In this chapter, Absalom wins the hearts of the people of Israel, causing Absalom to rebel against his father, David, and forcing the king to leave Jerusalem in tears. The chapter begins, “After this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses and he hired fifty footmen to run ahead of him. He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then people could bring their problems to me, and I would give them justice!” And when people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and embraced them. So in this way, Absalom stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.” (2 Samuel 15:1-6)
Absalom did this for four years until he asked King David to allow him to go to Hebron to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. David allowed him to go. “But while he was there, he sent secret messengers to every part of Israel to stir up a rebellion against the king. “As soon as you hear the trumpets,” his message read, “you will know that Absalom has been crowned king in Hebron.” He took two hundred men from Jerusalem with him as guests, but they knew nothing of his intentions. While he was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of David’s counselors who lived in Giloh. Soon many others also joined Absalom, and the conspiracy gained momentum.
A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell King David, “All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!” (2 Samuel 15:10-13)
After hearing this, David fled the city, leaving no one behind except 10 concubines to keep the palace in order. “There were six hundred Gittites who had come with David from Gath, along with the king’s bodyguard. Then the king turned to Ittai, the captain of the Gittites, and asked, “Why are you coming with us? Go on back with your men to King Absalom, for you are a guest in Israel, a foreigner in exile. You arrived only yesterday, and now should I force you to wander with us? I don’t even know where we will go. Go on back and take your troops with you, and may the Lord show you his unfailing love and faithfulness.” (David keeps praising the Lord!)
But Ittai said to the king, “I vow by the Lord and by your own life that I will go wherever you go, no matter what happens -- whether it means life or death.” (2 Samuel 15:18-21)
David did not refuse them and they continued there exit. There was great sadness in the land as King David and his followers passed by as they headed towards the wilderness.
“Abiathar and Zadok and the Levites took the Ark of the Covenant of God and set it down beside the road. Then they offered sacrifices there until everyone had passed by. David instructed Zadok to take the Ark of God back into the city. “If the Lord sees fit,” David said, “he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle again. But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him.” (David’s confidence remains in the Lord, regardless of what he is going through.)
Then the king told Zadok the priest, “Look, here is my plan. You and Abiathar should return quietly to the city with your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. I will stop at the shallows of the Jordan River and wait there for a message from you. Let me know what happens in Jerusalem before I disappear into the wilderness. So Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of God back to the city and stayed there.
David walked up the road that led to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered and his feet were bare as a sign of mourning. And the people who were with him covered their heads and wept as they climbed the mountain. When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, “O Lord, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!” (2 Samuel 15:24-31)
The chapter ends with David being greeted by his friend, Hushai the Arkite. “But David told him, “If you go with me, you will only be a burden. Return to Jerusalem and tell Absalom, ‘I will now be your advisor, just as I was your father’s adviser in the past.’ Then you can frustrate and counter Ahithophel’s advice. Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, are there. Tell them the plans that are being made to capture me, and they will send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to find me and tell me what is going on.” So David’s friend Hushai returned to Jerusalem, getting there just as Absalom arrived.” (2 Samuel 33-37)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for showing us that the man after your own heart had to endure difficult moments in his life, causing him to weep like a baby, not knowing the plans that you had for him...just like us! You have us in your fold, just like you had David. Lord, thank you! We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
コメント