David and Absalom. The story of Absalom is a classic and contains much that gives us insight concerning the religious tare.

Absalom was the son of the daughter of a Gentile king.

Israel did not drive out the Geshurites as they should have. They did not persevere with God long enough to gain total victory. Then King David added to the confusion by marrying a Geshurite. The result of the marriage was Absalom and Adonijah, both rebels against the will of God.

Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day. (Joshua 13:13)

Absalom was a long-range planner, a schemer.

And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. (II Samuel 13:32)

Absalom did not react immediately to the rape of Tamar but began making his plans to avenge his sister.

Absalom was an attractive individual.

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. (II Samuel 14:25)

In outward appearance he was as the Bride of the Lamb—without spot or wrinkle or blemish of any kind.

Absalom vaunted himself. It was not the Lord who gave him a position of honor.

And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. (II Samuel 15:1)

Because Absalom was personally ambitious, because he did not seek the Lord, because he saw no fault in himself, because he lacked understanding, and because he was proud, Absalom soon found himself scheming against one of the most distinguished of God's rulers—his own father, King David. David is honored to this day. He who does the will of God abides forever. Absalom is a symbol of envy, of supplanting, a man without honor.

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. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. (II Samuel 15:2,3)

While David was waiting on the Lord, Absalom was waiting on the people. This always is a distinction between the wheat and the tares. The one looks to the invisible God. The other seeks honor in the sight of the visible people and circumstances.

To be continued.