Peter Barnes | 2 Samuel 15:1-18
SERMON NOTES
HOW POLITICS WORKS
2 Samuel 15:1-18
Absalom attempts to seize the throne from David, his own father.
1. The politics of deceit.
– 15:1; note Deut.17:14-17.
– 15:2-3. He plants insinuations, sows dissatisfaction, and agrees with everybody.
– 15:4. It is a policy of being winsome – 15:5. Tony Blair calls Princess Diana ‘the people’s princess’ because she looked good on television.
– 15:6. Os Guinness edited a book on leadership, Character Counts. William Wilberforce: ‘it is not in fact talents in which we are chiefly wanting, but resolute integrity.’
– 15:7-9. He uses religion. The Bible warns us about being deceived e.g. Jer.37:9; Matt.24:11, 24; Eph.5:5-6; 2 Tim.3:13. ‘Absalom’ means ‘Father (like ‘Abba’) of peace’ (‘shalom’), but it is all show.
2. The sin of rebellion.
– 15:10-12. Compare this with the way that David treated Saul – he spared his life twice, and was genuinely grieved when Saul was killed. Even Miriam and Aaron could be guilty – Num.12:1-9.
3. The need to flee.
– there is a time to flee – Matt.10:23; 2 Sam.15:13-18.
We should ask now: ‘David, was your sin worth it?’