Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalomwould reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. Absalom behaved inthis way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and sohe stole the hearts of the people of Israel. 2 Samuel 15:5-6…“Look your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you…If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.” 2 Samuel 15:3-4A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are withAbsalom.” 2 Samuel 15:13 While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from Giloh, his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing. 2 Samuel 15:12Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem,“Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leaveimmediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and putthe city to the sword.” 2 Samuel 15:14The king’s officials answered him, “Your servants are ready to do whatever ourlord the king chooses.” 2 Samuel 15:15The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom…Go back, and take your people with you. May the LORD show you kindness and faithfulness.” But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.” 2 Samuel 15:19-21Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I findfavor in the LORD’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwellingplace again. But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let himdo to me whatever seems good to him.” 2 Samuel 15:25-26But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Psalm 3:3-4Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!” 2 Samuel 18:33When they hurled their insults at him, [Jesus] did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders. 2 Samuel 18:5 “Have faith in God…And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:22,25“The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.” 2 Samuel 12:13(Mariners Church Chapel, Irvine, CA)
