April 28: EXPLORING AN ANCIENT MYSTERY (part 2)

Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.” 2 Samuel 13:28

Of all of King David’s sons, Absalom was not only the most handsome; he was cunning, ambitious, and calculating – determined to gain not only the admiration of the people, but to utilize their admiration for his own selfish purpose: to gain the power of his father’s throne. He wanted to be king of Israel, at any price.

First in line for the throne of King David was Absalom’s older brother, Amnon. After Amnon mistreated their sister Tamar (backstory: 2 Samuel 13:1-17), Absalom gave the order to kill him. It is noteworthy that, in order to see the murderous deed through to completion, Absalom assumes a godlike authority toward his servants, adding a tone of encouragement: “do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you?” To further encourage them to carry out the deed, he plants the notion that to kill at his command is a courageous and valiant thing to do.

Afterward, King David was filled with grief over the death of his oldest son (v.37). But he also longed to go to Absalom (v.39). After all, Absalom was his son too – and the terrible events that separated them for three years (v.38) left David with a deep sadness because of the love in his heart for his sons. In the course of time, Absalom moved back to Jerusalem (14:24), having wormed his way back into favor with David. It was from this vantage point that Absalom launched a campaign to exalt himself by criticizing his father.

Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit of cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” 2 Samuel 15:2-4

Through Absalom’s methodology, we begin to gain insight into Lucifer’s campaign against God in the heavenly realm. The elements of unjust criticism, lack of respect, and deceptive accusations launched against David by Absalom had a powerful effect upon the minds of the people of Israel. Isaiah gives us a clue regarding the symbolism used in Revelation telling us how Lucifer convinced a third of the angels to switch loyalties from God to him: The elder and honorable, he is the head; The prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail (Isaiah 9:15).

[The dragon’s] tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Revelation 12:4a

More to come…