Consummate Politician

Reflections on 2 Samuel 15:1-6
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In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant.
-- Charles de Gaulle

Absalom was a keen observer of how David's government operated. He saw an opportunity to exploit the system to undermine his father and advance his own royal ambitions, which he exhibited by riding in a chariot and sending fifty men to run ahead of him just as Samuel had warned that kings would do (1 Samuel 8:11).

FINDING GRIEVANCES. Absalom observed that people unhappy with decisions of their city elders brought their complaints to the king. Absalom decided to greet these people before they got to the king. Greeting the people in this way would make them feel that they were important.

PRETENDING SYMPATHY. Not only did Absalom make the people feel important, but he also assured them that their complaint was important and just. Nevertheless, he warned the people that the king didn't even have any representatives to hear their complaint. Indeed, the people may have had a difficult time getting a hearing if they had not been sent by their city elders because the case was too difficult for them (Deuteronomy 17:8-10). If for any reason a hearing was denied or delayed (to collect evidence or gather witnesses, for instance), then these people would think favorably of Absalom who not only met them but also would have already ruled in their favor.

STEALING HEARTS. Absalom identified himself with the people. He did not allow the people to bow down to him. Instead, he reached out to them, gave them a hearty hug and kissed them. His informality and intimacy contrasted with the formal greeting given royalty. In this way he "stole" the hearts of the people. In other words, he took their hearts with stealth or secrecy (TWOT, #364). By refusing to allow the people to bow down to him, Absalom could always "prove" that he had no aspirations to the throne (see Bergen, 2001, p. 397).