Sleight of hand in the sight of man
2 samuel 14
Main Idea: We can surrender control to Jesus, who alone has the power to bring about true redemption, reconciliation, and restoration.
2 Samuel 13:37-39: But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day. So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. And the spirit of the king longed to go out to Absalom, because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.
I. The Sleight of Hand (14:1-24)
Legal Misdirection (2 Samuel 14:4-11, Numbers 35:15, 25)
Minimizes Sin (2 Sam. 14:14)
Appeals to the Nation
Nathan’s parable was designed to rouse the king’s conscience as against his feelings; the woman of Tekoah’s, as prompted by Joab, to rouse his feelings against his conscience.
~William Blaikie
This chapter should haunt the church, not to mention the individual, believing or unbelieving. It is possible to have all the signs of wisdom—plans, strategies, accomplishments—and yet be utterly devoid of it.
~Dale Ralph Davis
Psalm 19:7: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalm 119:104-105: Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
II. The Sight of Man (14:25-15:12)
1 Samuel 9:2: And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
1 Samuel 16:7: But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Absalom begins his rise to power. But Joab refuses to give any further help (v 28–29), and Absalom forces his hand (v 30–31). The focus on his hair, echos the story of Samson (Judges 15:3–5), another man who contrived his own downfall. Absalom claims he is still in exile (2 Samuel 14:32). So Joab mediates, and Absalom is restored to the court (v 33). Absalom calls David’s bluff with an ultimatum: accept me or execute me (v 32). And he wins. David caves in again. Absalom is treated like a royal son again. His mind is on succession.
Absalom looked the part, played the part, and plotted the part. Every aspect is controlled, and the people are manipulated.
Pretends to be kingly (v 15:1–2)
Positions himself shrewdly (v 2–4)
Potrays himself favorably (v 5–6)
2 Samuel 15:5-6: And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Absalom is planning war, and David tells him to ‘Go in peace’ (9).
Absalom lies to obtain the king’s permission to hold a gathering at Hebron, where in 2:1–4 David was first anointed king. Then Absalom gathers leading figures in Israel to attend his enthronement (15:10–12).
