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kissing conspiracy

2 Samuel 15:1-12 (JDV)

2 Samuel 15:1 It happened after this, Absalom got himself a chariot, horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 Samuel 15:2 He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for settlement, Absalom called out to him and asked, “What city are you from?” If he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,”
2 Samuel 15:3 Absalom said to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you.”
2 Samuel 15:4 He added, “If only someone would appoint me to judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice.”
2 Samuel 15:5 When a person approached to pay homage to him, Absalom reached out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him.
2 Samuel 15:6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for a settlement. So, Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 15:7 When four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I made to the Lord.
2 Samuel 15:8 For your servant made a vow when I lived in Geshur of Aram, saying: If Yahveh really brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship Yahveh in Hebron.”
2 Samuel 15:9 “Go in peace,” the king said to him. So, he went to Hebron.
2 Samuel 15:10 Then Absalom sent agents throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron! ‘”
2 Samuel 15:11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They had been invited and were going innocently, because they did not know the whole situation.
2 Samuel 15:12 While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for David’s adviser Ahithophel the Gilonite, from his city of Giloh. So, the conspiracy grew strong, and the people supporting Absalom continued to increase.

kissing conspiracy

David so much wants to believe that the worst is over for him. He does not choose to see that Absalom is planning a conspiracy against him. It is difficult to keep positive faith while not falling for every con job and getting the wool pulled over our eyes. We need to be harmless as doves, but wise as serpents. This world will not treat us right. We need to come into relationships expecting God to work, but also realizing the potential for the devil to work.

LORD, give us discernment.