Gospel Reflections #1100: Not based on true justice

2 Samuel 15:6 ‘Absalom treated all the Israelites who came to the king for judgement in this way, and thus won the hearts of the people of Israel.’

This describes the moment when Absalom, the son of King David, used cunning tactics to win the support of the people of Israel, thereby laying a solid foundation for his rebellion (coup) against his father.

Absalom had lived in exile after murdering his half-brother Amnon; although he was later allowed to return to Jerusalem, his relationship with his father, King David, had become completely estranged.

He devised a plan to seize the throne and spent several years making meticulous preparations.

Absalom would stand by the roadside at the gates of Jerusalem and speak to the people who came from the provinces seeking legal redress or judgement from the king.

He then won over the people in the following manner.

He listened to their complaints and affirmed, ‘Your case is well-founded.’

‘However,’ he would say, ‘there is no one on the king’s side to hear your case,’ leading them to believe that there were flaws in King David’s system of government.

‘If I were the judge of this land,’ he would say, ‘I would ensure you received a just judgement,’ thereby presenting himself as the ideal leader. He took the hands of the people who were about to bow down before him, embraced them, and exchanged kisses with them.

Although he was a prince, he played the part of a ‘humble and charismatic leader’ who stood on the same level as the people.

The hearts Absalom won over were not based on true justice or faith in God, but were gained through populism and false kindness.

The fact that the Bible describes this as ‘stealing their hearts’ rather than ‘winning their hearts’ indicates that the process was unjust and insincere.

David was a king appointed by God, but Absalom sought to seize the throne not by God’s will, but by skilfully manipulating the psychology of the people.

This illustrates the folly of attempting to overturn God’s plan through human wisdom or charm.

We, too, when our emotions strongly influence our response to various situations, may succumb to the desire to do things our own way, relying on our own strength rather than on God.

When circumstances are difficult, it is a time to reflect and an opportunity granted to us to return to God.

We should strive, at all times, not to cling to our own thoughts, but to surrender them to God.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.