2 Samuel 15:1-29 “God’s Will or Our Ambition?”
“Now it came about after this that Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him.” (1) We see Absalom creating a false perception of having obtained a place of rule and influence. His promotion did not come God, but from selfish ambition. Beyond this he began identifying with people of need sowing discontentment in them and presenting himself as the solution [if I were king I would fix it for you]. Absalom is a lot like many politicians who appeal to the need and greed of human nature, but are really acting on behalf of their promotion to position and power: “…; so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.” (6b). He carefully covered his motives by clothing his actions with a pretense of devotion to God. He also won over a key counselor and others went along in ignorance (11-12). Consequently, “…the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom.” (12c). When David realizes Absalom’s intent, he is forced to flee for his life and his loyal servants follow him. After they left the city, David sent Zadok and Abiathar [Levites] back with the ark of God to the city until He learned where God was in all this: “The king said to Zadok. ‘Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the LORD, then He will bring me back again and show me both it and His habitation.” (25) In contrast to Absalom who was driven by personal ambition, David’s heart was that God’s will prevail [even at his the cost of his life]. God’s will is always preeminent in godly leadership!
