Rise Of The KingsThe Books of I & II Samuel

II Samuel 15:1 – 19:8a

“Absalom’s Rebellion”

Announcements

I and II SamuelWeek Date Topic

1 07 Mar 12 Samuel’s Call: 1 Samuel 1:1-4:1a2 14 Mar 12 The Ark Narratives: 1 Samuel 4:1b-7:173 21 Mar 12 Israel Demands a King: 1 Samuel 8-124 28 Mar 12 The Decline of Saul: 1 Samuel 13-155 04 Apr 12 David – God’s Anointed: 1 Samuel 16-196 11 Apr 12 Saul’s Rejection of David: 1 Samuel 20:1-28:27 18 Apr 12 The Death of Saul: 1 Samuel 28:3-31:138 25 Apr 12 David Becomes King: II Samuel 1-69 02 May 12 The Davidic Covenant: II Samuel 7-1010 09 May 12 Senior Blessing11 16 May 12 David’s Moral Failure: II Samuel 11-1412 23 May 12 Absalom’s Rebellion: II Samuel 15:1-19:8a13 30 May 12 David Returns to Jerusalem: II Samuel 19:8b-24

Today’s Objectives• Review last week’s lesson, historical background,

and timeline for the books of I and II Samuel• Review historical maps of Israel and the region• Read Chapter 15, Reviewed Chapters 16:1-19:8• Review how David sinned the second and third

order effects of his sin• Find out how Absalom conspired to steal the throne

from his father and how David fled from the threat• Further develop a desire to follow God’s lead,

especially in the middle difficult circumstances

Historical Background• Samuel named as the primary author

– Samuel was the 13th (or 15th) judge of Israel– Nathan of Gad wrote about David’s life (1 Chron 29:29)– Abiathar, high priest, may have wrote later chapters

• Existed as one book until translated into Greek around 300-200 B.C.

• Written between 931 B.C. and 722 B.C. and covered the period from 1080-950 B.C. or 130 years

• Imperialistic void– Hittite and Egyptian empires had fallen more than a century

earlier– Smaller kingdoms like the Ugarit had disintegrated as well

Historical Background• Transition period in Israel’s history

– Conclusion of a great famine in the land (see Ruth 1:1)– After the exodus, end of the period of the judges, and

beginning of the monarchy – Israel had disintegrated morally, spiritually, politically

• II Samuel Chapter 15-19 Key Events– Absalom goes to Hebron to hatch his plot against David– David flees Jerusalem– David directs the return of the Ark to Jerusalem– David meets Ziba – gives land of Mephibosheth– Absalom attacks David– Absalom loses, Joab kills Absalom

• Absalom resentment– Had been banished from the kings court– Ultimately restored, but resentment remained

• Absalom desired to succeed David as king– Built a large entourage (15:1)– Give the appearance of being important– Also a sign of an overbearing king (see I Sam 8:11)

• Absalom intends to steal favor of the people from David– Sat alongside the road leading to Jerusalem (15:2)– Questions each person

Absalom Plots against David (15:1-12)

• Absalom’s deceptive “game” (15:2-4)– Where they were from (which tribe)– Remarks that they deserved to win their case– Lamented about how the king would not listen to their

complaints– Expressed a desire to be king, stated he would be fair to all – Promised that their problem would be handled justly

• Trademarks of Absalom– Portrayed himself as important– When people approached him an bowed down, he would

embrace and kiss them– Left the impression that he was humble and caring

Absalom Plots against David (15:1-12)

• Absalom asks for permission to travel to Hebron– “To fulfill a vow”– Made while living with the Arameans in Geshur

Promised to worship the Lord in Hebron if God brought him back to Jerusalem (15:7-8)

– Absalom was born in Hebron– King David grants Absalom’s request

• Absalom builds his plot– Dispatches runners to announce Absalom Is king in

Hebron (15:10)– Invites hundreds of officials to coincide with the plot– People continue to join Absalom (15:11-12)

Absalom Plots against David (15:1-12)

David Flees from Jerusalem (15:13-23)• David learns of the plot (15:13-14)

– Messenger arrives and tells David– Israel had transferred their allegiance to Absalom– Realized he had to leave quickly or face slaughter/civil

war– His officials remain loyal (15:15)

• David leaves Jerusalem– Left behind 10 concubines (see 12:11, 16:21-22, 20:3)– Stops to watch his officials march past – David urges foreigners to return to Jerusalem (15:19)– Although, they remained (15:21)– Continue traveling across the Kidron Valley (15:23)

David Gives Instructions to Friends (15:24-37)• Levites accompanies David out of Jerusalem

– Zadok, the chief priest– Carrying the ark of the covenant– Abiathar offers sacrifices (15:24)

• David directs the return of the ark to Jerusalem– Ark belong in Jerusalem– Depend on God, not the ark– If God is please, he would return David to power– Told Zadok and Abiathar to return to Jerusalem– They would report back to David (15:27-28)

• David continues up the slope of the Mount of Olives

David Gives Instructions to Friends (15:24-37)• King David demonstrates his sorrow (15:29-30)

– Entire group shows their grief• David learns that Ahithophel was helping Absalom

seize the throne– David responds by asking God to frustrate Ahithophel’s

advice (15:31)• Meets Hushai the Arkite on top of the mountain

– Suggested he return to Jerusalem and pledge his support to Absalom

– Hushai could then serve to undermine Absalom’s rule– Report to David through Zadok and Abiathar’s son’s

(15:35-36)

II Samuel 16:1-19:8 In Brief• David encounters Ziba and Shimei• Hushai meets Absalom, pledges support• Ahithophel provides advice to Absalom

– Takes some advice (concubines)– Rejects Ahithophel’s advice in favor of Hushai advice (to

not attack David)– Ahithophel commits suicide because of the rejection

• David learns of the Absalom decision to attack– Absalom divides his soldiers for the attack– Battled in the forest of Ephraim– Joab and his men kill Absalom– David weeps over the loss, Joab rebukes David

Review• Reviewed last week’s lesson, historical background,

and timeline for the books of I and II Samuel• Reviewed historical maps of Israel and the region• Read Chapter 15, Reviewed Chapters 16:1-19:8• Reviewed how David sinned the second and third

order effects of his sin• Found out how Absalom conspired to steal the

throne from his father and how David fled from the threat

• Further developed a desire to follow God’s lead, especially in the middle difficult circumstances