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Context No. 2737 of 4322 · 2 Samuel

Context · Reflection

2 Samuel 15:1-6: in context

1After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, and fifty men to run before him. 2Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. When any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him, and said, “What city are you from?” He said, “Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.” 3Absalom said to him, “Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.” 4Absalom said moreover, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!” 5It was so, that when any man came near to bow down to him, he stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him. 6Absalom did this sort of thing to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

Absalom, David's son, begins his rebellion not with an army but with charm. He gets himself a chariot, horses, and fifty runners, then rises early to stand by the road to the city gate, where people come seeking the king's judgment. To each one he says the same thing: your case is good and right, but there is no one appointed by the king to hear you. If only I were made judge, I would give everyone justice.

And when a man moves to bow before him, Absalom reaches out, takes hold of him, and kisses him. In this way, the text says, he stole the hearts of Israel. Look at the method. He agrees that every grievance is valid, promises a justice he will never have to deliver, and undermines his father without once naming him. It costs him nothing to flatter. He builds a following on discontent he stirs but has no intention of healing.

When I win people to my side, am I meeting their real need, or just flattering their grievances the way Absalom did?

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