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Absalom comes for the Throne - The Book of 2 Samuel · Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

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  Speaker 1: Let us pray. And David said unto all his servants
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  Speaker 1: that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee,
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  Speaker 1: for we shall not else escape from Absalom. Make speed
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  Speaker 1: to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil
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  Speaker 1: upon us, and smite the city with the edge of
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  Speaker 1: the sword. 2 Samuel 15.14 Father, When others come for
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  Speaker 1: my position and influence, like Absalom, I will not worry
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  Speaker 1: or be dismayed. Instead, I will take David's lead in
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  Speaker 1: 2 Samuel 17, 17 and remember a very vital truth,
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  Speaker 1: that what's for me is for me. Because this truth
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  Speaker 1: is my reality, it gives me the advantage because I
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  Speaker 1: know that your hand is on me and for me. Therefore,
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  Speaker 1: when people plot against me, They are actually going against
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  Speaker 1: you and your sovereign plans for my life. No matter
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  Speaker 1: what my current position is, everything will turn around and
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  Speaker 1: work out for my good. Titles and accolades don't deter
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  Speaker 1: me from declaring my destined future. I will continue to
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  Speaker 1: boldly prophesy and speak life over my family, finances, and future.
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  Speaker 1: because you have already co-signed on me and everything that
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  Speaker 1: you have prepared for my life long before I took
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  Speaker 1: my first breath. What is mine is mine, and I
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  Speaker 1: thank you, God, that you will see to it that
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  Speaker 1: it comes to me under your grace in a perfect way.
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  Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. Listening to these daily prayers strengthens
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  Speaker 1: your relationship with God. Continue hearing from the Lord by
• 1:56
  Speaker 1: listening to today's Bible in a Year. Brought to you
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  Speaker 1: by BibleInAYear.com.
• 2:12
  Speaker 2: Absalom comes for the throne. In our last story, Joab
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  Speaker 2: convinced David to allow his son Absalom to return from exile.
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  Speaker 2: Absalom returned not as a reformed or changed man, but
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  Speaker 2: more bitter than ever. Absalom displayed evil tendencies by burning
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  Speaker 2: Joab's fields and is reunited with David. Now we witness
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  Speaker 2: the true heart of Absalom as he dethrones his father
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  Speaker 2: and sends David into the wilderness. David Fleeing from his
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  Speaker 2: life again is met with true loneliness and comforted by
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  Speaker 2: the Spirit of God, as inspired by the book of
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  Speaker 2: 2 Samuel.
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  Speaker 3: Hello, this is Pastor Jack Graham once again with today's
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  Speaker 3: episode of the Bible in a Year. In yesterday's episode,
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  Speaker 3: we heard how Joab convinced David to allow Absalom to
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  Speaker 3: return to Israel. David eventually allowed his banished son to
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  Speaker 3: return but did not welcome him with open arms. Instead,
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  Speaker 3: Absalom lived for two years without speaking to his father.
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  Speaker 3: In that time, his anger and bitterness only grew stronger
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  Speaker 3: and stronger. When David finally reconnected with his son, the
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  Speaker 3: damage was done and evil had filled Absalom's heart. He
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  Speaker 3: was determined to kill his own father and take the throne. Today,
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  Speaker 3: We'll learn how he overthrows King David and sends his
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  Speaker 3: father into exile into the wilderness. David will once again
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  Speaker 3: taste the bitterness of separation from his home and the
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  Speaker 3: fear of being hunted by another man. But even as
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  Speaker 3: he flees for his life, God will remain faithful to
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  Speaker 3: him and comfort him in his loneliness and grief. So,
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  Speaker 3: let's listen now to today's reading.
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  Speaker 2: Ambition, Greed, and Revenge Thoughts of sitting on the throne
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  Speaker 2: consumed Absalom into the night. Back and forth he would
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  Speaker 2: pace the halls of his home, plotting how he might
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  Speaker 2: seize the title of king from his father. Slowly and
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  Speaker 2: methodically he began to take action against David. It began
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  Speaker 2: with a few purchases. Absalom acquired a few chariots and
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  Speaker 2: horses and added them to his collection. Later he hired
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  Speaker 2: men to ride them. Yet he did not storm the
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  Speaker 2: city of Jerusalem and take his father's throne by force. No.
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  Speaker 2: Absalom knew he needed the love and favor of the people.
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  Speaker 2: So Absalom would rise early in the morning to stand
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  Speaker 2: at the gates of Jerusalem. When men and women in
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  Speaker 2: need would come to visit the king, Absalom would comfort them.
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  Speaker 2: He would spin lies and tales about David's ineptitude and weariness.
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  Speaker 2: You have so many needs. You are right to seek
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  Speaker 2: counsel from the king, Absalom.
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  Speaker 1: Would tell them.
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  Speaker 2: It is a shame he has no time or appointed
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  Speaker 2: people to hear your cries. If only I were set
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  Speaker 2: as king over the land, every man and woman would
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  Speaker 2: be loved and listened to. Absalom did this often, and
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  Speaker 2: day by day people began to adore him. Absalom was violent, spiteful,
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  Speaker 2: and filled with pride. However, he was a patient man.
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  Speaker 2: For four years he stood at the gates and sowed
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  Speaker 2: discord among the people. For four years he planted seeds
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  Speaker 2: of doubt and bitterness towards the king. For four years,
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  Speaker 2: Absalom slowly built a small army able to overtake Jerusalem.
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  Speaker 2: Absalom traveled to Hebron, far away from the city of Jerusalem,
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  Speaker 2: and hired men and women to spread rumors that Absalom
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  Speaker 2: had been named the new king over Israel. It was
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  Speaker 2: only a matter of time before Absalom could make his
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  Speaker 2: final push for the throne and life of David. The
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  Speaker 2: streets began to rumble. Hushed whispers soon became chants as
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  Speaker 2: the people of Israel cried, called for Absalom to be king.
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  Speaker 2: It was music to Absalom's ears. A sly smile came
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  Speaker 2: across his face.
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  Speaker 1: It was time.
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  Speaker 2: Absalom gathered his men and began parading through the streets
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  Speaker 2: of Jerusalem. He postured himself, sending a clear message to David.
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  Speaker 2: The message was received. David and his servants knew that
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  Speaker 2: Absalom would come for David's life. David would not allow
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  Speaker 2: the city of Jerusalem to become a battleground. He would
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  Speaker 2: not risk the lives of innocent people in a civil war.
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  Speaker 2: He gathered his things and fled through the back of
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  Speaker 2: the palace. David ran towards the wilderness when he saw
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  Speaker 2: dozens of people waiting on the outskirts of the gates.
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  Speaker 2: David marveled as a gathering of different tribes stood there.
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  Speaker 2: Foreigners that David had welcomed in, David's personal bodyguard and
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  Speaker 2: mighty men, and the priests with the Ark of the
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  Speaker 2: Covenant stood there, ready to die if it meant following David.
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  Speaker 2: You should leave. It may mean death for you all,
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  Speaker 2: David said, doing his best to hold back tears. Wherever
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  Speaker 2: you are, whether in death or in life, we will
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  Speaker 2: be as well, they said. David was overwhelmed by their faithfulness,
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  Speaker 2: so they ventured forth across the brook of Kidron towards
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  Speaker 2: the Mount of Olives. The trees swayed back and forth
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  Speaker 2: as the sun began to set. The people behind David
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  Speaker 2: began to set up camp But David went ahead to
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  Speaker 2: kneel before God. There in the coolness of the night,
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  Speaker 2: David wept before his Lord. He prayed earnestly and painfully.
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  Speaker 2: The air was crisp and the stars were visible in
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  Speaker 2: between the trees. It was in this very place on
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  Speaker 2: the Mount of Olives that one of David's descendants would
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  Speaker 2: pray to God as well. He would pray earnestly and painfully.
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  Speaker 2: Then he would cross the brook towards his enemies and
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  Speaker 2: be crucified. David and his people ventured a little further
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  Speaker 2: into the wilderness. As they passed through the countryside, they
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  Speaker 2: were met with kindness and curses. Some remembered the courageous
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  Speaker 2: and compassionate leadership of David and helped him. Others were
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  Speaker 2: loyal to Absalom and threw rocks, sticks, and curses toward them.
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  Speaker 2: It was a humbling season for David. He longed to
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  Speaker 2: lead his people again. He longed to see his family again.
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  Speaker 2: He longed to see the Lord unleash his justice. Meanwhile,
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  Speaker 2: back in Jerusalem, Absalom sat upon the throne. He gave
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  Speaker 2: out a deep sigh of contentment and laughed. It had
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  Speaker 2: been a long and drawn-out plan, but it was worth it.
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  Speaker 2: Absalom was finally king over Israel, although David was still alive.
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  Speaker 2: Absalom set up a tent on the roof of the
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  Speaker 2: palace and slept with all his father's servants. He began
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  Speaker 2: his hostile and lustful takeover of Israel. Absalom called Ahithophel
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  Speaker 2: and Hushai to his side. The two were once counselors
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  Speaker 2: to David, and now Absalom sought their advice. What should
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  Speaker 2: be our plan of attack for David?
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  Speaker 3: He asked.
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  Speaker 2: Ahithophel was a weak man. His loyalty was not to
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  Speaker 2: David or to Absalom, but to whoever would provide for
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  Speaker 2: him and keep him safe. Ahithophel rubbed his hands together
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  Speaker 2: and said, You are to choose twelve thousand men and
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  Speaker 2: pursue David tonight. Do not give him time to regain
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  Speaker 2: his strength. You should move now while he is discouraged.
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  Speaker 2: Absalom enjoyed the advice and began to make arrangements. He
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  Speaker 2: called Hushai and asked him the same question. Hushai was
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  Speaker 2: a strong man and dedicated to God and David. He
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  Speaker 2: spoke to Absalom as a loyal servant, although his true
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  Speaker 2: allegiance was to David. Your father is no fool, Hushai said.'
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  Speaker 2: You forget that he and his men are mighty warriors.'
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  Speaker 2: You would not be able to ambush him so easily.
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  Speaker 2: In fact, you may not be able to find him
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  Speaker 2: at all. I think you should hold a rally with
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  Speaker 2: the people of Israel. Gather them all together and motivate them. Then,
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  Speaker 2: with their cheers and support behind you, you should ride
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  Speaker 2: into battle against David. For if you are the true king,
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  Speaker 2: you should be able to defeat David yourself. Hushai appealed
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  Speaker 2: to Absalom's vanity. The rally would buy David more time
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  Speaker 2: to prepare. Then, if Absalom rode into battle, it would
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  Speaker 2: give David the opportunity to get rid of the problem himself.
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  Speaker 2: Absalom agreed, and Hushai secretly sent word to David. When
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  Speaker 2: Absalom prepared his rally, David prepared his people. He fed them,
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  Speaker 2: clothed them, and tended to them as a shepherd would
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  Speaker 2: his sheep. David knew something that Absalom did not. The
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  Speaker 2: anointing of God is what makes a man king. No title,
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  Speaker 2: no army, and no influence would ever replace the hand
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  Speaker 2: of God upon David. He had learned this when facing Goliath.
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  Speaker 2: He learned it facing the Philistines, and he learned it
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  Speaker 2: in the wilderness fleeing from Saul. Nothing and no one
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  Speaker 2: would harm David, for the God of all heaven and
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  Speaker 2: earth was with him. This was something Absalom would learn
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  Speaker 2: soon enough.
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  Speaker 3: Our passage begins with a bitter and hateful Absalom setting
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  Speaker 3: in motion an evil plan to force David, his own father,
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  Speaker 3: off the throne. We know that Absalom is willing to
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  Speaker 3: wait for his time of vengeance. He waited two years
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  Speaker 3: to exact revenge on his brother Amnon, and this time
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  Speaker 3: he will do the same. He waits. He begins to
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  Speaker 3: amass horses and chariots and men to ride with him
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  Speaker 3: when the time was right. But before he could make
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  Speaker 3: his move, Absalom knew he needed to weaken the foundations
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  Speaker 3: of David's rule, and so, like the serpent in the
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  Speaker 3: Garden of Eden, Absalom began to whisper lies, questioning the
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  Speaker 3: goodness of the king. Day after day, he would meet
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  Speaker 3: people who came to see the king, and he would
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  Speaker 3: fill their heads with lies. seducing the people into believing him,
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  Speaker 3: eroding their loyalty to David and his rule. For four years,
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  Speaker 3: he worked to undermine the king, all the while building
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  Speaker 3: his own army. But he didn't stop with the lies
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  Speaker 3: in Jerusalem. He spread rumors and false tales across the land,
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  Speaker 3: leading people to believe that he was already king of Israel.
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  Speaker 3: In time, Absalom was ready to strike. David saw the
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  Speaker 3: writing on the wall, and though he counted on loyal
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  Speaker 3: and courageous men, he was not willing to turn the
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  Speaker 3: city of God into a battleground or to put the
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  Speaker 3: lives of his people in danger. It's been said that
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  Speaker 3: it takes a bigger man to walk away from a
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  Speaker 3: fight than to start one, and David demonstrates that he
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  Speaker 3: is the bigger man. So he left the palace for
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  Speaker 3: the wilderness. It was something that he had done when
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  Speaker 3: Saul wanted to kill him, but this time he was
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  Speaker 3: leaving the throne, his home, and the place where God's
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  Speaker 3: temple was. But even in the wilderness, he knew that
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  Speaker 3: he was not alone. God was with him as always,
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  Speaker 3: but so were many faithful Israelites who believed in him,
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  Speaker 3: along with priests who brought the Ark of the Covenant.
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  Speaker 3: But David was not willing to see the Ark removed
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  Speaker 3: from its rightful place in Jerusalem. He trusted God enough
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  Speaker 3: to send it back to the city, knowing that if
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  Speaker 3: it was God's will, that he would return one day. Clearly,
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  Speaker 3: this was a time of great challenge for David. He
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  Speaker 3: is running for his life. His son is sitting on
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  Speaker 3: the throne of Israel, an illegitimate king who was not
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  Speaker 3: anointed or blessed by God. And it grieved David, as
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  Speaker 3: did the fact that he was so far from the
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  Speaker 3: place of worship, the temple, the symbol of God's presence,
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  Speaker 3: and the place that he loved to worship his creator.
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  Speaker 3: In 2 Samuel 16, verse 30, we get a sense
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  Speaker 3: of David's sorrow and grief when we read, David went
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  Speaker 3: up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as
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  Speaker 3: he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all
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  Speaker 3: the people who were with him covered their heads, and
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  Speaker 3: they went up, weeping as they went. Through this time,
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  Speaker 3: God comforted David's heart and strengthened him. And from David's exile,
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  Speaker 3: we have some of the most heartfelt and beautiful psalms,
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  Speaker 3: poems that speak of David's longing to be in the
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  Speaker 3: dwelling place of the Lord again. And even as David
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  Speaker 3: endured loneliness and sadness, God was preparing the way for
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  Speaker 3: his return. For as Absalom surrendered himself with advisors and
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  Speaker 3: sought their counsel, his vanity kept him from seeing that
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  Speaker 3: some in his midst were loyal to David and would
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  Speaker 3: set the stage for Absalom's downfall. And we will hear
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  Speaker 3: all about that the next time. Dear God, we thank
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  Speaker 3: you that when we are lonely and broken or in
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  Speaker 3: times when we are estranged from loved ones and friends,
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  Speaker 3: when we are grieving, when we are hurting, that you
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  Speaker 3: always comfort us. We know that we can seek you
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  Speaker 3: and find you as you have promised. When we face
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  Speaker 3: our trials and our struggles and our difficulties, when we
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  Speaker 3: are betrayed by even people that we love, we pray
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  Speaker 3: that your presence will always fill us with your grace
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  Speaker 3: and peace. In the name of Jesus, who is the
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  Speaker 3: Prince of Peace, amen. Thank you for listening to today's
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  Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor Jack Graham, and
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  Speaker 3: we appreciate so very much your interest, your prayers, and
• 15:34
  Speaker 3: your involvement in this wonderful effort to walk through the Bible.
• 15:39
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• 15:42
  Speaker 3: make prayer a true priority in your life, along with
• 15:46
  Speaker 3: the study of God's Word. If you appreciate and have
• 15:49
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• 15:52
  Speaker 3: would share it with someone you love because it will
• 15:54
  Speaker 3: make a huge difference in their lives. And if you
• 15:58
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  Speaker 3: and follow him, how you can live the Christian life,
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  Speaker 3: be sure to visit jackgraham.org. Thank you and God bless you.