Ps Rick Godwin

1. The First Sign of Disloyalty: Hatred

A. Absalom’s Hatred Toward Amnon (2 Samuel 13:22)

•        The Background: Absalom harboured deep hatred towards his half-brother, Amnon, after Amnon assaulted their sister Tamar.

•        Potential Justification: While Absalom’s anger might seem justified due to Amnon’s grievous sin, it led him down a dark path.

B. Incubation of Hatred (2 Samuel 13:23)

•        Unresolved Anger: For two years, Absalom allowed his hatred to fester, plotting his revenge without seeking reconciliation or justice through the proper channels.

•        Danger of Lingering Hatred: Hatred that is allowed to simmer can grow into something far more destructive.

C. The Result of Hatred: Murder (2 Samuel 13:28-29)

•        Taking Matters into His Own Hands: Absalom’s hatred led him to murder Amnon, bypassing the king’s authority.

•        Scriptural Parallels: According to Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5:22, anger and hatred in the heart are akin to murder, underscoring the severity of harbouring such emotions.

D. The Disloyalty in Absalom’s Actions

•        Misplaced Justice: Absalom’s actions were not just an act of revenge but also an act of disloyalty to King David, who alone had the authority to administer justice.

 Lesson for Us

•        Disloyalty often manifests when individuals take matters into their own hands, justifying their actions by pointing to perceived failures in leadership. This attitude is dangerous and divisive.

2. The Second Sign of Disloyalty: Moving Away from Legitimate Authority

A. Absalom’s Flight from the King (2 Samuel 13:34, 37-38)

•        The Act of Fleeing: After murdering Amnon, Absalom fled from King David and went into exile, distancing himself from his father and the kingdom.

•        Disconnection from Authority: Absalom’s flight represents more than just physical distance; it symbolizes a spiritual and relational withdrawal from legitimate authority.

B. The Nature of Disloyalty

•        Avoiding Leadership: Disloyal individuals often avoid close relationships with leaders, keeping themselves aloof and separate to prevent their true attitudes from being exposed.

•        Fear of Vulnerability: Such individuals resist building genuine relationships because they fear that vulnerability might reveal their underlying discontent or rebellious intentions.

Lesson for Us

•        Relational Distance: Disloyalty often starts with a growing distance from those in leadership, whether through avoidance, criticism, or outright rebellion. This distance allows disloyalty to fester and grow.

•        Call to Self-Examination: We must examine our own hearts to ensure that we are not withdrawing from God-ordained authority out of pride, fear, or hidden rebellion.

3. The Third Sign of Disloyalty: Listening to Their Own Press Too Much

A. Absalom’s Pride in His Appearance (2 Samuel 14:25-26)

•        A Handsome and Praised Prince: Absalom was described as the most handsome man in Israel, with flawless physical features and even special hair that garnered attention.

•        Public Adoration: The praise and adoration Absalom received from the people of Israel fed his ego and made him believe he was deserving of greater power and status.

B. The Danger of Believing One’s Own Hype

•        Giftedness and Praise: Talented individuals often receive praise, which can lead them to believe that their success is due to their own abilities rather than God’s blessing or the support of others.

•        Seeking Elevation: This mindset can make them feel entitled to higher positions or more significant recognition, leading to ambition that is not aligned with God’s will.

C. Scriptural Warning (Mark 10:37)

•        Desire for Position: Like James and John, who sought positions of honour beside Jesus, those who seek power and recognition for themselves often do so at the expense of humility and true service.

•        Guarding Against Pride: It is crucial to avoid inflating the flesh by excessively praising those who may be prone to pride. Encouragement should be balanced with reminders of humility and the source of true greatness.

Lesson for Us

•        Beware of Self-Inflation: We must be cautious of allowing praise to inflate our ego, leading us to believe that we deserve more than what God has given. True greatness in the Kingdom of God comes through humility and service, not through seeking positions of power.

4. The Fourth Sign of Disloyalty: Manipulation and Control

A. Absalom’s Manipulation of Joab (2 Samuel 14:29-31)

•        Absalom’s Demand: Absalom, desiring to see King David, tried to get Joab’s attention, but Joab ignored him. In response, Absalom set Joab’s field on fire to force a meeting.

•        Manipulative Tactics: Absalom’s actions reflect a willingness to manipulate circumstances and people to get what he wanted, even resorting to drastic measures.

B. Disloyalty’s Desire to Control

•        Threats and Coercion: Disloyal individuals often use threats or manipulative tactics to control outcomes. They may threaten to leave, step down, or take others with them if their demands are not met.

•        Underlying Motivation: The desire to control stems from a lack of trust in leadership and an inflated sense of self-importance. Disloyalty is willing to disrupt order and peace to achieve personal goals.

Lesson for Us

•        Beware of Manipulative Tactics: We must be cautious of those who use manipulation and control to get their way. True leadership and loyalty involve submission to authority and trusting in God’s timing and methods, not resorting to coercion.

5. The Fifth Sign of Disloyalty: Unfaithfulness

A. Absalom’s Unfaithfulness to King David (2 Samuel 15:1-6)

•        Winning the People’s Hearts: Absalom began to undermine his father, King David, by positioning himself as a better judge and leader. He would meet people at the city gate, listen to their complaints, and suggest that he would provide better justice if he were in charge.

•        A Heart of Unfaithfulness: Absalom’s actions reveal a heart that had turned away from loyalty to his father and king, driven by a desire to usurp the throne.

B. The Growth of Unfaithfulness

•        The Seed of Disloyalty: Unfaithfulness often begins as a small seed in the heart—a disappointment or a grievance—that, if nurtured, can grow into full-blown rebellion.

•        Manifestations of Unfaithfulness: As unfaithfulness grows, it manifests in other ways, such as manipulation (as seen in the previous sign) and outright rebellion, which we will explore further.

Lesson for Us

•        Guarding Our Hearts: We must be vigilant to guard our hearts against unfaithfulness. Even small seeds of discontent or dissatisfaction can grow into serious disloyalty if left unchecked. Loyalty requires a steadfast commitment to integrity, even when faced with challenges or disappointments.

6. The Sixth Sign of Disloyalty: Self-Promotion and Equipping

A. Absalom’s Assumption of Authority (2 Samuel 15:2-6)

•        Seizing a Position Not His: Absalom positioned himself at the city gate, intercepting those seeking justice from King David and suggesting that he would be a better judge.

•        A Clever Lie (v4): Absalom lied by implying that the king was neglecting his duties, and he offered himself as the solution, promoting himself into a position that was never assigned to him.

•        Acceptance of Homage (v5): By accepting the praise and homage of the people, Absalom reinforced the lie, creating an image of himself as the rightful leader.

B. The Strategy of Self-Promotion

•        Disloyal Tactics: Disloyalty often involves private planning and self-promotion. Individuals place themselves in positions of influence without being asked, seeking to elevate their status in the eyes of others.

•        The Danger: This self-promotion is dangerous as it undermines the true leadership and authority established by God. It creates division and sows seeds of rebellion.

Lesson for Us

•        Humility vs. Ambition: We must guard against the temptation to promote ourselves or assume positions of authority that are not ours to take. True leadership comes from a place of humility and submission to God’s will, not from self-serving ambition.

7. The Seventh Sign of Disloyalty: Willingness to Take What Is Not Theirs

A. Absalom Steals the Hearts of the People (2 Samuel 15:6)

•        Lying to Gain Influence: Through lies and manipulation (as seen in the previous sign), Absalom stole the hearts of the people from his father, King David.

•        No Divine Mandate: Absalom had no mandate from God to do this. His actions were rooted in personal ambition, not in obedience to God’s calling.

B. The Outcome of Disloyalty

•        A Calculated Result: Disloyalty always has a specific outcome in mind. It is driven by a desire to achieve a particular goal, often at the expense of others and in opposition to God’s will.

•        Theft of Loyalty: By stealing the loyalty of the people, Absalom set the stage for a larger rebellion, showing that disloyalty often begins with small acts of deceit but can lead to much greater acts of treachery.

Lesson for Us

•        Respecting God-Ordained Authority: We must respect the authority God has placed over us and avoid the temptation to take what is not ours, whether that be influence, power, or the loyalty of others. Disloyalty leads to division and destruction.

8. The Eighth Sign of Disloyalty: Deception and Open Rebellion

A. Absalom’s Deceptive Plan (2 Samuel 15:7-10)

•        Lying to His Father: Absalom deceived King David by making up a lie about fulfilling a vow in Hebron, using this as a cover for his rebellion.

•        Cunning Plan: Absalom devised a plan with the help of his agents, rallying support from the people and committing open treason against his father (v12).

•        Betraying Trust: The same people who praised him in verse four were now complicit in his rebellion, showing the extent of his deceit.

B. The Consequences of Unchecked Disloyalty

•        Unchecked Progression: If disloyalty is not stopped at any of these earlier stages—hatred, manipulation, self-promotion—it will inevitably lead to open rebellion.

•        The Result (v14): King David was forced to flee Jerusalem to avoid the full force of Absalom’s rebellion, demonstrating the devastating impact of disloyalty left unchecked.

Lesson for Us

•        Stopping Disloyalty Early: It is crucial to address signs of disloyalty early on. Allowing disloyal attitudes and actions to grow can lead to full-blown rebellion, causing great harm to the community and the purposes of God.

Conclusion: The Path of Disloyalty and Its Dangers

•        Reflection: Absalom’s story is a sobering reminder of how disloyalty begins with subtle attitudes and small actions but can grow into outright rebellion if not addressed.

•        Call to Action: Let us be vigilant in guarding our hearts and actions, ensuring that we remain loyal, humble, and submissive to God’s authority and the leaders He has placed over us. Disloyalty is a destructive force that must be resisted at every turn.