2 Samuel 15:1-10 After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run ahead of him.2Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the road into the gate; and when anyone brought a suit before the king for judgment, Absalom would call out and say, “From what city are you?” When the person said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,”3Absalom would say, “See, your claims are good and right; but there is no one deputed by the king to hear you.”4Absalom said moreover, “If only I were judge in the land! Then all who had a suit or cause might come to me, and I would give them justice.”5Whenever people came near to do obeisance to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of them, and kiss them.6Thus Absalom did to every Israelite who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel. 7At the end of fouryears Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron and pay the vow that I have made to theLord.8For your servant made a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram: If theLordwill indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will worship theLordin Hebron.”9The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he got up, and went to Hebron.10But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then shout: Absalom has become king at Hebron!”
Betrayal
First in a series “Getting Through the Storms”
1) The pain and consequences of betrayal
2) Learning from David and Absalom: Six T’s
· Take time on the journey, trusting God for justice (15:24 ff.)
· Tell truth carefully, and take responsibility for your part (16:5 ff.)
· Take steps forward (15:34 ff.)
· Turn the other cheek (15:19 ff.,18:5, 18:33)
Key Verse for the Week: The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” -- 2 Samuel 18:33
Questions for Conversation and Reflection
When have you been betrayed? How has your perspective changed with time? How did you behave in ways different than the one who betrayed you?