Imagine this, the great king David, the one famous for his victories, is now climbing up the Mount of Olives on his way to the desert. His head is covered, his feet are bare and he is weeping. He is weeping over the betrayal of his trusted counselor, Ahithophel, and even more over the betrayal of his son, Absalom.
Then he encounters Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, the one who has been feasting at his table as one of his own sons, and learns that Mephibosheth has gone back to Jerusalem because he thinks the Saul's kingdom will become his own.
As they leave the summit of the Mount of Olives and approach Bahurim, another of Saul's relatives comes out and follows him down the road, all the while pelting David and his officials with dirt, stones, and curses. David doesn't flinch. Nothing could hurt any more than fleeing from your own son.
Then the greatest insult, Absalom pitches a tent on the roof of David's palace and brings David's concubines in so he can sleep with them in view of all of the city.
David still has to think of the safety of his officials and the rest of his family, so he musters together whatever troops he can from the remnant that was following him and watches as the men marched out to fight Absalom and Israel. David's plea to the commanders is that they be gentle with Absalom. David knew that there could be no good outcome. He would either lose the battle or his son.
As it was, Absalom's pride and glory, his long thick hair, became his downfall, and as he hung by his hair tangled in a tree, he is slain, and the crown retained for David.
In this story of betrayal and humiliation, there is something reminiscent of Jesus' walk up Calvary. But God sacrificed his son willingly so that the battle might be won.
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