Absalom's Ambition

"And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;" 
(2 Samuel 3:2-3 KJV)

Absalom, from the Hebrew, meaning father of peace, but contrary to his name, Absalom was not a man of peace and Our Awesome God knew this.  His personal vanity and disloyalty to his father due to selfish ambition caused great strife and open warfare in the royal family.  The troubles began when Amnon, David's oldest son, assaulted his half-sister, Tamar, Absalom's sister (2 Samuel 13:1-22).   Absalom bided his time, and when the opportunity arose two years later, during the sheep shearing time at Baal Hazor, he had his brother, Amnon, killed. 

Absalom fled for three years to his grandfather's house in Geshur.  Absalom then made his move, not merely to succeed his father as king of Israel, but to replace his father, Our Awesome God's chosen king, while he was still reigning.  Through scheming politics, he managed to gain the support of a large portion of the people.   Absalom then moved to Hebron, the previous capital city of Judah, and declared himself king - thereby triggering a civil war between himself and his father (2 Samuel 15:1-12). 

By most casual evaluations, Absalom would have made an excellent king, and the people loved him.   But Our Awesome God knew, he lacked the inner character and control needed in a good leader.   His appearance, skill and position did not make up for his lack of personal integrity.  While David's sin took him away from God, his repentance always brought him back.  In contrast, Absalom sinned and kept on sinning, never asking for forgiveness.

Do you identify with Absalom?  Are you on a fast track to your ambition?  Do you find yourself on a fast track towards self-destruction?  Absalom was not able to say, "I was wrong, I need forgiveness."  He was killed.  God offers forgiveness, but we do not experience that forgiveness until we genuinely admit our sins and confess them to God.  Absalom rejected his father's love and ultimately God's love.  Our Awesome God wants your repentance when you sin.  Ask Him for forgiveness!

Join us at Living Word Baptist Church at 10:30 AM every Sunday and for Bible Study at 6:00 PM on Sunday evening along with AWANA for children (September through May) which goes until 7:30 PM..  We have a Prayer Team and Bible Study at 7:00 PM Monday and Wednesday.  Learn with us how to use and invest your time with wisdom for Our Awesome God!