2 Samuel 15:7 - Meaning and Application

Here we see Absalom’s rebellion breaking out after long planning. The text says it was “after forty years” (2 Samuel 15:7), though it is not clear from what point those years are counted. It was probably not from the start of David’s reign, since that would place it near the end of David’s life. It may instead be counted from Samuel’s first anointing of David, or from the time Israel first asked for a king.

Absalom chose Hebron as the place where his followers would gather. Hebron was his own birthplace, and it was also where David first began to reign. That gave Absalom’s claim some appearance of right, since Hebron was a royal city and lay in Judah, the tribe where he likely thought he had support. Ambitious people often choose places that make their plans look lawful and strong.

His excuse for going there, and for inviting others, was that he wanted to offer a sacrifice to God in keeping with a vow he said he had made during exile (2 Samuel 15:7-8). There is good reason to doubt that he had really made such a vow. But a man willing to commit murder and treason would not hesitate to tell a lie for his own gain. If he said he had made a vow, no one could easily prove otherwise.

This excuse worked with David. David was glad to hear that his son seemed eager to return to Jerusalem, the city of God, and to serve the Lord. David was even willing to let Absalom make the sacrifice in Hebron rather than in Zion or Gibeon, because he was pleased with the supposed devotion itself. Tender parents are often quick to believe the best about their children, even when those children have given much reason for distrust. But children can easily use a good parent’s trust to hide bad intentions under a show of religion.

Absalom also brought 200 men with him, likely leading men from Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:11). They went willingly and honestly, not suspecting any evil purpose. Absalom did not try to draw them directly into his scheme, since they were firmly loyal to David. Instead, he used them as a public show, so others would think he had the support of important men. It is no new thing for wicked men to use good people and good things to cover bad actions. When religion is turned into a cover for sedition and power grabs, some sincere people are deceived and end up giving support to what they would truly hate.

His wider plan was to have himself proclaimed king throughout Israel as soon as the signal was given (2 Samuel 15:10). He sent spies ahead to be ready in every region, so they could welcome the news with loud approval and persuade the people that they must rally to their new king. When the proclamation spread, some would think David was dead, while others would think he had given up the throne. In that confusion, many would side with Absalom without understanding what was really happening. Ambitious men use many tricks to reach their goals, and in politics as in religion, we should not believe every claim without testing it.

The person Absalom especially wanted was Ahithophel, a wise and shrewd counselor, David’s former adviser and close friend (Psalm 55:13; Psalm 41:9). Ahithophel had once been someone David trusted deeply, but now he had withdrawn from public life, perhaps because of some disagreement with David. Absalom could not have found a better tool for his purposes, because Ahithophel had great judgment and experience, yet was unhappy with the present government. While Absalom was still pretending to worship, he sent for Ahithophel, which showed how little his heart was really set on devotion. His ambition mattered more to him than finishing his sacrifice.

In the end, many people joined him, and the conspiracy grew strong and dangerous. Those he had flattered and praised now followed him, and many others were drawn in by their influence. A large crowd is not a safe rule for deciding what is right. Many people once followed evil together, and even a great number can be wrong. Whether Absalom acted only from pride and love of power, or also from bitterness against his father and revenge for his exile, is not fully clear. But in general, one who reaches for a crown is usually reaching for the head that wears it.