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Scripture
Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men to start out after David tonight. I will catch up with him while he is weary and discouraged. He and his troops will panic, and everyone will run away. Then I will kill only the king, and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only one man’s life that you seek. Then you will be at peace with all the people.” This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel. 2 Samuel 17:1-4

Observation
Leaders are brought down not by enemies from afar, but by those closest to them. For Jesus it was his traveling friend Judas. For David it was his son Absalom and his trusted advisor Ahithophel. The king’s son and his right hand man cooly plotted an assassination and employed metaphors about a happy wedding ceremony. Why would someone on the inner circle treat a leader with such vindictiveness?

We know that Absalom had years of unresolved offenses that had never experienced closure. His sister was raped and David did nothing. He murdered his brother and was allowed to moulder in exile. When he came home he was not allowed to see his father’s face. Years of unresolved issues built up pressure. For Ahithophel it is unclear what his issues were. All we know about him is that he was an exceptional advisor from David’s own tribe. He came from a town a short walk from Hebron, so more than likely he had been with David since the beginning.

We could leave it there, but their animosity had a greater cause than the offenses David the leader caused them hurt, but their real issue was their lack of trust in God to resolve things and their choice to take matters into their own hands. Their rebellion was not David’s fault; it was their own responsibility. A leader is ultimately accountable to the Lord for all decisions. Those who follow need a confidence that God is fully capable of contending with leaders he has appointed when he sees the need. Those who follow are responsible for that which is in their authority to repair. The correction of kings, however, rests in the Creator’s hands.

Application
Offenses will not make my heart rebellious. But it if attempt correct offenses out of my control, that will lead me into an Absalom or Judas spirit. Like a kitchen grease trap, so offenses that collect need to be purged. How important it is to keep our spirit clean.

Prayer
Father, keep our spirit clean. Amen.