Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+015
CHAPTER 15 (ESV)
10 But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, ‘Absalom is king at Hebron!’” 11 With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing. 12 And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.
13 And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” 14 Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15 And the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides.” 16 So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house.
REFLECTION:
- Absalom spent two years planning to kill his brother (13:23). Then he spent four years preparing the coup and to kill his father. Both are premeditated evil acts. But Absalom very likely won’t consider himself a murderer. He probably would even think that he was doing good by getting rid of Amnon, the rapist, and David, the indifferent father and incapable king.
- The Bible didn’t give us a black and white contrast of “good David” and “bad Absalom”. By going through this difficult story, we realize that both were sinful. We gained a glimpse of God’s gracious sovereignty being worked out through the lives of fragile, stubborn, rebellious people who were called to bring glory to God. It is in this incredible paradox that we find God’s grace for us, the undeserved.
PRAYER:
Sinner Saved By Grace (Bill & Gloria Gaither, Mitch Humphries)
If you could see what I once was, if you could go with me,
Back to where I started from, then I know you would see
A miracle of Love that put me in its sweet embrace
And made me what I am today, just an old sinner saved by grace.
I’m just a sinner saved by grace, when I stood condemned to death, He took my place
Now I live and breathe in freedom with each breath of life I take,
loved and forgiven, backed with a living, I’m just a sinner saved by grace
How could I boast on anything I’ve ever seen or done
how could I dare to claim as mine the victories GOD has won
Where would I be had GOD not brought me gently to this place
I’m here to say I’m nothing but a sinner saved by grace
