As in the case of Korah, we are astounded at the blindness of Absalom. What did he think he would accomplish? David had been selected and anointed by the Lord. David was the man after God's heart. David possessed the key of the Kingdom of God. Whatever David did, God blessed—even to the point of permitting the Ark of the Covenant to be kept in Zion, separated from the remainder of the Tabernacle, with its own altar and priesthood.

David and his men ate the showbread—unheard of!

The Book of Psalms, composed to a great extent by David, continues to be a major source of strength and wisdom for God's elect. When Gabriel spoke to Mary he referred to the Throne of David. The Lord Jesus will occupy the Throne of David.

None of this is true of Absalom. Can you imagine Gabriel saying to Mary, "The Lord God will give Him the throne of his father Absalom"?

The nation of Israel under the rulership of King David was the Kingdom of God on the earth. God was the focus of the daily life of Israel as well as the Ruler of the king of Israel. What would Absalom have done with the throne, he being a rebel and murderer?

Like all the mountains of Bashan, Absalom was blind to truth. He saw the glory, the beauty, the authority, the reverence of the people. He saw the desirability of leading God's flock. But he could not see the Lord. He was not a man after God's own heart. He was not anointed with the Spirit of God. He sought to gain the Kingdom by trickery and violence. The Kingdom never is gained permanently by trickery or violence but only as God chooses and assists the individual.

The mountains of Bashan leap in vain!

David suffered for his affair with Bathsheba, and then God took care of the usurper, the imitator, Absalom. He hung between heaven and earth, being acceptable to neither. This is true of all usurpers, all imitators.

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. (II Samuel 18:9)

Ahimaaz and the Cushite

An incident took place in connection with the death of Absalom that further illustrates the folly of personal ambition. One sin always gives birth to another.

A runner was needed to carry the news of the battle back to King David, who was waiting in the city of Mahanaim.

Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the Lord hath avenged him of his enemies. (II Samuel 18:19)

Zadok was a priest and a friend of David. Ahimaaz and his friend Jonathan, the son of Abiahar, had acted as spies for David when Absalom first proclaimed himself king of Israel.

To be continued.