The Thrust for the Throne

 Once upon a time, Absalom wanted to be king.  It was only right, he thought, after all, he was the son of a king.

However, his dad, the king, had plans to choose, Solomon, his brother, not him, to become king.

But Absalom had plans of his own. He got himself chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him. He pandered the people, hugged them, kissed them, told them, if only he were king, he’d give them things and do them good. Year after year, four years, with his charming smile, he stole the hearts of the people and stirred them against the king.  Then, he plotted a plan. He sent spies throughout the land, and had them declare, “Absalom is king! Absalom is king!”

The people, unaware of the fraud, simply followed along, believing Absalom was the new king.

David, the king, Absalom’s dad, only wanted what was best for the kingdom. He loved the people more than the position. So, rather than order the army to crush the rebellion with an iron fist, he stepped aside. He waited and prayed and sought the LORD God Almighty, to see what HE wanted to do, who HE wanted to rule. He hoped perhaps, the rebellion would quell on its own, that the people would come to their senses and return to their homes in peace.  

But Absalom and his mob waged war against the king. They cursed the king. Threw rocks at the king and his men.

The king’s soldiers wanted to quell the rebels with force. The king ordered them to stand fast, hold the line, but not attack.  

Fate would dictate that instead of a crown, Absalom would wear a bough. He rode his donkey under a low hanging limb and his long flowing hair wrapped around it and clung. Absalom was left swinging between heaven and earth while his donkey rode away.

Absalom died there that day.

But the evil that seeks power and position by fraud or coup, didn’t. That same evil struck again, with another of King David’s sons.

If you’re willing, you can see the same story, today. Different faces, different names, but the very same evil.  

The shadow of this evil extends all the way back to before the beginning. When a beautiful angel named lucifer said, “I will raise my throne above the Most High”.

 

Let’s pray.

Father, forgive US for allowing our eyes to grow dim and our ears to grow dull. We’ve let our minds become ignorant of the wiles of the enemy. We’ve allowed those against Your will into positions of power. Forgive US. We repent.

Thank You for the trials of this year; triggering us to action instead of apathy.

Thank You for exposing evil; which has caused US to focus with 2020 vision

Thank You for the terror; which has driven US to our knees, crying out to Thee

Thank You for hearing. Seeing. Forgiving and revealing Your awesome power and will by once again thwarting the enemy's thrust for the throne.

Our Father, Thy will be done on earth, in our hearts, our lives, our house, the white house, as it is, in heaven.     

Amen.

Absalom Rebellion