity, and
they knew not any thing."
The simplicity, spoken of here, was the fact that they did not
know they were part of an army to come against David. Absalom had made
friends with them, and when he called for someone to go with him, they
went willingly, not knowing the purpose of this trip.
II Samuel 15:12 "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."
Ahithophel was Bath-sheba's grandfather. Ahithophel had been a
counselor for David. He was thought to speak as an oracle of God. We
can see why Absalom would want him. He advised Absalom to take the
harem of David. David found out what was going on, and sent another
counselor. They believed the one David sent, and Ahithophel went home
and hanged himself. It appears, in the verse above, that more and more
people were believing and following Absalom.
II Samuel 15:13 "And there came a messenger to David, saying,
The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom." II Samuel 15:14
"And David said unto all his servants that [were] with him at
Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not [else] escape from
Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring
evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword."
David still had a few loyal men, and he and the men fled for
safety. It appears that, Absalom had become very strong to run his
daddy out of the palace.
II Samuel 15:15 "And the king's servants said unto the king,
Behold, thy servants [are ready to do] whatsoever my lord the king
shall appoint." II Samuel 15:16 "And the king went forth, and all his
household after him. And the king left ten women, [which were]
concubines, to keep the house."
The kings servants were speaking, again, of those high ranking
officers with David. We know that David took his wives and children
with him, and left ten concubines to keep the house. David would go
into hiding with his family.
II Samuel 15:17 "And the king went forth, and all the people
after him, and tarried in a place that was far off." II Samuel 15:18
"And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites,
and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which
came after him from Gath, passed on before the king."
This was not enough men to form an army. These were more like a
guard for the king. It is interesting that David had 600 men with him,
when he had run from Saul earlier. This could, possibly, be made up of
the same mighty men he had then. These were not Philistines, which
Gath would indicate, but they were Israelites like David.
II Samuel 15:19 "Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite,
Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with
the king: for thou [art] a stranger, and also an exile."
Ittai was a Philistine, who had given his loyalty to David.
David was telling him, that he was not expected to fight, since he was
not an Israelite.
II Samuel 15:20 "Whereas thou camest [but] yesterday, should I
this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may,
return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth [be] with
thee."
David was, in a sense, giving him permission to go home, if he
wanted to, and not risk the lives of his people in an Israelite
affair. David, also, speaks a blessing on him for offering to help.
David will not hold it against him, if he goes home.
II Samuel 15:21 "And Ittai answered the king, and said, [As] the
LORD liveth, and [as] my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my
lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will
thy servant be."
His loyalty was to David, the king. He had no intentions of
leaving in this time of trouble. He has made his mind up to follow
David even to death, if necessary.
II Samuel 15:22 "And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And
Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little
ones that [were] with him."
This brave Philistine went first, to make sure there was no
danger in crossing the Kidron. They would hide in the wilderness.
II Samuel 15:23 "And all the country wept with a loud voice, and
all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the
brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the
wilderness."
This was a sad time, for the people loved David. David, and his
family, and servants passed over the brook of Kidron.
II Samuel 15:24 "And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites [were]
with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down
the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done
passing out of the city."
It appears that, the ark was carried part of the way by the
Levites. The ark was there, until David and all of his people were out
of the city.
II Samuel 15:25 "And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark
of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD,
he will bring me again, and shew me [both] it, and his habitation:"
David and the priests had brought the ark into Jerusalem with
much rejoicing. He would not, now, take it with him. He tells Zadok to
carry it back to the tabernacle, and set it up. He will see it again,
if the LORD favors him, and lets him remain king. The proper place for
the ark is in Jerusalem.
II Samuel 15:26 "But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee;
behold, [here am] I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him."
David is willing for the LORD to judge him. He will accept
whatever the LORD decides is right.
II Samuel 15:27 "The king said also unto Zadok the priest, [Art
not] thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons
with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar."
A "seer" is a prophet. He is not a priest. In this case, he is
both high priest and seer. It appears, he sends two back with him.
Ahimaaz was a priest, the son of Zadok, who would follow him as high
priest. Jonathan was a priest, as well.
II Samuel 15:28 "See, I will tarry in the plain of the
wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me."
David will remain in the wilderness, until he receives word to
come back to Jerusalem.
II Samuel 15:29 "Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of
God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there."
The ark must be handled by the priests, who are anointed for
this.
II Samuel 15:30 "And David went up by the ascent of [mount]
Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went
barefoot: and all the people that [was] with him covered every man his
head, and they went up, weeping as they went up."
The mount of Olives is just a few miles out of Jerusalem. In
fact, it is on a hill overlooking the old city. The fact that his head
was covered, showed the grief that David was feeling. He was barefoot,
which showed his humbleness before God {take off your shoes, for this
is holy ground}. The weeping was showing their grief, as well.
II Samuel 15:31 "And [one] told David, saying, Ahithophel [is]
among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray
thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness."
Since it is the LORD who gives the counselor his ability, the
LORD could confuse the counsel he gives, and make it unacceptable.
II Samuel 15:32 "And it came to pass, that [when] David was come
to the top [of the mount], where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the
Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:"
The rent clothes, and the earth upon his head, indicated great
sorrow. He was a dear old friend of David's, and would do whatever he
could to help.
II Samuel 15:33 "Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with
me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:"
We are not told, why he would be a burden, but we know this was
not said to insult him. It was a fact, for some reason.
II Samuel 15:34 "But if thou return to the city, and say unto
Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; [as] I [have been] thy
father's servant hitherto, so [will] I now also [be] thy servant: then
mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel."
He could be a tremendous help to David, by spying for him.
Absalom will, probably, believe him, and not believe Ahithophel.
II Samuel 15:35 "And [hast thou] not there with thee Zadok and
Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, [that] what thing soever
thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell [it] to Zadok
and Abiathar the priests."
The high priest and the priests were true to David, as well. They
will, probably, not be noticed, because of their position in the
tabernacle.
II Samuel 15:36 "Behold, [they have] there with them their two
sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's [son], and Jonathan Abiathar's [son]; and by
them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear."
If Zadok remains in the tabernacle to serve as high priest, the
priests can be spared to take messages to David. Hushai could listen
to the plans of Absalom, and the priests could bring the information
to David. It is very important for Hushai to be in the palace with
Absalom.
II Samuel 15:37 "So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and
Absalom came into Jerusalem."
It appears, they arrived at about the same time. Absalom,
probably, thought he would defeat his father in Jerusalem. He did not
know that he would go into hiding. The plan is, now, in place. David
has his strategic men in place.
2 Samuel 16 Questions
1. How many men did Absalom have to run before him?
2. The chariots and horses were for ___________.
3. Where did Absalom station himself, to be able to talk to men
coming to see David?
4. What was said of David's judgement?
5. What was Absalom trying to convince these people of?
6. In verse 3, Absalom is telling them what about their getting
judged fairly?
7. What is all of this an indication that Absalom wants to do?
8. When these people came and bowed to Absalom, what did he do?
9. Absalom stole the ________ of the men of Israel.
10. What did Absalom ask David to let him go and do?
11. What did David say to him?
12. What were the spies, that Absalom sent out, to say when the
trumpet blew?
13. How many men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem?
14. What was their simplicity?
15. Who was David's counselor, who went with Absalom?
16. How was he connected to David?
17. What message was brought to David?
18. What did David do, in response to this news?
19. Who stayed behind to care for the house?
20. How many men passed before the king?
21. Who was a Philistine, who was with David?
22. What did David offer him?
23. How did Ittai answer David?
24. Who passed over the brook Kidron first?
25. Where would they hide?
26. Who wept, when David and his people left?
27. Who, of the priesthood, was with David?
28. What did David insist that Zadok do with the ark?
29. David is willing for the _________ to judge him.
30. What is a "seer"?
31. Who carried the ark back?
32. Where did David go?
33. Why did David have his head covered?
34. What did David pray to God about Ahithophel?
35. Who came to meet David on the mount of Olives?
36. What did David send him to do?
37. Who will he report to?
38. How will David get the message?
39. Where did Hushai meet Absalom?
40. Why had Absalom come here?
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