II SAMUEL 15 Lesson # 17
BEING BETRAYED
I. Introduction:
Note: Today we are going to talk about treachery, disloyalty and betrayal. This is something that has happened in all ages and in all cultures.
Q Can you name some famous people who betrayed others or have been betrayed?
An = Let them name all those who they can think of. If they do not mention him, remind them of Judas. Jesus Himself was betrayed. This is important to remember for at least two reasons. Betrayal can happen to anyone, even someone who is totally innocent. When we are betrayed the Lord really understands us. He knows what we experience and suffer.
Note: David has been betrayed before by Saul, because of jealousy and by the city of Keilah (I Samuel 23) when it would have been costly for them to support David. Now we will read of one of his own sons who decides to turn on David.
II. Absalom Prepares For A Coup: II Samuel 15:1-6.
>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 14:25-27.
Q What does the narrator want us to know about Absalom?
An = That he was exceedingly handsome. Hair then as now could be a sign of beauty and virility. Also, he had children (potential heirs) and his daughter was beautiful. Now coming back to our story today let us read how this handsome young man portrays himself.
>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 15:1.
Q What type of image is Absalom trying to create?
An = One of great substance and importance. He cultivates an image of grandeur. Israelite kings were not to multiply horses or chariots. Samuel had warned in I Samuel 8:11 that getting a king will entail such opulence. >>> Have someone read I Samuel 8:11. Absalom is working on his image.
>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 15:2-4.
Q Do people like to be asked about their home town?
An = Yes, we like to be able to tell people about ourselves, or origins, especially if important people ask in a positive manner. We also like to be asked when we think we have been slighted or not treated as important.
Q Now what is Absalom trying to tell Israel about his father and himself?
An = He is trying to do two things. One is to portray his father as someone uninterested in justice and put him in as bad a light as possible. Kings were supposed to be the ultimate court of appeal in the land. Second, he was trying to vault up himself as a much better candidate for his father’s position.
Were these charges true? The text does not say. Except there is a possible subtle answer in two ways. Just previously in chapter 14 the widow woman of Tekoa seemed to have been able to get a sympathetic hearing from David. Second will be in the phrasing of 15:6. We will come to that later.
>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 15:5.
Q What is Absalom trying to do now?
An = He going back to working on his image. We all love to see our hero’s portrayed as magnificent (good looks, the chariot, horses, 50 men running in front) and then to be seemingly very accessible. Absalom projects magnificence and humility, a winning combination.
>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 15:6.
Q What were the results of Absalom’s promoting his image and attacking the image of his father?
An = He stole the hearts of the men of Israel. Actually, the word heart means more the “mind” rather than “affections”. You could say he “duped or deceived” Israel (see McCarter, p. 356; Gordon, p. 271). This might be a subtle hint from the narrator that David’s judicial procedures were not as bad as Absalom presented them.
Q Why does Absalom play the “justice” card?
An = It could be that Absalom has never forgiven his father for not bringing justice to the situation of the rape of his sister Tamar. David just got mad and so Absalom took matters into his own hands. David’s response to Tamar’s rape was anger at the injustice that he saw. However, he did nothing. Emotion is not enough, action is needed.
What is even more ironic is the man that told Israel he should be the one to bring justice for them was someone who himself did not pay for the murder of his brother. To be sure Absalom was trying to avenge his sister’s honor, but never-the-less, the one accusing David of being unjust is a murderer.
Note: Remember, the motives of those who betray us will often be justified in their own minds. Absalom may have had no remorse in bad-mouthing his dad. He might have even felt justified in doing so.
Note: Matthew Henry (p. 347) reminds us that “Those that know how to obey well know how to rule. Those are good indeed that are good in their own place, not those that pretend how good they would be in other people’s places”.
III. Absalom’s Implements The Coup: II Samuel 15:7-12.
>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 15:7-8.
Q Under what guise did Absalom hid his conspiracy against his father?
An = Under the guise of religion. He told his father he was going to fulfill a vow in Hebron that he had made to God. This is the third time David is deceived by a son and the second time by Absalom. Obviously, Absalom has little regard for God or faith. He callously uses David’s faith to deceive him.
>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 15:9-12.
Q What are the parts of Absalom’s strategy?
An = It seems like a smart move. First, he gets some distance in Hebron and therefore some safety. Second he seeks broad based support (inter-tribal) readied for a signal. Third, he pulls in people from Jerusalem who came unaware of his plans. It is possible he did this so that David thinks the capital is also against him. Finally, he sends for a key player: Ahithophel.
IV. David Leaves the City: How To React To Betrayal. II Samuel 15:13-37.
Note: All of us have been or some day will be betrayed. So how do we act? Let us watch David. David is imperfect, that we know, but we can still learn from this man.
>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 15:13-17.
Q What is David’s reasons for leaving the fortified city of Jerusalem?
An = David is immediately sure Absalom will kill them. We the readers know he brutally killed his brother and burned Joab’s field to get his way. David wants to escape, and he wants to spare Jerusalem from a violent attack. When we are betrayed we need to be careful we do not pull down others with us.
>>>> Have someone read John 18:7-8.
Q Did Jesus try to drag others with Him when He was arrested?
An = No, He did not. He covered for them. He shows real strength of character. He shows true leadership.
>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 15:18-22.
Q How does David treat the foreigner Ittai when he offers to fight on David’s side?
An = He releases him from his service and allows him to return to Absalom with his blessing (verse 20). Ittai, the foreigner, proves more loyal than many of David’s own countrymen and his own children.
>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 15:23-29.
Q Whose side are the priest’s on?
An = David’s and they bring the ark of the covenant of God with them.
Q Why does David not use the ark (a war symbol and the ultimate symbol of God’s presence) in his hour of need?
An = David has faith in God and submits to God and God’s will. He will not use or manipulate God. But notice, David is not stupid: he tells the priest to send him valuable information.
>>>> Have someone read II Samuel 15:30-37.
Q What is the emotional reaction to David leaving Jerusalem?
An = The whole affair is filled with sadness and sorrow. In 15:23 there is weeping by those in the countryside. In 15:30 David weeps, covers his head, goes barefoot, and his troops cover their heads and weep. In 15:32 Hushai comes with a torn coat and dust on his head.
Q In verse 31 how does David react to the news of Ahithophel’s going over to Absalom’s side?
An = He reacts with prayer. He asks God to curse Ahithophel’s advice. He asks for practical help. Notice he also is willing to use his insight and brains to undermine the potential damage someone as smart as Ahithophel could create. Matthew Henry (p. 348) says “We must second our prayer with our endeavors, else we tempt God.” Brueggemann says (p. 304) that “The narrative is crafted so that David’s piety and his realism converge.” David prays to God for help in thwarting Ahithophel (31), but also acts (33-36) in sending Hushai to counteract Ahithophel’s sagacity and to send him needed information though the sons of the high priests.
Q So what do we learn from David in his reactions to his horrible position of this life-threatening betrayal?
An = David does not try to bring others down with him (leaving Jerusalem and offering to release Ittai). Second, David does not try to use or manipulate religious symbols (he sends back the ark). Instead, David submits himself to God’s will and prays (about the new Ahithophel threat). Finally, David uses his brains and plays all the cards he has in his attempt to survive the coup. David does not go brain dead.
Q How many of you have been betrayed by people close to you?