2 Samuel 15:2-4 (NASB Strong’s (Lockman))
Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way to the gate; and when any man had a suit to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And he would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” Then Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.” Moreover, Absalom would say, “Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice.”
Tag: Envy Eats the Heart
Absalom, one of King David’s sons, so wanted to be the king. Per the above verse, he even played the king in the streets. Absalom would sit at the city gate and pretend to be the king and help them with their conflicts. He would “claim” that the King (his father, David) did not have time for their petty quarrels. In this case, he did exactly what David did when he was young and King Saul was the king:
1 Samuel 18:16
But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.
Absalom simply did what David did ... he captured the heart of the people:
2 Samuel 15:6 (NASB Strong’s (Lockman))
In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.
But, why? Out of pure envy for the position of King. In the next five chapters the story is unfolded of this royal coup. Absalom would run King David out of Jerusalem. David would flea and then Absalom would hunt him down. David’s soldiers would eventually kill Absalom and David would return to being the king - absent a son. Why? Out of pure envy. Envy eats the heart. Envy destroys the consciousness of the brain and causes us to do foolish things. Absalom did a foolish thing by revolting against his father’s leadership. He eventually dies for it. Envy can eat your heart and eventually you will die for it.
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