Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 20 Issue 13 July 4th, 2010
Our story today is about King David and his son Absalom.
II Samuel 15
For four years Absalom prepared an insurrection toward his dad, King David. His plan was simple - he’d go and stand out at the gate. That way anyone coming to the king for council had to pass by him. He’d call out to them asking about their complaint.
Always siding with the individual's cause, he’d cap off his treachery by saying, “too bad there is no one set up to hear you! If only I were made judge, I’d get you justice.”
David seemed unaware of this until word came to him, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” David’s
response was to get out of Jerusalem. David left ten of his concubines to keep the house. He flees the city and with him is Zadok and all the Levites carrying the ark of the covenant.
But, David says to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city...if I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he’ll bring me back again and I will see the ark again!”
It is so easy to blame others for our problems, but David, when faced with a problem, would examine himself. Verse 30 shows David going up the mount Olivet, weeping, his head covered, barefoot.
Psalm 64:1-6 “Hear my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked.”
· Released from the fear - that is important!
· Hide me from the secret things that are said.
We don't need to know this stuff, it would only hinder us, crippling us emotionally.
It looks really bad for David. The whole nation is against him, including his son. However, this is not time for self pity, it is a time to get alone with God, to get a Word from Him!
Yet when David prayed, the heavens were silent, not a word from God! Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem the plot thickens and Absalom sends for Ahithophel, David's counsellor.
Have you ever been to a point that it seemed it couldn't get any worse?
In II Samuel 15:31 David’s general Ahithophel becomes one of Absalom’s
followers.
Ahithophel knew David! He knew where David was - knew his weakness - knew his interspection. David is at his absolute lowest point.....and that is when God spoke.
Suddenly a word of wisdom springs up in his heart: David throws off the ashes, quits his mourning and prays, “O LORD, I pray You, turn the wisdom of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
And it came to pass, that when David reached the top of the mount, he worshipped God! And why not?
He had gotten an answer. He had just heard from God! He still had the anointing.
David could now worship God, because he was no longer trying to figure out an escape.
There are times we hinder God with our planning, we limit Him with our anxiety.
Friends…..let God be God!
Exodus 14:13 “Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.”
Look what happens
While David worships God, Hushai came to meet him, his coat rent, and dirt on his head. This guy is one of David's friends. He is no general, nor does he know a lick about warfare. He is simply David's friend.
He doesn't have a plan, he’s just there for David. David says, “You’ll just be a burden to me if you go with me. But if you return to the city and tell Absalom, I’ll be your servant. As I’ve been your father's servant, so I’ll now also be your servant. Then you’ll defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.”
So Hushai, David's friend returns to the city. When he found Absalom he said, “God save the king!”
Absalom replied, “Is this your way of being kind to your friend? Why didn't you go with David?” Hushai said, “No; but whom the LORD, and these people choose, his friend will I be. Just let me hang around, as I behaved myself in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence.” (Priceless)
Satisfied with that response, Absalom asks Ahithophel to give counsel regarding what they should do. First Ahithophel tells Absalom that all Israel would fear him if he committed adultery with his father's concubines left in the city.
Then he said let me take 1200 men and pursue after David this night. “I will come on him while he is weary and weak. We’ll cause fear among the people that are with him and they’ flee. Then I’ll kill him and him alone. And I will bring back all the people to you. And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.”
Now remember, If any body knew David it was Ahithophel! What had come out of Ahithophel's mouth is extreme wisdom! But remember David's prayer....“Turn the council of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
Absalom asked Hushai what he thought. Hushai said, “Ahithophel’s council is not good at this time. You know your father and his men, they are mighty men, and they're mad! Like a bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is a man of war.. he won't stay with the people. Therefore I counsel that all Israel be called in to gather around you, then you Absalom lead the biggest army assembled in our time! That way when you find him nothing will be left of them but a memory!”
If there was anything Absalom didn’t know it was his father! Absalom's pride was stroked by Hushai.
He said, “The counsel of Hushai is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.”
Let me tell you that Hushai gave him the dumbest council possible! He sends out the whole army to get David. Like Saul in his insanity, he sends a whole army after one man!
So dumb is this counsel it left Ahithophel severely shocked. He goes home, gets his house in order and hangs himself.
Absalom calls the armies of Israel out. So great is this army it covered the land and there is Absalom leading the way!
Funny thing about Absalom….his hair grew 7 lbs a year. He loved long hair.
On this particular day, his hair was blowing in the breeze behind him and he somehow gets his hair caught in the branches of an oak tree.
Pulled off of his horse, he hangs there in the tree, infront of the whole nation. They must of thought, “What kind of an idiot are we following? We’re going out to battle and our king is dangling from a tree branch by his hair!”
We’re not told exactly why but he is just left there... hanging!
David loved Absalom and he had told his men to treat Absalom gently. Yet Joab hears of Absalom hanging in the tree, finds him there and kills him.
Now great fear fills those who had disobeyed David. They all head back to Jerusalem.
What took four years to plan and instigate by man, was overturned
in a moment by God!
Psalm 64:7-10 “But God shall shoot at them [with] an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded…. The righteous shall be glad in the LORD… the upright in heart shall glory.”
BUT GOD! Those two words can turn a whole situation around!
All the men repented before the Lord as to their actions and attitudes toward David and God brought forth a healing!
Proverbs 26:27 “Whoever digs a pit shall fall in it: and he that rolls a stone, will have it return on him.”
So how do you pray when it seems everything is falling apart around you?
1. Ask God to search your heart
2. Get alone with God - get a Word from Him
3. Worship Him from your heart - worship in faith!
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