2 Samuel 15

2 Samuel 15

Wiersbe - He agreed with all of them their complaints were right and should be settled in their favor by the king’s court. It was gross flattery of the most despicable kind, but the people loved it. (Borrow Be Restored) Pulpit Commentary - intercepting the suitors on their way, would ask their city and tribe, and listen to their complaint, and assure them of the goodness of their cause, and lament that, as the king could not hear all causes easily himself, he did not appoint others to aid him in his duties. It was delay and procrastination of which Absalom complained; and as many of the litigants had probably come day after day, and not succeeded in getting a hearing, they were already in ill humour and prepared to find fault. 2 Samuel 15:4 Moreover, Absalom would say, "Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice." Oh that I: Jdg 9:1-5,29 Pr 25:6 Lu 14:8-11 I would do: Pr 27:2 2Pe 2:19 2 Samuel 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABSALOM PLOTTING TO OUST KING Moreover, Absalom would say, "Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice." NLT - "I wish I were the judge. Then people could bring their problems to me, and I would give them justice!" Who was the supreme (human) judge in Israel? His father king David, so Absalom was indirectly criticizing his father of not properly meting out justice to the people. Like a crafty politician, Absalom made the people promises that he would provide justice. One might agree with Absalom, for David certainly did not seem to show proper justice to Tamar when her brother Amnon raped her! And who was it that administered justice for Tamar, but Absalom, for which he had to flee Israel! Wiersbe - Ps 55 indicate that David was not well, and see Ps 61:6–7. If indeed David was ill, then he was unable to meet the people and hear their problems; and Absalom took advantage of this situation. (Borrow Be Restored) 2 Samuel 15:5 And when a man came near to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. NLT - And when people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn't let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and embraced them. take hold of him: Ps 10:9,10 55:21 Pr 26:25 and kiss: 2Sa 14:33 2 Samuel 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABSALOM KISSES UP TO THE PEOPLE When you kiss up to someone you are paying false flattery to them in order to get special attention or gain some advantage. Such a person is a hypocritical sychophant. And when a man came near to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him - NLT = "when people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and embraced them." He knew how to flatter people and make them feel good. Like many modern politicians, Absalom sought to show the people that he was one of them, lifting them up when they bowed down to him. Like a good politician he would embrace them and kiss them, continually seeking to portray his image as one of the people. Absalom's kisses remind us of the hypocritical kisses of Judas as he greeted Jesus the night of his betrayal (Mt. 26:47–50; Mk 14:45). He was like politicians who shake hands, hug folks and kiss babies. Wiersbe proposes Absalom was a demagogue - "Newspaper editor H. L. Mencken’s definition of a demagogue is rather extreme, but he gets the point across: “One who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots.” Novelist James Fenimore Cooper expressed it accurately: “One who advances his own interests by affecting a deep devotion to the interests of the people.” (Borrow Be Restored) 2 Samuel 15:6 In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel. stole: Pr 11:9 Ro 16:18 2Pe 2:3 2 Samuel 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ABSALOM'S PLOY STEALS HEARTS OF ISRAELITES In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel - Absalom was a master "politician" and was especially effective in claiming to be the judge that they needed. Believer's Study Bible - Absalom was handsome and charming, but also cruel and ambitious. David, even with his faults, was God's chosen leader for Israel, and certainly the greatest king Israel ever had. Absalom was treading on dangerous ground, therefore, when he attempted to undermine David's authority in this way, and it eventually cost him his life. This should be an example to those who would seek to displace God-called leaders from their positions. God can remove those in leadership, if it is needed, without human intervention. Pulpit Commentary - By professing anxiety to devote himself to the hearing and deciding of the people's causes, by flattering each one with the assurance that his case was so good that it needed only a hearing to be decided in his favour, and by his affability, made the more charming and irresistible by his personal beauty, he won the love of the people almost without their knowing how devoted they had become to him. Wiersbe - David had won the hearts of the people through sacrifice and service, but Absalom did it the easy way—and the modern way—by manufacturing an image of himself that the people couldn’t resist. David was a hero; Absalom was only a celebrity. (Borrow Be Restored) Adam