May 30, 2023
“David walked up the road to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered and his feet were bare as a sign of mourning” (2 Samuel 15:30 NLT). When David heard that his son Absalom sought to overthrow him as king, he fled from Jerusalem going East up the slope of
May 30, 2021
JESUS BORE GOD’S WRATH THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE HIS MERCY When David was betrayed by his son, Absalom, he fled from Jerusalem going East up the slope of the Mount of Olives. As he climbed the Mount, he wept and prayed that God would have mercy on him. God heard David’s prayer and ultimately restored
May 29, 2017
Who was Absalom?
Absalom was the third born son of David. His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2 Sam. 3:3). He was the son and the grandson of kings. He was praised above all others in Israel for his good looks. And he knew how to use them, charming all Israel not only with his looks, but with his endearing words. Yet, Absalom, whose name means “My father is peace” (Ab “father” + Shalom “peace”), brought rebellion to his father’s house.
Ironically, it wasn’t his father’s peace, but his passivity that opened the door to Absalom’s treason. After David had passively stayed home from war with Ammon, he fell into sin with a married woman, committing adultery and having her husband murdered to cover it up. The prophet Nathan delivered God’s judgment that even though the Lord had forgiven him, the “sword would never depart” from his house (2 Sam.12:10). The sins of the father would become the sins of the sons.
David’s firstborn, Amnon, committed adultery with his half-sister, Tamar, the full-sister of Absalom. Although David was angry, he passively did nothing. So, Absalom took matters into his own hands and conspired to have Amnon killed. After he fled to his mother’s family for a while, David later invited him back home, yet passively did not meet with him to address what had happened. Over time, Absalom took advantage of David’s passivity and began to woo the people to see him as their new king.
Surely David heard about Absalom’s behavior, riding about in a horse drawn chariot with 50 men running before him, sitting as a judge in the city gates, offering to be a better king to anyone who would listen. But David took no action.
So, Absalom “stole the hearts” of Israel and went to Hebron to declare himself king. And David fled from Jerusalem to hide from his own son.
Absalom was named to be the son of his father’s peace. Yet in reality, he was the son of his father’s passivity. And passive fathers often produce rebellious sons.
May 30, 2016
When David was betrayed, he fled from Jerusalem going East towards the Mount of Olives. As he climbed the Mount he wept and prayed that God would have mercy on him. God heard David’s prayer and restored him to the throne. Centuries later, Jesus, Son of David, left Jerusalem to pray on that same Mount. Weeping he prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39). God prevented David’s betrayer from succeeding, but Jesus’ betrayer found him there on the Mount of Olives and turned him over to the authorities to be crucified. God showed David mercy, but poured out the judgment that belonged to us all upon His Son, Jesus. Jesus took the wages of our sin, so that God could show not only David, but all of us His mercy.
May 30, 2014
When David was betrayed, he fled from Jerusalem going East towards the Mount of Olives. As he climbed the Mount he wept and prayed that God would have mercy on him. God heard David’s prayer and restored him to the throne. Centuries later, Jesus, Son of David, left Jerusalem to pray on that same Mount. Weeping he prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39). God prevented David’s betrayer from succeeding, but Jesus’ betrayer found him there on the Mount of Olives and turned him over to the authorities to be crucified. God showed David mercy, but poured out the judgment that belonged to us all upon His Son, Jesus. Jesus took the wages of our sin, so that God could show not only David, but all of us His mercy.
May 30, 2011
Fleeing from Absalom, David wept on the Mount. Jesus, Son of David, wept here too, crying out, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem!” He also prayed here in the Garden the night of His betrayal. Do you have a “Mount of Olives” in which to pray?