Absalom Spirit I

‘Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech’ Prov.4:24

There is so much to be learnt from the life of David. It is my prayer that even as we study, we will take note of the sins we need to repent of and the errors to avoid. The story of Absalom is filled with errors to avoid especially in parenting. So Amnon raped Tamar and the lust turned to hatred. This is the sorrow of every fornicator. You think your dreams of marriage will end if you do not sleep with him before marriage? If you give in to lust, hatred would the result. When he heard what had happened, he was furious. But guess what Absalom did – nothing! For two years, Absalom did nothing. My guess is that he will run into Amnon and exchange pleasantries like nothing happened. So no one suspected anything was wrong. Then Absalom threw a party and invited all the sons of the king and killed Amnon for the sin he committed two years before. Be careful of people you offend but they smile with you. I would rather have people that will look me in the face and tell me what I have done. You are safer with the later than the former because when the former nail you, you will be shocked. That was how Absalom was.

David got wind of what had happened and was not happy. So Absalom ran to his grandfather’s house and stayed there. Although David was upset with Absalom but his heart longed for him. That is the father’s heart. Joab knew and with David’s consent he brought Absalom back but David did not want to see him. So he stayed in Joab’s house for two years. After two years, Absalom got irritated, he wanted to be recognized. When Joab refused to see him, Absalom set his field on fire and that got Joab’s attention. Absalom sent Joab to tell the king ‘what’s the point of bringing me back to Jerusalem if I cannot come to the palace?’ So David softened and he came to the palace. And every morning for the next four years Absalom worked relentlessly to steal the heart of the people. Everyone in leadership must watch out for the spirit of Absalom in the people around them. What is the spirit of Absalom? A spirit that seeks to overturn the rule of the current leader. The spirit of Absalom is one that even when the current leader exists, preaches of a better leadership in his tenure.

Prayer: Father, I ask that You flush out every Absalom spirit that has taken root in my heart and around me, in Jesus Name.