2 Samuel 15:1-17:14

Absalom spends four years building up support among Israel and then leads a rebellion against his father David.  David flees Jerusalem with a fee men and Absalom announces that he is the king.  In David’s journey he is cursed by a relative of Saul.  David’s men say that they will kill then man, but David instructs his men to leave the man alone.  David says that if God has told this man to curse him, then who is David to argue.  Mephibosheth, Saul’s closest descendent whom David had honored, pledges his allegiance to Absalom.

I think that anyone who has spent more than 6 months deeply involved with a church has met someone who wants to take the church in a radical new direction and claims to be led by God, but who turns out to be an Absalom.    There is often someone who aspires to be in a position of power but whom God has not appointed to a position of power.  This person will take time to consolidate his or her position and then make their power play to take over.  Do not be this person.

My personality desires to be in control.  Therefore, I must force myself to submit to the authority of those who I know are following God’s leading even when I disagree with them.  It is far too easy for me to play politics, consolidate my base, and force my will upon others.  Knowing that this is one of my tendencies I must over compensate by submitting to those that God has placed in positions of authority within the church.  Submission is a hard thing.  If Absalom had been willing to submit, it would have saved much bloodshed.