Reading: 2 Samuel 16-18, Psalm 91

Have you ever wondered if everyone is lying to you? If there is anyone who you can trust? Both David and Absalom are now in situations where they must decide who is worthy of their trust. The kingdom of David, which was the high point of the story of Israel, if falling into deceit, self serving advisers, and violence and mistrust in the royal family.

Absalom has taken control of Jerusalem, and now he must decide who he will listen to and what kind of ruler he will be. His adviser Ahithophel, who had been David’s chief effective adviser, tells him to overtly flaunt not only his father’s authority, but the covenant law of the God of Israel by publicly taking his father’s concubines. While it was habitual for overthrowing kings to take the harem of their vanquished opponents in the time and place, this was in clear violation of Leviticus 18. By this advice, Ahithophel is being showcased as a man not of the true Israel, as he advises against the covenant law. Absalom does as advised, and in so doing ensures that those loyal do David and to the God of Israel will wholly oppose him, which is Ahithophel’s plan. He then advocates sending out Absalom’s army to kill David right away, before he has time to reach a secure position.

But Ahithophel is not the only adviser to Absalom. Hushai, left behind by David as a spy, is also a respected court adviser. He advises Absalom not to give battle until he has the whole of Israel and Judah gathered, because David and the men with him are such warriors that victory with the current small force cannot be certain, and if they were to lose, Absalom’s authority would fall apart. Of course, Absalom’s authority as a usurper is going to be splintered anyway, but Hushai is playing on Absalom’s belief that he can unite Israel under his own command. David’s exploits are at this point legendary in Israel- remember that he was a legendary hero in the days of Saul, which are still in living memory. Absalom decides this is good advice. Hushai takes the opportunity to activate David’s spy network and sends word to him of what has occurred.

Ahithophel, realizing that Absalom is now very unlikely to retain the throne, goes back to his own home city, sets his house in order, and hangs himself. When David regains the throne, Ahithophel knows he will be held accountable for his treachery, and he decides not to endure judgment from David. Though the story tells us that he is respected as if his words are from God, he is well aware that his words are not from God. Ahithophel comes off as a rather extreme pragmatist, and at this point he knows he is defeated, and chooses to spare himself and his house the disgrace of what will happen when David regains the throne.

Speaking of David, what has he been up to? We see David back to being an exile and refugee, and he once again turns to the will of God in his own defense. He too is surrounded by deceit and must decide who he can trust. Ziba comes and, as we later learn, lies to David concerning Methibosheth, Jonathan’s son. He is verbally attacked by another of Saul’s relatives, but he goes back to depending on God’s will- he acknowledges that possibility that God told the man to curse him, and he will not defend himself from scorn, but allow God to do so. This is the David we remember from the days of Saul. As we shall soon see, he is also still quite the warrior.

The tragic story of Absalom wraps up in another Israelite civil war, though a short one. Absalom, following the advice of Hushai, gathers those who will follow him from all of Israel and sets out to fight David. David has gathered those loyal to him on the other side of the Jordan, allowing him to pick the ground of the battle in the forest of Ephraim, which we are told is more hazardous to Absalom’s army than their opponent’s swords. David wants to lead the army himself, but his commanders understand that if he dies, Absalom’s claim will become legitimate. As king, David’s life is too important to be risked, so he remains behind for this battle. They win the battle, and Absalom literally gets stuck in a tree by his hair. He is helpless.

Now we get a little scene where Joab is deliberately disobedient to David’s instructions. Previously we have seen Joab do some things that paint him as bloodthirsty and vindictive, particularly the murder of Abner, but also his agreeableness to the death of Uriah. Now we see he has no patience for David’s plea to spare Absalom and instead sticks him through the heart with three javelins, then has his bodyguard make sure he is dead. Finally, we get a little story informing us that Absalom has no sons to carry his name on, which implies that the three sons we learned he had earlier are also dead. There will be no one to carry on Absalom’s rebellious claim to the throne.

The end of today’s story deals with how David receives the news of his victory over his son. Joab, who was present with David at receiving the news of the deaths of both Saul and Ish-bosheth, knows better than to go bragging of having killed Absalom to David. He instead sends a Cushite servant to tell the news. One of the messengers who had come from Jerusalem to inform David of Absalom’s action, Ahimaaz, wishes to go as well. Joab warns him he will get no reward for telling David that Absalom is dead, but he goes anyway. Ahimaaz outruns the Cushite and tells David the battle is won, but declines to tell him Absalom is dead, leaving that news to the Cushite servant to tell. David does not harm the servant for his news, but goes into mourning for the death of his rebellious son.

The story of Absalom is full of treachery, deceit, and backstabbing. Absalom lived his life to his own glory, to the point of setting up a monument to his own glory in the valley of the kings. He is proud of his hair, which proves to be his undoing. He is similar to Saul in that he appeared kingly, but acted in self interest and ignored the covenant law of the God of Israel. David, on the other hand, accepts the hand that is given him. His own disobedience to God’s laws have had horrendous results, and now David is overwhelmed by the tragedy that has befallen his family. We are left with David wailing at the death of the son who tried to overthrow him.