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Chapter 15 gives us an insight into the character of Absalom, David's third son whose name meant "the peace of his father." But Absalom brought everything but peace to his father. In Chapter 13, he showed very little compassion for his sister Tamar when she told him that her half brother, Amnon, had raped her he said, "Don't be upset, it's all in the family." Later on in Chapter 13 he plotted the death of his half brother, Amnon and then ran off to grandfather's house.
In Chapter 14, he returned to Jerusalem on the urging of Joab who did it for David's sake not Absalom's. Finally we see Absalom calling his father's hand, "Execute me, or forgive me." Now here in Chapter 15, we see him leading a revolt against his father, David.
Notice what contributed to Absalom's downfall, the "lack luster" of his father. His grandfather, King Talmai of Gershur, with whom Absalom had lived for 3 years, had many horses while his father David, rode on a mule. God had forbidden the Kings of Israel to multiply horses or wives. David was, at least, trying to keep the one about the horses. Also, Absalom's good looks and youth, contributed to his downfall. He made a handsome picture with his long hair flowing in the breeze as he rode on his horse. Often he would run on foot before his chariots, all in all, looking like the King the people wanted.
He was clever also. On the pretence of being concerned for their problems, he often mingled with the people. Actually he was only trying to build up his own pride and popularity. When the people attempted to bow down to him, he shook their hand instead. He was a good politician. "If I were your Judge (King), I would be open and fair to everyone." "No one would have to wait in my court."
After 4 years of this, Absalom asked David for permission to go to Hebron, on the pretence of wanting to fulfill a "vow" that he had made to the Lord while he was in Geshur with his grandfather, that if the Lord would let him go back to Jerusalem, he would make a sacrifice to Him. Naturally David allowed his son to go and fulfill his vow.
Now, Why Hebron? Hebron was 19 miles SW of Jerusalem. It was the capitol of Judah up until the time that David moved it to Jerusalem and it was also where Absalom was born. It was the burial grounds of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of Israel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebekah and Leah were all buried there. It was given to Caleb by Joshua when Canaan was divided amongst the 12 tribes of Israel. So it seemed reasonable to David that Absalom wanted to go there to fulfill his vow.
When Absalom arrived at Hebron, he sent spies to every part of Israel to try to incite rebellion against David. A message was circulated around Israel that as soon as they heard the trumpets they would know that Absalom had been crowned King of Israel in Hebron.
Absalom took 200 men with him from Jerusalem and later sent for A-hit-tho-fel, one of David's councilors who pledged for Absalom and day by day, others came to join Absalom until the conspiracy was very strong. When David finally got word of this, he decided that he should leave Jerusalem so he took his family and servants, all but 10 of his concubines which he left behind to keep the household, and he and 600 Gittites soldiers from Gath, a Philistine city under the command of It-tai, and soldiers from Chereth and Peleth, paid soldiers from Philistia, and left Jerusalem. These Philistine soldiers came to know David while he was in Philistia, they had admired him very much and when he left to go home, they entered themselves into his service.
They also became Jewish proselytes, however David felt that they were guests in Israel and he could not ask them to risk their lives for a King that had no kingdom and didn't know where he was going. But, Ittai was like Ruth; he begged to remain with David saying, "Wherever you go, I will go, whether it means life or death." So David allowed them to go along.
It was a sad procession going out of Jerusalem. David had Zadok and Abithar, the Priests, bring out the Ark of the Covenant and set it down by the side of the road until everyone had passed then they were to take it back to the Tabernacle. David surmised that it was up to the Lord as to whether he would ever see it again.
David headed east across the Kidron Brook and up the Mt. of Olives toward Jericho and the Jordan River. When David heard that his councilor, A-hi-tho-fel, had gone to Absalom, he prayed that he would give Absalom bad advice.
When they reached the top of the Mt. of Olives, Hu-shai the Archite, one of David's councilors, was waiting there and in mourning. He wanted to go with David but David felt that because of his age, he might be a burden. So he asked him to go back to Jerusalem and fake alliance to Absalom and frustrate and counter any advice that Absalom might get. He was also to listen for any plans that Absalom might make to capture David and tell those plans to Zadok and Abithar, the Priests, and they in turn would send their sons, Ahimo-az and Jonathan, to find David and tell him. So Hushai returned to Jerusalem and arrived there just before Absalom arrived.
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