The Conspiracy of Absalom: A Type of Modern Religious Deception
“…So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israelâ€
(2 Samuel 15:6)
The conspiracy of Absalom, against King David, serves to remind us that God’s kingdom is not immune from plots to transfer power and lead men astray.(2 Sam. 15:1-12).
A. 2 Sam. 14:33 – The story unfolds with a touching scene of David receiving Absalom with a kiss of reconciliation.
B. 2 Sam. 15:1 – Absalom then got himself a following.
C. 2 Sam. 15:2-6 – Absalom began campaigning for himself privately.
D. 2 Sam. 15:7-12 – Absalom instigated an open plot to make himself king.
So, the scheming actions of Absalom worked: “And a messenger came to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.†( 2 Sam. 15:13, 6). It seems that God allows certain things to happen in the world even when those things may bring harm and hurt. This must have something to do with free-will, evil, chance, and, sometimes, an opportunity for God’s grace and the power of Christ to rest upon us (Rom. 7:19; 21; Eccl. 9:11; 2 Cor. 12:8,9).
If Joseph of Genesis, David of the Psalms, Paul of Acts, and Jesus of the Gospels, had plots against them, we shouldn’t think it strange that we, ourselves, may be in the sights of the adversary (Eph. 6:11,12,16; Acts 20:30). This is what we know for sure: All men are sinners, and there is none righteous (Rom. 3:23,10); blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count sin (Rom. 4:8); but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:23; John 16:33).
Stolen hearts are nothing new. Nevertheless, sincere and pure devotion to Christ is possible today (2 Corinthians 11:3). Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23).
–Robert M. Housby