#457 Brook of Despair

And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

2 And 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

7 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.

8 For 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.

9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

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.

11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

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.

15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.

20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.

21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

24 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:

26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.

37 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 15 KJV

Absalom is David's son by a foreign princess. Her father is a king and so it is probable that this feeds into the lofty mind of one who is so proud. Like the kings of other nations he comes to represent himself by chariots and horses. Like Nazi's proudly marching down the street, or government leaders who dawn on military garb, the iron fist of rule, that directs the hammer and the sickle. It is quite the procession, what a strong and handsome profile, he is the people's candidate. He takes his campaign to them, embraces them, oh comrade, if only I was in control then what I could do for you. Your cause is just, I feel your pain, I share your concerns and will carry your complaint. 

Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Mark 15:15

David is the sitting king, but what a fickle people, Absalom carries a very strong presence, powerful, good looking, and look at those chariots and horses. He comes to his father and ask leave to go and honor a vow he made, that he would serve God. As a father, to hear that my child was talking to and now wanting to serve the Lord, what a joy that would be, but whether an outright lie or some delusion of grandeur, David will not soon be proud. Maybe Absalom made a vow, took an oath that he would reign, maybe he used God's name, but God is no way obligated to the whims or vanities of men. God chose David, and it is so strange to me that it is not enough for Absalom to be pardoned, but the murderer would also like to be the judge. Sadly, this is part of the punishment against his father, that which was so painfully prophesied is coming to fruit. Absalom is a pretender on the grandest of scales, not only has he made his mission seem Godly, his task saintly in it's resolve, but he also brings 200 good men of Israel with him. These men think they are going to a feast but all along they are giving, with every step they take, their endorsement to a traitor. Men so often carry the cross, say the name of God in vane, it is nothing new. Those who would prefer David are being confused with those that would overthrow him.

for I have not sent them," declares the LORD, "but they prophesy falsely in My name, in order that I may drive you out and that you may perish, you and the prophets who prophesy to you." Jeremiah 27:15

David sees that the people's hearts have hardened towards him, that they would lift up this abomination of a son. He takes the people of his house and flees the city, the city of Jerusalem, that he has fought hard for, that he prays to see again. He leaves 10 concubines to care for the place, but this will be meat for the wolf who is coming to make desolate. He tells the priest to carry back the ark, for if it is God's will then David will come to see it again. For now he is resigned like Christ to his duty, to mourn upon the mount, to cross over the brook. He for the sins of his own life, the murder of Uriah, the taking of many wives, including she to whom he was unequally yoked, the mother of his tormentor. Christ for the sins of everyone other than Himself, for He knew no sin, but became sin for us. Let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done. David is a kind king, caring for those who have converted to his kingdom, asking that Ittai take his men and leave. Why should anyone else be brought into my trouble, my wages? If I have sewn this field then I shall bend my back to harvest it. What an awesome God, Who provides us family outside of our own house, Ittai and his men were not just hired guns, they were not mercenaries for sale to whoever held the state, no ,they had become David's true brothers. They were determined to carry this burden with him, to right him or die with him, "even there also will thy servant be."

There is one among the conspirators that causes David concern, and that is Ahithophel. We should always pray against the counsel of evil doers, those that make themselves close to us, so that they may bring hurt to us, those that shine in the morning, but deal treacherously in the dark. I have this hope in Christ, but while I must deal with the rulers of this present age, I pray for wisdom in how I vote, for who I am seen walking with, and who I would promote. Sometimes I have been quick and wrong, other times I failed to confront, and so when I finally did it was nearly to the time of my own peril.  He climbs the mountain barefoot, too humbled to be desired as a king, and his son takes laps upon his chariot, a striking choice he shall be.

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”[a] Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus[b] said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant[c] and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” John 18:1-11