II – REVENGE OF ABSALOM

Read II Samuel 13:1-2 to find out that Absalom has a beautiful sister, then answer some questions:

II Samuel 13:1-2 "And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. ²And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her."

Give the name of the beautiful sister of Absalom in verse 1? __Tamar__

Give the name of the son of David who loved beautiful sister of Absalom? __Amnon___

Tamar was a half-sister of Amnon because both had the same father who is David but with a different mother. Amnon’s love for Tamar is lustful desire. Amnon just wanted to use Tamar for his own lustful satisfaction. Amnon lust for Tamar was so great that in verse 2, he actually “was so _vexed__ and he fell __sick__.”

Read II Samuel 13:10-11,12-13 and see that Amnon finally had taken the opportunity to perform his evil ugly lust as he craves for sinful pleasure. See some truths here and answer some questions:

II Samuel 13:10-11, 12-13 "And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. ¹¹And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. ¹²And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. ¹³And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee."

Tamar a good example of a virtuous woman. According to verse 2, is Tamar a virgin? _~~Yes, Tamar is a virgin~~__

According to verse 12, She refused the evil force to do sinful lust, did Tamar resists Amnon demand? __Yes, Tamar resists Amnon lust__

According to verse 12, did Tamar said that the sexual act being force by Amnon ought not to be done for it was folly? __Yes__ .

According to verse 13, did Tamar know that to lie down with Amnon her half-brother is a shameful act and she do not want to be of it? __Yes__ .

According to verse 13, did Tamar give warning to Amnon that doing such lust sinful thing is foolishness? _Yes Tamar warned Amnon____

According to verse 13, did Tamar offer not the option of marriage with Amnon? _Yes. Tamar offer option of marriage_________

Tamar told Amnon to ask permission from David the father of Amnon, if David will give Tamar to be the wife of Amnon. Tamar wants marriage to come first before sex.

Amnon was not convinced and not satisfy with marriage offer of Tamar because the lust wants now and never wants to wait. Lust wants what it wants right now not sooner. That is the lust of the flesh.

Read II Samuel 13:15 talks about after Amnon used Tamar then answer the question:

II Samuel 13:15 "Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone."

What happened to the love of Amnon to Tamar, after Amnon used his half-sister Tamar for his lustful, shameful satisfaction? _Amnon"s ;pve fpr Tamar turned to hate__ .

Read Deuteronomy 22:22,25,28-29 and then answer some questions:

Deuteronomy 22:22 “If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.” ²⁵ “But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die.” ²⁸ “If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; ²⁹Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.”

In verse 22, what was the punishment for adultery according to the law of Moses? __Death___ .

In verse 25, what was the imposed punishment if a man should lie with an engaged woman? __Death___ .

In verse 28-29, is death penalty will be the imposed punishment if a man should lie with a virgin like Tamar who is not engaged? __No death penalty was not imposed_ .

Amnon’s immoral lustful sinful act was terrible and serious offense, but it was not punishable by death penalty.

Read II Samuel 13:28-29 about the reaction of Absalom after he leaned what Amnon did to his sister Tamar.

II Samuel 13:28-29 "Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you. Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. ²⁹And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled."

As we expected, when Absalom learned what Amnon had sexually abused his sister Tamar, Absalom was displeased so much that he wanted to kill Amnon.

Some probable reasons why Absalom wanted to kill Amnon:

1. For revenge against Amnon for shameful sexual act done to his sister Tamar

2. For realizing that Amnon as David’s oldest son will probably heir to the throne. Absalom anticipate the throne for his eyes already toward the throne and he did not want any competitors in the throne.

Read again II Samuel 13:28-29 and learn what Absalom did to Amnon then answer the question:

II Samuel 13:28-29 "Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant ²⁹And the servants of absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule and fled."

According to these verses, explain how did Absalom kill Amnon? ____________________________________ .

Read II Samuel 13:38 about what happened after Amnon was killed by Absalom, answer the question.

II Samuel 13:38 “So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.”

According to this verse, after Absalom killed Amnon what Absalom did next? _________________________ .

Read II Samuel 3:3 and learn more about the Geshur, the place where Absalom went to.

II Samuel 3:3 “And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;”

According to references, Absalom had royal blood on both sides, because his father David was king of Israel and his grandfather on his mother’s side was king of Geshur based on this particular verse 3. However, it was not enough for Absalom to be in the royal blood and have a father and grandfather who were kings, it is enough for Absalom to be the son and the grandson of kings. Absalom aiming for the throne himself. He wants to be king.

Read II Samuel 13:39 and know what heart David have for Absalom is:

II Samuel 13:39 "And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead."

According to this verse, after David knew everything that his son Absalom murdered his half-brother and David’s oldest son Amnon, did David still have a heart and longed for Absalom? ______________________ .

III - RETURN OF ABSALOM

Read II Samuel 14:21, 24 and then answer a question:

II Samuel 14:21, 24 "And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. ²⁴And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So, Absalom returned to his own house and saw not the king's face."

After Absalom murder his half-brother Amnon for revenge of his sister Tamar, Absalom fled to Geshur and spent three years there. Then After three years of spending to Geshur, David his father allowed Absalom his son to return to Jerusalem, but according to this verse 24, what was Absalom not allowed to do? ______________ .

Read II Samuel 14:28-29,30 and then answer some question to learn more of other plan of Absalom.

II Samuel 14: 28-29, 30, 33 “So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face. ²⁹Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come. ³⁰Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire. ³³So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.”

Absalom was denied access before king David his father. After two full years of not seeing king David’s face as king’s instruction, Absalom finally sent for Joab (David’s general in his military army) to have him send a message to the king.

According to verse 28-29, how many times Joab the army’s general ignored Absalom request? ____________ .

According to verse 30, After Joab ignored the request of Absalom to send a message to David the king, what did Absalom do to get the attention of Joab? ___________________________ .

According to verse 33, Absalom’s strategy effectively works and Absalom was brought before his father, king David. Is Absalom seriously and humbly bow before king David or is he pretended to submit and bow before his father king David? __________________________ .

Do you think Absalom have a submissive heart or a rebellious heart? _________________ .

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IV – REMARKABLE PYSICAL LOOKS OF ABSALOM

Read II Samuel 14:25-26 featured the unblemished, the perfect physical specimen. Absalom was handsome man. According to these verses, do you think that Absalom is incomparable to anyone in Israel? __Yes__

II Samuel 14:25-26 “But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. ²⁶And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.”

There are lots of things to learn about Absalom’s hair. According to verse 26, Absalom’s hair was “polled” that means “cut”. Absalom would let a long-time pass by before cutting his hair, in other words, Absalom did not get a haircut very often. According to verse 26, Absalom got a haircut when his hair got too heavy for him for it was the only time to cut his hair after a long time. Actually, Absalom would even weigh his cut hair. According to verse 26, what is the weight of Absalom cut hair? __two hundred shekels_ . The specified weight of two hundred shekels perhaps weighed as much as three or four pounds.

Read I Corinthians 11:14 and answer a question about man’s hair.

I Corinthians 11:14 “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?”

According to this verse, is it shameful or is it noble for a man to have long hair? __Yes, it is shameful for a man to have long hair_ .

V – ROBBING THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE DONE BY ABSALOM

Read II Samuel 15:1-6 and see the evil strategic move to capture the hearts of the people.

II Samuel 15:1-6 “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. ²And 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. ³And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. ⁴Absalom 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! ⁵And 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. ⁶And 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 order for the people to be loyal to him and not to David, Absalom tried to steal the hearts of the people. He portrayed like a politician for an office, and in verse 1, he impresses the people by doing everything to get the hearts of the people away from David. It seems that Absalom promise the people that if he became the king, he would immediately assure them that everything would be straighten and in ordered.

Read II Samuel 15:13 and see how Absalom giving the people his campaign promises like a candidate.

II Samuel 15:13 “And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”

Did Absalom successfully steal the people’s heart to be loyal to him? ___Yes___

VI – REBELLION OF ABSALOM

Read II Samuel 15:7-8 and answer some questions.

II Samuel 15:7-8 “And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron. ⁸For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.”

Absalom told his father David that he made a vow.

In verse 7, do you think Absalom really made a vow? ___No__

In verse 8, do you think Absalom really serious about serving the Lord? __No__

Actually, Absalom only motive and concerned is serving himself.

Read II Samuel 15:10 and learn about Absalom intention to go to Hebron.

II Samuel 15:10 “But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.”

Would you give the reason why Absalom really want to go to Hebron? __To reign as king __ .

Give the two positions of authority of David had over Absalom:

1. David was the __FATHER___ of Absalom.

2. David was the __KING_____ of Absalom.

We see the essence of rebellion in Absalom. Absalom only cared himself and being his own king, that is why Absalom did not want David, did not want even God and did not want anyone to rule as king over him. That is clear indication of rebellion.

Let us see what rebellion is all about and how rebellion shows in each of our hearts.

A Rebel is someone saying “I want to be my own king. No one should rule over me and no one should tell me what to do, because I want to do I want to do. So, I do not want anyone and even God to give me orders because I want myself to be my own king. “

VII – REVOLT OF ABSALOM RESULTED TO DAVID'S FLEE

Read II Samuel 15:14 and learn how David was forcefully flees from the city of Jerusalem due to the successful revolt of Absalom.

II Samuel 15:14 “And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.”

David flees because of Absalom’s revolt was so successful. David instructed his servants to flee from Jerusalem to escape from rebellious Absalom.

Now, Nathan the prophet said to king David that the rebellion and revolt of Absalom is a result of David’s sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah according to II Samuel 12:9-11 and fill the blank.

II Samuel 12:9-11 “Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed _Uriah__ the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his _wife__ to be __thy__ wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. ¹⁰Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine ______; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. ¹¹Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine _own__ __house__, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.”

If David had been content to have one wife and one family, do you think David would have been spared many problems? _Yes__ .

VIII – REBEL ASBSALOM'S DEATH

Read II Samuel 18:5, 12 and answer the question.

II Samuel 18:5, 12 “And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom. ¹²And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.”

David organized an army and crossed the Jordan River and likewise Absalom also crossed the Jordan to attack and even willingly kill his own father so that he could be the king, and do not want anyone to rule over him.

According to these verses, did you think that David was willing to kill his own son? __No__

Read how the death of the rebel Absalom described in II Samuel 18:9-14 and answer the question.

II Samuel 18:9-14 "And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. ¹⁰And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.¹¹And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. ¹²And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. ¹³Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me. ¹⁴ Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak."

Absalom head suddenly got caught perhaps into a forked branch of an oak tree, when he was riding on his ass.

In verse 9, can you tell what happened to the ass? __the mule went under thick boughs of a great oak___ .

As Absalom head caught into a branch of an oak tree, he was suspended in mid-air between heaven and earth and can do nothing to free himself from the branches of an oak tree. Absalom’s long hair had to do with his downfall since his hair was tangled in the branches of an oak tree. On that situation and scene as Absalom suspended in mid-air, Joab the general of David’s army had an easy target to kill Absalom.

Read II Samuel 18:17 to know Absalom burial. Absalom glorious reign lasted only for a short time.

II Samuel 18:17 "And they took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent."

As described in this verse, did you think that Absalom was given a shameful burial? __Yes__ .

Read II Samuel 18:33 and answer the question about how David feels of Absalom’s death.

II Samuel 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!"

According to this verse, did David rejoice in the death of his rebellious son Absalom? __No, David did not rejoice. but wept_

IX- REFERRENCE OF PSALM 3 WHEN DAVID FLED FROM ABSALOM

Turn to Psalm 3 and find above the title the missing words.

“A Psalm of _David__, when he fled from __Absalom__ his son.”

Therefore, the Psalm 3 contains the trouble of David, resulted by the rebellion and revolt of his son Absalom.

Absalom threw away his life and ended miserable because of his pride, ambition that leads to rebellion. This is a great warning for us that instead of lusting after power and fame, like Absalom we should have been grateful for what we had in life. Absalom should realize how God blessed him to have a godly father and should not waste his life in rebellion.

Can you cite of other blessings Absalom had for which Absalom should have been thankful? _______________

How about you, do you have something to thank God for? ____________________________ .