Subject: Absalom – Personality

Knowing his history, we see that he did not live up to his name – “father of peace”

I.  The Features of his success

  A.  Position

1. Prince, the third child of David, born of Maacah.  2 Samuel 3:3

2 Samuel 3:3  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.  Land owner and businessman. 

2 Samuel 13:23  And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

    3.  Family man. 

2 Samuel 14:27  And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

  B.  Personality. 

1. Handsome and charismatic.  

2 Samuel 14:25-27  But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year’s end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king’s weight. And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

             Warning –

Proverbs 11:22  As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

Francis Bacon: “Beauty is as summer fruits, which are easy to corrupt, and cannot last; and for the most part it makes a dissolute youth…”

    2.  Ambitious and successful.  

2 Samuel 15:1-5  And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

II. The Fascination of the world.

  A.  Had the admiration of the people. 

2 Samuel 15:6  And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 15:12-13  And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counseller, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

 B.  Had the sympathy of the people.  Most are drawn in by a tragic story!

    1.  His three sons all died young.  Compare –

2 Samuel 14:27  And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

2 Samuel 18:18  Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place.

    2.  His sister had been raped by the oldest brother and justice had not been done.

1. King David did not judge the sin of his son.

2 Samuel 13:19-22  And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying. And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

Deuteronomy 22:24  Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.

           (incited Absalom)

     b.  Absalom exacted justice when the government would not. 

     c.  Absalom reminded the people of the lack of justice. 

2 Samuel 15:3-4  And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

III. The Failure.

1. He rejected the counsel of God by not confronting his brother. 

         James 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

2 Samuel 13:22  And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

Leviticus 19:17  Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Proverbs 29:24  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

Proverbs 26:23-26  Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

  B.  He rebelled against the Law of God.

    1.  Bearing false witness.  2 Samuel 15:7-12

    2.  Deceived his father.  2 Samuel 13:24,25

  C.  He took that which belongs to God upon himself.

Romans 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Hebrews 10:30  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

Absalom was adored by the world.  They loved him. They exalted him because of his personality and they excused him because of his tragic situation.  They supported him in doing wrong.  King David could have allieviated the situation by providing justice according to the Law, but his apathy only gave Absalom a reason to act, but not an excuse.  The Lord did not excuse him and he, along with thousands of people paid with their lives.

2 Samuel 18:6-10, 14,15

Today, personality is being exalted over truth.  Are we guilty of excusing and, thereby, support sin.

Romans 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.