Sermon Text: 2 Samuel 16:15-17:4

Theme: By accepting despicable counsel to antagonize his father, Absalom declared his irreversible and open opposition to the Lord who had chosen David as king of Israel.

Structure/points:  When Absalom was busy stealing the hearts of Israel, he created a public image of majesty mixed with familiarity and civic-mindedness.  But after the launch of his coup, Absalom’s first royal actions showed that he didn’t care about the Lord God of Israel or even about the Israelites.  Absalom talked a big game, but he only cared about himself and his desires.  Israel had rejected David as king and chose in his place a man who used his new power to commit moral outrages publicly.  Absalom was a rebel not just against his father, but against the Lord Himself.

1. Hushai’s guise of support
2. Absalom’s crime against David
3. Ahithophel’s deadly advice