Two monuments

2 Sam18:5 And the king gave this command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: "For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom." And all the troops heard the king give this order to his commanders.

6 So the battle began in the forest of Ephraim,

7 and the Israelite troops were beaten back by David's men. There was a great slaughter, and twenty thousand men laid down their lives that day.

8 The battle raged all across the countryside, and more men died because of the forest than were killed by the sword.

9 During the battle, Absalom came unexpectedly upon some of David's men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great oak, his head got caught. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air.

10 One of David's men saw what had happened and told Joab, "I saw Absalom dangling in a tree."

11 "What?" Joab demanded. "You saw him there and didn't kill him? I would have rewarded you with ten pieces of silver and a hero's belt!"

12 "I wouldn't do it for a thousand pieces of silver, " the man replied. "We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, 'For my sake, please don't harm young Absalom.'

13 And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son -- and the king would certainly find out who did it -- you yourself would be the first to abandon me."

14 "Enough of this nonsense," Joab said. Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom's heart as he dangled from the oak still alive.

15 Ten of Joab's young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him.

16 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and his men returned from chasing the army of Israel.

17 They threw Absalom's body into a deep pit in the forest and piled a great heap of stones over it. And the army of Israel fled to their homes.

18 During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King's Valley, for he had said, "I have no son to carry on my name." He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom's Monument to this day. (NLT)

 

Two monuments; one to prideful self and a pile of stones marking his destruction.

 

Prov 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Prov 16:19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

 

John 5:44  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

 

David may have been a poor father but he loved his prideful son. He did not want any harm to come to him, but the rules of war are different. Joab killed Absalom as Absalom's prideful head was caught in an oak tree limb where he was dangling. An amazing story. All the forest was in the battle, just as God may use the creation to bless us, he can use it to chastize us as well. " ...and more men died because of the forest than were killed by the sword. "

 

Twenty thousand of Israel were killed because of David's prideful rebellious son. David cried when he heard of his son's death.

 

2 Sam 18:33  And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

This reminds me of Jesus crying over Jerusalem, a rebellious people. 

Mat 23:37  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

As David would have died to save his rebellious son, God's own son Jesus came to die for God's rebellious sons. We humans were created in the image of God, but sin had separated us. The law said we deserved death. God's love sent his Son Jesus to die for us. A son of David died for all Israel and all who would believe in him. Through faith we receive God's grace instead of the law of death. We are saved by the blood of Jesus and by believing that he did this we are forgiven and given eternal life with Jesus and God the Father. An amazing story and it is the truth. Leave the monuments of pride and the grave and look unto Jesus and the cross.

A deceiver

  

2 Sam 15:1  And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 Sam 15:2  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.
2 Sam 15:3  And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
2 Sam 15:4  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!
2 Sam 15:5  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.
2 Sam 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.

 

Absalom was out to steal the kingdom away from his father David. He was young and handsome with a full head of hair, He was friendly and he hugged the people. Believe me when I say we must watch out for those who seek to win over people, seeming to care for them. We may be embracing the devil in disguise. Remember how Jesus was betrayed with a kiss.

 

People are so ignorant. A nation will elect a devil if he looks like he will give them something for nothing. People are moved by emotions, "I don't care what you say, I want to know that you care." Well, you had better listen to what is said and look beyond the pretending of a wolf who appears to love the sheep. We must  discern the spirits. Many choose leaders by appearance,  as when the nation of Israel chose Saul as their king.

 

1 Sam 9:2  ... Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

 

Saul failed to obey the LORD and was rejected by him. I cannot understand how so many people will keep following a man who is a liar and who will say anything to appear to please the people, but will not follow God. This is a  false shepherd who comes to be one of us, but whose heart has an evil plan.

 

John 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

We must be careful, many sheep will cuddle up to an affectionate wolf in sheep's clothing. Examine the fruit, not just what seems to look good. A politician will win hearts by kissing babies, but his true plan is to kill them. King Herod wanted to know where the new king of the Jews was.

 

Mat 2:8  ...Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

His true intent was to destroy the child.  A politician will embrace illegal aliens to get more votes, but he will become a tyrant once his power is securred. The more we trust false words and false appearances, the more likely we will allow evil to take root. The false leaders will not keep the laws.

 

Prov 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
 

If we follow people who will not follow God we all will fall.

 

Mat 15:10  And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Mat 15:11  Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Mat 15:12  Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Mat 15:13  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
Mat 15:14  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Follow Jesus and be careful who you trust, there are many deceivers.