Absalom's Stolen Hearts

He had waited.

Two years in his own house after returning to Jerusalem. David would not see him.

Then he forced a meeting with Joab by burning his barley field.

David received him. Kissed him.

That should have been the end of the estrangement.

It wasn't.

Absalom got himself a chariot and horses and fifty men to run before him.

He rose early every morning.

He stood beside the gate.

When any man came with a dispute to bring before the king, Absalom called to him.

He asked what city he was from.

He listened to his case.

He said: See, your claims are good and right. But there is no man designated by the king to hear you.

Oh that I were judge in the land.

Then every man with a dispute could come to me and I would give him justice.

When anyone came near to pay homage to him, he would reach out and take hold of him and kiss him.

Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment.

So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

Four years of this.

Then he went to Hebron under the cover of a vow.

He sent secret messengers throughout the tribes.

He said: When you hear the sound of the trumpet, say Absalom is king at Hebron.

The conspiracy grew great.

David was told: The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.

David fled Jerusalem barefoot.

He wept as he walked up the Mount of Olives.

His head was covered.

The people with him also covered their heads.

His own son had spent four years systematically taking what was his.

Not with weapons.

With availability. With sympathy. With the appearance of better justice.

And the hearts followed.

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