Deposed. Selfish ambition dishonors God and fosters unwarranted fear.

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Jemima Holt
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1 Session 8 Deposed Selfish ambition dishonors God and fosters unwarranted fear. 2 SAMUEL 15:10-16,24-30 Many of us are not good at waiting our turn. If we can slip in ahead of a person when merging onto the interstate, we will. If we can just be ahead of one other person at the entrance, we feel better about life. We might even pay for the privilege of going to the front of a line at an amusement park. We value patience, especially for those in front of us who just need to get out of our way. What makes it so hard for people to wait for their turn? What are the dangers of failing to wait and taking on a task before really ready? S ug ge s t e d Use Week of October 22 73

2 UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT 2 SAMUEL 15:1 17:29 Even though he had not been punished for the murder of Amnon, Absalom displayed no gratitude toward his father David for this reprieve. Neither did he display any remorse over his murder of Ammon (2 Sam. 14:32). Because of selfish ambition, Absalom began to undermine David in order to seek the throne for himself. The first indication that Absalom was driven by selfish ambition was in his procurement of a chariot and horses. Extravagances in the ancient world, they are typically associated with nations who warred with Israel and were enemies of the Lord God. Given that the terrain of Jerusalem was not suited for them and that Samuel forecasted that they would someday be used by kings (1 Sam. 8:11), it appears to reveal the self-centered ambition of the prince. By inserting himself into judicial matters where citizens sought justice, Absalom began to position himself as king in the eyes of the people. With great subtlety, he fermented discontent among those seeking a favorable verdict in their disputes by his winsome and courteous behavior. Being persistent for four years, Absalom was able to mount an insurrection that nearly toppled David s reign. A key element of Absalom s ruse was his request to go to Hebron the location where David had been declared king. The rationale for this request was the fulfillment of a supposed vow made by Absalom while he was in exile. His sincerity must be questioned since the law mandated that a vow was to be fulfilled with haste (Deut. 23:21) and it had been four years since the vow was made. Given that David s reign was an imperfect foreshadowing of the reign of Christ Himself, we can also see in Absalom s conspiracy a picture of the schemes of the enemies of the Lord. Darkness masquerading as light has always been the strategy of the evil one (2 Cor. 11:14). Unfortunately the work of evil sometimes intimidates the people of God. The diversion of their focus from the power of God to the schemes of man brings fearfulness and anxiety. What indications do you see in 2 Samuel 15:1-9 that Absalom was seeking to depose David from the throne of Israel? 74 Explore the Bible Personal Study Guide

3 EXPLORE THE TEXT ENTITLEMENT (2 SAM. 15:10-12) 10 Then Absalom sent agents throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: When you hear the sound of the ram s horn, you are to say, Absalom has become king in Hebron! 11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They had been invited and were going innocently, for they did not know the whole situation. 12 While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for David s adviser Ahithophel the Gilonite, from his city of Giloh. So the conspiracy grew strong, and the people supporting Absalom continued to increase. VERSE 10 After building a base of support over a period of four years, Absalom used a seemingly innocuous event to send a pronouncement through the kingdom that he had assumed the throne. This was done through the use of secret messengers dispersed through all of Israel. In addition, since the prince was in Hebron with royal approval, there was an element of sanction that would have misled some. The sound of the ram s horn was not merely the ancient equivalent of the morning news. It also would have been a clarion call to arms, an invitation to join Absalom in his overthrow of his father David. The news would have swept through the kingdom quickly while Absalom sat securely behind the fortified walls of Hebron. VERSE 11 The presence of two hundred men there at Hebron who had been duped into attendance at the coup also gave the sense of orderliness. There was great intentionality on the part of Absalom in his invitation to these men. They were royal officials, men with administrative responsibility. Their absence from the city of David at the beginning of the uprising would have handicapped the king s response to the revolt. The description that they did not know the whole situation is ripe with meaning for today. In many situations where leadership in a church is in question, all of the facts are not known. Session 8 : Deposed 75

4 Conflict arises in part because many people do not have all the information at their disposal. We can easily imagine some who might have leaned toward siding with Absalom quickly changing their minds after the whole truth became evident. Some might consider this an overly optimistic viewpoint, but a group of people will generally come to the same conclusion about an issue if they all have access to the same information. Self-centered leaders are most effectively dealt with and exposed by taking the time to understand all the facts related to their leadership. VERSE 12 Even though his supposed vow to come to Hebron to sacrifice was a ruse, Absalom followed through on the charade by offering the sacrifices. As with all self-centered leaders, he maintained a public image that was divergent from his inner motivations. We know this about Absalom because even while he was offering the sacrifices, he was continuing to play politics behind the scenes. Absalom enlisted Ahithophel [uh HITH oh fel] the Gilonite [GIGH loh night], David s advisor, who was the grandfather of Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11:3; 23:34). Perhaps his presence in Giloh rather than Jerusalem indicated some prior complicity with Absalom but this can t be known with certainty. Nor can we say for sure that as Bathsheba s grandfather he bore resentment against David but the possibility exists. One thing is for certain: this was a great blow to David s cause because of Ahithophel s level of influence (16:23). Nevertheless, in spite of the blow that Ahithophel s defection seemed to be at the time, the Lord would eventually turn his counsel into foolishness, per David s prayer in 2 Samuel 15:31. His counsel to Absalom would eventually be rejected in favor of Hushai s military advice (17:1-14) because the latter appealed to Absalom s ego and thirst for glory. The prince was not a great warrior, yet he paid heed to the plan that put him into battle and eventually cost him his life. The overreach of selfish ambition and entitlement usually leads to one s downfall. How can a person s loyalty get in the way of the truth? What are the dangers of blind trust? 76 Explore the Bible Personal Study Guide

5 FRIGHT (2 SAM. 15:13-16) 13 Then an informer came to David and reported, The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom. 14 David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, Get up. We have to flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! Leave quickly, or he will overtake us quickly, heap disaster on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword. 15 The king s servants said to the king, Whatever my lord the king decides, we are your servants. 16 Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace. VERSES A report came to David that the men of Israel had aligned with Absalom. Frequently in the time of the judges and the early stages of the monarch, this phrase referred to the military forces. As with other types of thievery, stealing the hearts of the troops and the people at large took place through deception. Absalom went to Hebron because he feigned devotion to God and captured the affections of the people by pretending to be their advocate. David was alarmed at the report brought to him. He immediately realized the threat posed by the sudden emergence of rebellion, so he ordered his family and servant to leave the city. This was the first time David had ever given this order as king. The king feared for his life but also for Jerusalem in the event that Absalom would strike the city with the edge of the sword. The possibility of a long, protracted siege was real and would have brought great suffering to the inhabitants. Some might question David s evacuation order and whether it was prompted by fear or faith, but the result of it no doubt spared many lives. How did David s unchecked fear enable and embolden Absalom? How does unchecked fear enable and embolden self-centered leaders today? VERSES Even in these dire circumstances marked by intrigue and betrayal there were shining moments of loyalty. His servants pledged to Session 8 : Deposed 77

6 remain true to him whatever course of action he might prescribe. One of the by-products of adversity and opposition is that it provides an opportunity for true friendship to rise to the surface. There was more than just talk from the king s household. They followed as David evacuated the city with his family and servants, leaving behind ten concubines to take care of the palace. As nonmilitary combatants, their safety was assured. This should also be viewed as David s intention that no warfare be conducted in Jerusalem, the city of peace. What are some ways people can show loyalty to a friend encountering opposition? How does a person weigh the cost of being loyal against their own sense of security? KEY DOCTRINE: God the Father God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. FLIGHT (2 SAM. 15:24-30) 24 Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until the people had finished marching past. 25 Then the king instructed Zadok, Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor with the Lord, he will bring me back and allow me to see both it and its dwelling place. 26 However, if he should say, I do not delight in you, then here I am he can do with me whatever pleases him. 27 The king also said to the priest Zadok, Look, return to the city in peace and your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar s son Jonathan. 28 Remember, I ll wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me. 29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there. 30 David was climbing the slope of the Mount of Olives, weeping as 78 Explore the Bible Personal Study Guide

7 he ascended. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. All of the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they ascended. VERSE 24 Zadok was of the priestly lineage, a descendant of Aaron (1 Chron. 6:3-8). His name meant the Lord is righteous, and all biblical accounts of him confirm righteous behavior on his part. He was present along with the Levites as David hastily left Jerusalem. These descendants of the tribe of Levi assisted the priests in the offering of sacrifices, offered by Abiathar, another righteous supporter of David. This offering continued until all of those who followed David had exited the city. The priests had carried the ark of the covenant of God as a part of the procession. The ark was a visible symbol of the presence of God (Num. 10:35-36) and His throne (Ps. 132:7-8). It contained the Ten Commandments written on stone. Designed for mobility, it was logical to think that the priests would carry it with the royal entourage coming out of Jerusalem. No doubt in the minds of some, the presence of God could not be conceived apart from this holy relic. VERSES David instructed Zadok to take the ark back to Jerusalem. While some might have viewed it in a superstitious manner, David had a different viewpoint. He believed that his future was determined by God. It didn t disturb David that Absalom would have possession of the ark in Jerusalem, for he knew that apart from the Lord s favor and pleasure, the ark was nothing more than a religious artifact. The entire crisis of Absalom s rebellion became a staging area for David s trust in God. Rather than trusting in the ark or in the location of the holy city of Jerusalem, he chose to put his confidence in the Lord. Psalm 3 is related to this very event, and its climax expressed David s faith: Salvation belongs to the Lord (Ps. 3:8). The king s attitude was not one of fatalism. He wasn t saying, Well, whatever will be, will be. Instead, he acknowledged the sovereign will of God and took the same holy posture as other faithful men of God: here I am. Yielding to the Lord s will demonstrates trust in His loving provision and protection. Session 8 : Deposed 79

8 VERSES This is not to say that David did not possess a measure of practicality. He instructed Zadok and two other priests to return to the city and to function as his spies. Also, he gave a rendezvous point for the passing of important information at the fords of the wilderness, one of the usual crossing points of the Jordan River. This information would be vital to David because he would not move his party until he heard from Zadok. His faith in God didn t keep him from assessing the risks and the threats facing him. VERSE 30 Faith and grief are not mutually exclusive. David wept as he climbed the Mount of Olives and those with him joined him in that expression of grief. Joining others in their sorrow is a beautiful expression of unity and solidarity. Covering one s head and walking barefoot were accepted expressions of loss in ancient times, similar to our practice of wearing black clothing at a funeral. A fundamental principle of biblical interpretation is that all Scripture points to Jesus Christ. Even passages such as ours that predate the Lord s earthly life should be read with a Christ-centered focus. David s trek up the Mount of Olives prefigured Jesus life and ministry. On multiple occasions, the story of our Savior played out against this geographical backdrop. It serves us well to be reminded that Jesus was the Son of David, and that the royal behaviors of His ancestor would become a pattern for His own. How can believers grieve betrayal in life and still maintain their trust in God? Where is the balance between common sense and faith? BIBLE SKILL: Look for ways Scripture interprets Scripture. Consider Ecclesiastes 4: How does the history of Saul, David, and Absalom illustrate this text? 80 Explore the Bible Personal Study Guide

9 IN MY CONTEXT Selfish ambition leads to self-inflation of our abilities and entitlements. Opposition becomes an opportunity for true friends to demonstrate their loyalty. Believers must weigh the risks in the face of threats, trusting God for deliverance. Evaluate your life goals. What adjustments do you need to make to ensure all your goals are God-honoring? Memorize Psalm 131:1. To what person needing to be encouraged by genuine friendship could your small group offer support this week? What peripheral aspects of your Christian experience compete with Christ Himself as the primary focus of your trust? Prayer Needs Session 8 : Deposed 81

welcome July 22, 2018

welcome July 22, 2018 Connect Church Welcome to Connect Church If you are visiting with us for the first time, WELCOME! We are glad it was your choice to worship Christ with us today. We hope this time