Absalom Usurps Throne of Israel

Two essential and independent selections are needed to confer rulership authority on a person: a selection by God followed by selection by the people without knowing God’s choice. A person that circumvents one or both selections to become ruler is a usurper. It is easy to recognize a case of circumventing the people’s authority but more difficult to recognize a case of circumventing the authority of God. We begin a three-part study focused on understanding usurpers based on characteristics described in the bible, to potentially learn how to recognize them. The current study examines the usurpation of the throne of Israel by Absalom—to understand that one or both components of rulership authority can be circumvented and identify some characteristic features of a usurper. Absalom became king over Israel (albeit for a short period) with neither the authority of God nor the authority of the people.

We resume our study series on The King and the People, which focuses on understanding God’s purpose for people-versus-government relationships. Based on biblical information regarding people-versus-government interactions in Israel during the periods of King Saul, David, Solomon, and others; the series seeks to contribute toward reducing the apparent gap in expectations between people and governments in the modern world. What should governments expect of the people and what should the people expect of their government? The bible often provides answers to such questions in enough details to guide everyday interactions among government leaders and recipients of government leadership.

We realized while studying David that his life as King in Waiting offers a wealth of information deserving examination in a different focus. Therefore, the series branched off awhile to study David as King in Waiting with a different focus, through a series on Waiting for God’s Time and another on Following God’s Schedule. To resume our study of David’s period as king of Israel with focus on the objectives of The King and the People series, we begin a three-part miniseries on Usurper—to understand that a person could usurp the authority of government, i.e., become a ruler without the authority of God or authority of the people. The study will examine the characteristics of known usurpers described in the bible to potentially learn how to recognize them. Also, we will examine an example in opposing a usurper to understand such opposition could be successful but requires adherence to due process.

Usurpation of Rulership

As we discuss in a previous study under Call to Rulership—Saul Anointed King, choosing a ruler for a people involves a two-step process. First is the call, whereby God charges a person with a mission to be ruler over the people. Second is the election, whereby the people select the same person as ruler without knowing he/she had been chosen by God. A call to rulership conveys God’s authority to the person he selects. We find examples in the anointing of Saul and David to be the first and second kings of Israel, respectively. Also, in a message to David through Prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 7:4–16), God declared his responsibility in choosing leaders for Israel. He declared he chose judges that ruled Israel before Saul, chose Saul as king but rejected him later, chose David to replace Saul, and will choose David’s offspring to succeed him and will establish his kingdom forever. He declares through the message that he gives rulership authority to those that rule over his people.

Privacy in Call to Rulership: The examples from Saul and David indicate that God considers the granting of rulership authority (i.e., a call to rulership) a private matter. Saul’s call was known only to him and Prophet Samuel. Similarly, the call of David was known only to him, Prophet Samuel, and, to some extent, members of David’s family that witnessed the anointing but didn’t quite understand what it meant.

Because a call to rulership is confidential, the subsequent election by the people represents a real decision of the people. For example, the people of Israel elected Saul through a hierarchical election-by-lot as we discuss under The Election in Government for All—Supporters and Opposition Alike. In the case of David, though he was too young to participate in Saul’s election, he most likely learned about the process later, maybe through Prophet Samuel. Therefore, he was well aware that the authority to make him king belonged to the people and would be exercised by the people, notwithstanding God’s authority conferred on him through the anointing. Therefore, as we discuss in Humility in Human Interactions, David waited to be elected king by due process of the people seven years after Saul (the preceding king) died.

Therefore, two essential and independent selections are needed to confer rulership authority and a person that circumvents one or both to become ruler is a usurper. It is easy to recognize a case of circumventing the people’s authority but more difficult to recognize a case of circumventing the authority of God. This study begins a three-part miniseries on understanding usurpers based on characteristics described in the bible, to potentially learn how to recognize them. The current study examines the usurpation of the throne of Israel by Absalom—to understand that one or both components of rulership authority can be circumvented and identify some characteristic features of a usurper. Absalom became king over Israel with neither the authority of God nor the authority of the people.

Usurper Characteristics
Based on Absalom Rebellion

Absalom, third son of David, sought to succeed his father as king without his father’s approval. He cultivated recognition and support among the people, by taking advantage of his position as prince to promise whatever he thought would please them. Also, he generated waves of dissatisfaction among the people by highlighting and exaggerating any inadequacies of his father’s administration [2 Samuel 15:3–4]: “Then Absalom would say to him, ‘Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.’ And Absalom would add, ‘If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.’” He did this every day, consistently for four years. At the end of the period, he deceived his father into letting him relocate to the former seat of government at Hebron. Also, he deceived two-hundred men that he took to Hebron to form the nucleus of his fighting force. There, he declared himself king and drove his father out of Jerusalem.

The rebellion by Absalom leads to several insights regarding usurpation.

1. Potential for Usurpation: It is possible to capture rulership by usurpation. Absalom cultivated support among the people, declared himself king, and became king (even if for a brief period) without an anointing or election. He proclaimed authority by declaring himself king. However, he did not have the authority of God and did not have the authority of the people.
2. Manufactured Dissatisfaction: A usurpation could start with instigating waves of dissatisfaction among the people by emphasizing and exaggerating society negatives. To build support, Absalom declared a lack of justice by accusing the king of not caring and not providing any mechanism for delivering justice. He did not provide any proof. Instead, he just stated the allegations, presented himself as well-suited to recognize and understand the problem, thereby generating waves of dissatisfaction that he rode to power [2 Samuel 15:3–4]: “…Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you…If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.”
3. Cheater: A usurper will cheat and trick others in the process of capturing power. Absalom lied to his father about his intention to relocate to Hebron. He told his father he needed to move to Hebron to “fulfill a vow I made to the Lord” [2 Samuel 15:7]. However, his real intention was to use the former seat of government there to launch his rebellion.
4. Trickster: A usurper will trick people into working for his/her purpose without understanding what they are doing. Absalom tricked two hundred men into joining him in Hebron to start a force of fighting men for his rebellion [2 Samuel 15:11]: “Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter.”
5. No Respect for Due Process: A usurper has no respect for due process. Absalom desired to succeed his father as king but did not respect his father’s choice in the matter. He was the third of his father’s several sons. Therefore, respect for due process would have meant serving close and loyal to his father and ready to accept his father’s decision. Instead he opted for a violent overthrow.
6. No Respect for the Institution of Government: A usurper often will show no respect for the dignity of the institution of government. For example, Absalom’s first act in office after he occupied the seat of government in Jerusalem was sleeping with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel [2 Samuel 16:20-22]: “Absalom said to Ahithophel, ‘Give us your advice. What should we do?’ Ahithophel answered, ‘Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.’ So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.”

Recovery Difficult and Expensive: Additionally, recovering power from a usurper will be difficult and expensive. To recover power from Absalom, David planted spies in Absalom’s government and organized an army to fight Absalom-led Israel. His army defeated Israel, killed several in the battle including his son Absalom.

Summary of What We Learned

Two essential and independent selections are needed to confer rulership authority on a person: a selection by God followed by selection by the people without knowing God’s choice. A person that circumvents one or both selections to become ruler is a usurper. It is easy to recognize a case of circumventing the people’s authority but more difficult to recognize a case of circumventing the authority of God.

We begin a three-part study focused on understanding usurpers based on characteristics described in the bible, to potentially learn how to recognize them. The current study examines the usurpation of the throne of Israel by Absalom—to understand that one or both components of rulership authority can be circumvented and identify some characteristic features of a usurper. Absalom became king over Israel (albeit for a short period) with neither the authority of God nor the authority of the people.

More Information

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