2 Samuel 15

Absalom was not a man who could be trusted. He had already proven this by scheming to kill his brother and by burning Joab's field. He had taken upon himself the role of a king, and he liked the feel of the crown that he imagined was his for the taking.

When the time was right he began his plot. Through his dramatic entourage, his generous posture as a benefactor of the people, and his warm embraces of those who were disposed to admire him, he stole away the hearts of the people.

He again involved King David in his deception as he had in the murder of Amnon. Absalom patiently executed his plan to have himself proclaimed king over Israel. He even involved the Name of the Lord in his plot claiming that he was going to Hebron to pay his vow to the Lord. Absalom was not a nice man, despite his play-acting. He was a conspirator against his own father.

David was the true king of Israel. But now the time had come for him to leave Jerusalem, at least for a time. David had been played by his own son. But now he found enough strength in his soul to protect his household and his servants, urging them to flee with him and to trust the Lord in this time of distress.

This was a sad moment for any who would see the situation in truth. Absalom had deceived many people, but some in Israel had the wisdom to weep with the king as David and his companions crossed the brook Kidron.

Absalom would surely have killed his own father and any who were loyal to David in order to satisfy his own ambitions. But there were still men in Israel who were steadfast in their love for the man that God had taken from guarding the sheep to be king over His people Israel.

David's trust was in the Lord. If it was the Lord's will to save David, He could surely accomplish that. David's words were simple and inspiring. “Let Him do to me what seems good to Him.”

The account of the king's departure is still moving. “David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went.”

Many years later a sad moment of betrayal of the true King of Israel would take place on this same spot. Judas would betray Jesus with a kiss.

Jesus gave Himself entirely to the will of His Father. As Isaiah had foretold, “It was the will of the Lord to crush Him.” But Jesus would show forth an astounding victory over a world of death in just three days. Again Isaiah says, “When His soul makes an offering for guilt, He shall see His offspring, He shall prolong His days.”

We who call upon the Name of the true Son of David are Sons of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We will not follow false Messiahs, no matter how appealing they may seem to our eyes and our ears or how friendly their embrace. Jesus is Lord forever.