Usurption and Undermining Authority

Absaloms ambition and self promotion became his demotion.

In the Kingdom we must learn to not

Undermine nor Usurp authority. 

Instead we must learn how to Uphold and Undergird them. 

In return, we will receive honor instead of dishonor.

We must learn how to walk backwards like Japheth and Shem to cover fathers and leaders instead of exposing them like Ham did Noah. Genesis 9:22-23

Our actions will reveal more about ourselves and our hearts than it will about what we try to expose, criticize or belittle in others.

Absalom became frustrated and felt his counsel would be better for the people. He wanted to be in charge and it irritated him that he wasn't. 

2 Samuel 15 gives a detailed account of Absaloms actions and deceptions

1  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. 

He felt he would and could do better than his father David.

He lied and said no one would hear them for the king.

He seduced the heart of the people and created sedition. He wanted to shift the people to his loyalty. His actions split the Kingdom. This same heart and spirit divides families; churches, businesses and communities today.

Frustrated counsel will only unsettle the people and make them lawless when they defect from true God given authority.

In the end it is revealed he lost his heart and mind. His head got caught in a tree. He was left suspended between heaven and earth.

2 Samuel 18:9

Then Absalom met the servants of David. Absalom rode on a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great terebinth tree, and his head caught in the terebinth; so he was left hanging between heaven and earth. And the mule which was under him went on.

This was a picture of what he had done when he defected in his heart. He was no longer grounded in righteousness or loyalty.

He had lifted himself up.

He had broken off from not only the King of Israel but from his own father.

He dishonored not one but two positions in David his father.

We must guard our hearts from impatience, frustration or pride. These issues blind us to a place of self exhaltation and dishonor of leaders.

We are also blinded to the pain this causes fathers and leaders in the faith.

When Absalom died David said these words.

 1 Samuel 28:33  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.

There was more lost through this ambition than could ever have been gained.

In the end we may have what appears to be momentary success but it will be short lived.

We must stay humble and let the Lord exhalt us in due season.

In His Love,

Jesse Griffin 

Kingdom Reign International Ministries.