Absalom’s Conspiracy
15 Now it came about after this that Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men [a]to run ahead of him. 2 And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the road to the gate; and when any man who had a lawsuit was to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call out to him and say, “From what city are you?” And he would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “See, your [b]claims are good and right, but you have no one to listen to you on the part of the king.” 4 Moreover, Absalom would say, “Oh that someone would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has a lawsuit or claim could come to me, and I would give him justice!” 5 And whenever a man approached to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Absalom dealt this way with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
7 Now it came about at the end of [c]four years that Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow which I have made to the Lord, in Hebron. 8 For your servant made a vow while I was living in Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the Lord will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’” 9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he got up and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’” 11 Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, who were invited and went [d]innocently, for they did not know anything. 12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people continually increased with Absalom.
Be careful who you surround yourself with. Here is one of David’s own men, his counselor, who goes over to Absalom at the drop of a hat. Indeed, he may have even been in on the plot to take over the kingdom.
Do not depend on men (and women) in your time of need. Though you certainly need people in your corner, put your faith in God, who alone is a rock of certainty. Trust Him, and ask God to guide you daily in your relationships.
Not to exclude anyone who isn’t chasing God wholeheartedly, for how else would you show the love of God to others? But to ensure that those you rely on are trustworthy and true. That when trials come, you will have people to encourage you and lift your spirits. To push you in the right direction, and not to wallow in your misery. People that will be as iron sharpening iron, helping you to become more like God every day.