Absalom - Marks of A Usurper

By Mary Van Nattan

In reading 2 Samuel recently, I came to the notorious story of Absalom's conspiracy to take the throne from his father, David. This all starts in chapter 15 where we are given a description of his initial tactics and then verse 6 says, 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. 2Samuel 15:6 A quick look at his methods might prove profitable to us today when there are so many who would usurp the Lord and the authorities He has set in place in the New Testament.

1. His first step was to make himself appear important - actually more important than he was. 2Samuel 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

2. He was very zealous in his pursuit of this. He worked hard to accomplish his goal. 2Samuel 15:2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate... Early and often is the key deception here. This can be very seductive and mind turning. We are inclined to mistake zeal and diligence with usefulness and being right. Paul warned the Galatians, They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. Gal. 4:17.

3. He put himself in a positions of importance. The gate of the city was an important place in old Israel. It was there that the old men and leaders of the community sat and made decisions (Ruth 4:1-2). It was there that the enemies were confronted (Ps. 127:5). Beware of those who will put themselves in or near a position that is associated with power or wisdom who have not earned the right to be there.

4. Absalom associated himself with the cause of the people. 2 Samuel 15:2 ...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. This has been a prime tool for Communists, patriotic zealots and many other political trouble makers. The confidence of the people is won by a man who appears common and important at the same time.

5. In this verse we also see that he placed himself between the people and the authority. Notice that these men were coming to see the king, and he had found a way to get to them first. Pastors who tell us to follow them and they will follow Jesus are usurpers who have placed themselves between us and our King. 1Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

6. He justified men so that they would owe him a favor. 2Samuel 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. Those who wish to usurp authority justify men because it gives them leverage. Once the person has accepted the justification from the usurper he (or she) "owes him (or her) one." He also feels like the usurper is his friend. (Kids will be told their parents are too hard or unspiritual. Wives and husbands will be told their spouse is not spiritual or no good. Pastors will allow or even help their people to do unbiblical things in order to put them in bondage to themselves.)

7. At the same time here we see he questions the king's wisdom. ...there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. This is the subtil sort of implication we find in the mouth of Satan in Genesis 3:1, Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said... It is designed to cast doubt upon the authority that is under attack.

8. Absalom then proceeds to set himself up as a viable alternative to the authority through the power of suggestion. 2Samuel 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! The implication of this statement is that there were no good judges available, and that justice was not going to be done since he wasn't a judge. This casts considerable doubt on the king's wisdom, and also implies he was not doing a very good job of being king or sharing the responsibilities (not true - 2 Sam. 8:18). This is a very common tactic also. Many a rebel has gained a following by casting doubt upon the person who as in authority. In fact, this was one of the favorite attacks of a church splitter our family knew about. One of his steps in the process was always to start asking leading questions implying that the pastor was tired and didn't seem to be getting the job done properly. He never said outright that the pastor was no good, but his suggestions caused people in the assembly to conclude this, at the same time thinking that it was their idea.

9. He exercised false humility. 2Samuel 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. This is also very deceptive. Absalom made himself appear to be "just one of the guys" to the men of Israel. The common touch (here actually physical) invites people to feel like someone is really their friend and "one of us." We need to stop and realize that the motives and methods are not in keeping with the actions. Absalom appeared humble, but in reality he would not have even been in that situation if he been humble. He obviously thought a lot of himself, which we saw in verse one, or he would not have been trying to usurp the throne! Paul speaks of those who ...serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:18 Such was Absalom, and so are all those that would usurp authority. They know they have to do and say "good" things in order to deceive those who profess godliness.

2Samuel 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.

In conclusion, we find that Absalom built up a rapport with the men of Israel which he used as the basis for overthrowing his father, David, and taking the throne by force. He literally stole the hearts of these people, as the word of God tells us.

There are many today who would usurp authority in our lives. Marriages are attacked this way when someone wants to take a man's wife or a woman's husband. Children are enticed with these methods to rebel against their parents or to reject their upbringing. Pastors want people to follow them instead of Christ and His word. Tax rebels, Reconstructionist, and other nationalistic rabble rousers will suggest that they should be followed if we want a "good country."

The people that attempt to steal hearts do not have the people's best interests at heart. They are rebels seeking to displace God-given authority! They are seeking their own glory at the expense and shame of others.

Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

3John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.