Fri.’s Devo The Rise of Absalom

Read: 2 Sam. 13-15
Today’s scripture reads like a reality show. The royal family has major disfunction. Amnon is David’s first born who is a spoiled brat that wants what he wants when he wants it and he wanted Tamar. Tamar was Amon’s sister from another mother. Tamar and Absalom had the same mother, Maacah. Their mother must have been beautiful because they were both notable beauties. Amnon could have gone through the right channels to get Tamar as his wife and all would have been good, but he couldn’t wait. Tamar even told him to just ask her father for her hand and David would give it to him, but Amnon wouldn’t. He raped her then hated her. He lost enduring love and marriage for a moments pleasure that left him empty and in worse shape. His actions proved what was really in his heart. As bad as it seemed for Tamar, I am glad she didn’t have to live with this monster as her husband. It did seem to ruin her deep inside which is so sad.
What Amnon did was terrible and the fact that David did nothing but get mad is also terrible, but what Absalom did was even worse. He acted like everything was fine for two years while he plotted his revenge. I think his actions were deeper than revenging his sister. I think he was trying to eliminate any opposition to his climb to the throne. Amnon was first born which would have naturally given him the throne when David died. This was a good excuse to kill Amonon. Absalom was third in birth order.
Absalom killed Amnon then fled to his grandfather’s home in Geshur. His grandfather was the king there so he stayed in his protection for three years to let his father get over the death of Amnon and hopefully miss him. David did get heal from the death of Amnon and he did miss Absalom. Joab perceived this so he manipulated Absalom’s return. Once Absalom was allowed to return to Jerusalem, David refused to meet with Absalom or see his face for two years. During that time, Absalom won the heart of the people through manipulation and even tricked the people into following him. He proclaimed himself king and forced David to flee his kingdom. Absalom was such a picture of the Anti-christ.
Lord, help us to wait on You and not fall into the trap of manipulation.