“Then Avshalom would continue, ‘Now if I were made judge in the land, anyone with a suit or other cause could come to me, and I would see that he gets justice!’ Moreover, whenever any man came close to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. This is how Avshalom behaved toward anyone in Israel who came to the king for judgment, and in this way Avshalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.“-2 Samuel 15:4
Avshalom is letting his anti-Christ colors fly at full throttle.
How so?
By seizing on the intense dissatisfaction the people were experiencing with Israel’s court system.
People would haul their butts up to Jerusalem to get their cases heard, only to be turned away.
If you’ve ever dealt with a government office in a third-world country, I’m sure you can relate to the frustration the people were feeling.
David had shirked in his duties to properly appoint judges as he should have.
So Absalom stepped in and assured everyone that if he were in charge of things, he would make all their problems disappear.
Since Absalom was a son of David (prophetic hint here, folks), he commanded instant respect and admiration.
No one doubted him.
When the people approached, they would bow down, but Absalom stopped them with a kiss of friendship.
These acts of Judas-like affection stole the hearts of the people.
Now, don’t forget, when I say “hearts,” I mean “minds.”
The Hebrew word for “heart” is LEV.
In those days, the heart wasn’t thought of as the organ that reflected emotions.
During Biblical times, the heart was believed to operate as the brain functions today.
So Absalom stole their minds.
He had them fully convinced that he was the best and most logical choice to be their leader.
So what’s the takeaway for today?
It’s that Absalom acted like every deceiving and evil ruler who has ever appeared on the world stage of history.
Wanna know who a perfect example of a modern-day Absalom was?
Hitler.
How so?
Well, think about it.
This leader of the Nazis didn’t roll in with the tanks first.
He rolled in with sweet talk and charm.
He made promises that tickled the ears of a people frustrated, broke, humiliated, and desperate for justice.
Just like Absalom, Hitler told the people…
“If I were in charge, I’d make it all right again.”
And just like Absalom, he offered a fake solution.
In fact, he offered what he called the FINAL solution.
And just like Absalom, the end wasn’t justice.
It was judgment.
So that’s your takeaway for today.
The Absalom we encounter in this chapter is the blueprint for every slick-talking, power-hungry manipulator who ever conned a nation into burning itself down while clapping.
Ya feel me?
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