In 2 Samuel 13-15 we see Absalom after his exile return to Jerusalem and then ultimately the presence of his father David. Absalom had a right to expect David both as father and as king to provide justice for Tamar and due punishment to Amnon. Handsome Absalom was ugly on the inside. If only I had died instead of you--O Absalom, my son, my son! Amon raped Absalom sister and King David did nothing about it. David was acting like the Kings of the Ancient Middle East whose reputation and power could be measured in the terms of the number and beauty and power of their wives as well as the number of their sons. 3  David failed to share in his son’s rejoicing. Absalom was David’s third son, the child of his fourth wife Maacah of Geshur. David wanted reconciliation and he waited too long, doing nothing, but Absalom burned with indignation over the rape and wanted revenge. Concerning the punishment in regards to Bathsheba, I definitely see the connection with the prophet Nathan’s parable about the rich man taking the poor man’s sheep. I’m not an expert, but I thought it was because Absalom wanted to be king. B. At some point Absalom conspires to take the throne from David. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.' David’s army fought against Absalom’s army. One of the things I was pondering was that I believe Solomon is David and Bathsheba’s other son, and that lineage is the one meant for the throne (reminds me of Abraham and Sarah vs. Abraham and Hagar), and that the only way to become king was to usurp since he wasn’t in the lineage that would inherit the throne by blood. Absalom felt that justice was not served in dealing with Ammon. David did not need to be told the implication of such an announcement, he knew what Absalom was capable of. How would David be delivered from his current trouble, one coming from his own closes neighbour, his own son? 4  David failed to act when Absalom fled from killing Amnon. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. And then he died. We will wait and see as we continue in the study in the following days. My son, my son Absalom! Or is there something deeper there? For official apologetics resources please visit. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, : The views and opinions expressed in these forums do not necessarily reflect those of Catholic Answers. I always thought of it as an emotional response. Will the king and his officials please join me?". The OT records with King David and Jacob the reality that these mulitple wives and children don’t lead to peace and love but anger, jeolousy and rapes. ( Log Out /  Edit: Oh, whoops… y’all said that already… Somehow I didn’t see all the posts. Those are good points as well. Or angry that David took so long to forgive his murder of Amnon? Absalom’s long flowing hair got stuck in a tree and he got caught. Absalom cunningly won over the hearts of the men of Israel unto himself by showing himself to be affable, loveable, willing to come to their help, nice and humble. So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the face of the king. Let’s start with 2 Samuel 13. Not sure. If only I had died instead of you--O Absalom, my son, my son!". Thus began the exile of David from his own throne and city. Notable was Hushai who initially wanted to follow David, but whom David was able to persuade to feign allegiance to Absalom, and serve as an informant on what goes on back in Absalom’s camp, and possible help in defeating the counsel of Ahithophel. He could have shown love, he could have shown justice, he could have shown both but he did nothing. David did not need to be told the implication of such an announcement, he knew what Absalom was capable of. So, David had to depart Jerusalem with his people, he knew if they tarried they would not escape being killed by Absalom, and might also put the whole city in jeopardy. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own. 2SA 14:23 Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. It was a time when loyalty is being tested, and David was fortunate to have men at his own beckon too. ( Log Out /  6  David restored Absalom but did not recognize his deceitfulness. He wanted the people to rebel against David and stop listening to him and even kill him! 2SA 14:28 Absalom lived two years in Jerusalem without seeing the king's face. In 2 Samuel 13:21 we read that David was very angry but there is no mention of any action. Do you happen to know a Book Chapter Verse where God makes that promise? 2SA 14:23 Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. vs 31:  And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. It probably would be better to focus on the reality that polygamy doesn’t work no matter who you are. I think that is the key. A.   Let’s explore David’s relationship with Absalom. Amnon should have been punished and Tamar exonerated. Joda_Muto April 25, 2014, 12:18am #1. Some of the people even followed Absalom unaware of his ulterior motives. Why did Absalom conspire against David? I am curious if Absalom had the idea of usurping the throne even before Amnon’s sin, or if he developed it after. Bible References: Absalom’s story is found in 2 Samuel 3:3 and chapters 13-19.; Hometown: Absalom was born in Hebron, during the early part of David’s reign in Judah. 2  David failed to deal with Amnon’s violation of Absalom’s sister. Just when it seemed as though everything had calmed down, the past forgotten, sins forgiven, reconciliation complete, today we saw that Absalom had other plans in mind, plans to topple his father, David, from the throne. It was while in Hebron that he gave order to his appointed men that they should announce in Jerusalem that Absalom reign in Hebron. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. In taking Uriah’s wife and then sending Uriah to his death David lost the respect of his family and his own moral authority. ", No wonder David grieved so greatly, no wonder he said, ! He knew how for two years he hatched the plan to avenge Tamar of Amnon‘s sin, the same son had taken forty years to device a plan to usurp his own rulership in a conspiracy of the highest order. 5 David brought Absalom home but did not receive him. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Rip Tide Spirituality: Psalm 3:1-4 | Psalmslife.com, The Kingdom Divided - Rehoboam vs Jeroboam. I think sibling rivalry is the answer - Bathsheba was David’s favourite and I dare say Solomon being her son was too. vs 6: And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgement: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.