As we have said, Absalom was a planner, a schemer. This worshiper of his own belly spoke good words and fair speeches to the naive, unsuspecting Israelites for forty years. Think of it! The sons of the Kingdom of God are open—almost childish in what they do. They love the Lord and have nothing to hide. The sons of the wicked one are often closed in personality, scheming how they may supplant those whom God has exalted.

Absalom did not listen to God, he did not admit to personal fault, and he was ambitious to be first in the kingdom. But his greatest problem may have been his lack of understanding.

Like Korah, Absalom must have been blind to reality. It was obvious David was God's man. From the time David killed Goliath the Lord blessed David in all that he did. David heard from God, obeyed God, and God exalted David. To David were given numerous psalms—psalms that have been a strength to multitudes upon unnumbered multitudes of people—Jews and Gentiles alike.

Why couldn't Absalom see that David was God's man? Did Absalom think he could supplant David and that God then would accept Absalom as king? Did Absalom suppose he then would have the Spirit of Christ and write prophetic psalms?

Like all the religious tares, Absalom desired to be preeminent in the house of God. But it is obvious Absalom had no understanding of God whatever. Absalom did not know the Lord and the Lord did not know Absalom.

The Lord's people tend to be like sheep. They cannot see the difference between Korah and Moses, between Absalom and David, until the conflict is over and someone interprets history for them.

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. (II Samuel 15:11)

Absalom was so anxious to exalt his name that he had a pillar made, saying he had no son to carry on his name. The truth is Absalom had three sons and one daughter.

Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place. (II Samuel 18:18)

And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance. (II Samuel 14:27)

Absalom got entangled in a tree and was killed by Joab. Instead of attaining honor he attained disgrace and contempt, as is true of all tares in the end.

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! (II Samuel 18:33)

To be continued.