13 Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”
14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
15 And the king’s servants said to the king, “We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands.” 16 Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house. 17 And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts. 18 Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king.
This may well have been David’s most difficult day as king—the day he had to flee his own palace, as the awareness of Absalom’s rebellion came into focus. Absalom has succeeded in gaining popular support and David can’t risk being attacked by the people that once revered him. What a sad day of defeat.
David had been a man of the people, but he’d lost track of that priority in recent years. Absalom’s rebellion succeeded because David neglected those he had once served. Perhaps the growth of his kingdom or other demands had changed him, but now he has no kingdom to lead.
Don’t ever forget that serving people is the real work we’ve been given to do. We may rise in authority or in the esteem others offer, but we are called to be servants. And when we forget that, it’s usually not long until we lose what we have. Be a servant when no one is watching and be a servant when your actions are seen by thousands. Don’t let power and position change your priorities.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
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