Life of David
Teachers
Lesson Summary
In this class, Jake Collins examined Absalom's rebellion, one of the most significant events in David's life and reign. The teacher traced the events of 2 Samuel 15-18, showing how Absalom manipulated the people of Israel by positioning himself as a more accessible judge and gradually stole their hearts over several years. Once he had sufficient support, Absalom had himself declared king in Hebron, forcing David to make the difficult decision to flee Jerusalem. Rather than risk bloodshed in the city he loved, David evacuated with his remaining loyal followers. As David fled, his responses to those he encountered revealed his emotional state and priorities—welcoming some allies like Ittai the Gittite, yet telling others to turn back and work against Absalom from within Jerusalem. A particularly significant element of the rebellion was the defection of Ahithophel, David's chief counselor, to Absalom's side. The teacher revealed the personal motivation behind this betrayal: Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba, whose affair with David and the subsequent death of her husband Uriah had deeply wounded the family. With nothing left to lose, Ahithophel joined Absalom and provided devastating counsel. The class also highlighted the harassment David endured from Shimei, a descendant of Saul's house, who cursed David and claimed the rebellion was God's judgment for David's past violence. Despite having the power to silence Shimei, David refused, hoping that by accepting this suffering, God would show him favor and preserve his kingdom.
Key Scriptures
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city Gilo. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.
David and his servants fled Jerusalem... and the people with Absalom kept increasing.