VERSES: 2 Samuel 15:7-37
MEMORY VERSE: 2 Samuel 15:12 "...for the people increased continually with Absalom."
BOOK TO REMEMBER: 1 Samuel. Write "1 Samuel" on small slips of paper and hand out to students at the end of class.
PRAYER: May we always treasure and stay close to God and His Word. Pray that we never rebel against God.
SPECIAL SONG: The Books Of The Old Testament (see March - Songs We Sing In Bible Class #3 on this blog)
VISUAL AID: Whiteboard or Chalkboard Drawings of Activity below.
LESSON POINTS:
- One day, Absalom said to King David, "Please let me go and pay a vow to the LORD in Hebron. When I was in Geshur, I vowed that if God would let me come back to Jerusalem, then I would serve the LORD." Since Absalom was born in Hebron, David agreed and told him to go in peace. But Absalom was lying to his father! What Absalom really did was sent spies all over Israel and said that when they heard the trumpet sound, then they would all say that Absalom was reigning as a king in Hebron. WHAT?? Who was King over ALL Israel? King David was! What was Absalom trying to do? He was trying to take the kingdom of Israel away from his father! So, Absalom took 200 men who were innocent. They knew nothing about this rebellion and were only following Absalom's directions. Absalom sent for David's counselor, Ahithophel, to come to him. The conspiracy or rebellion was very strong because everyone was going over to Absalom's side and away from David's.
- Uh-oh! A messenger came to King David and told him, "The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom." David knew his son and knew what he would do, so immediately, he told all of his servants in Jerusalem to get up and leave Jerusalem in a hurry or they would not escape from Absalom! He knew that Absalom would bring the sword to Jerusalem and kill everyone. So the king took everyone with him except ten women to keep the palace. King David left the city first and all his people followed him, then his servants passed on beside him and all of his bodyguards who were good-fighting soldiers, and they all went to a place far away in the wilderness The priests who went with King David took the ark of the covenant with them. All of the people in the whole country were sad and cried with a loud voice.
- David was very sad about leaving his palace and his kingdom in Jerusalem. He told Zadok, a priest and friend, to take the ark of the covenant and his two sons back to Jerusalem and the LORD would do to David what seemed good to Him. Then David went up to Mount Olivet and his people followed him. They all cried as they went. While David was there on the mountain, he received word that his counselor, Ahithophel, was helping Absalom. David prayed that the LORD would turn all of Ahithophel's counsel to foolishness.
- David set up spies in Absalom's camp. Hushai, a true friend of David's, came to David with his coat torn and dirt upon his head in sadness that David had left Jerusalem. David told Hushai that if he continued to go with him that he would be a burden to David. BUT...if Hushai returned to Absalom and told Absalom that he would be a servant to him as he had been to David, then whatever information Hushai overheard in Absalom's camp, then it would be a help to David. There were already two priests, Zadok and Abiathar, who were in Jerusalem to whom Hushai could tell the information and they could get word to David. Hushai took David's advice and returned to Jerusalem. We will see what happens next time.
"Older Student" Tips:
- We remember Korah's Rebellion and what happened to Korah during Moses' time when they rebelled against the LORD, don't we? (See May - Lesson - Korah's Rebellion on this blog). This is the same thing that Absalom was doing--rebelling against God's Will.
ACTIVITIES: Absalom Rebels Against David
Materials needed: 9" x 12" white construction paper, crayons.
- Hand out white paper to students.
- Place paper (landscape) on table.
- Fold two outside edges to middle of paper.
- Unfold.
- Draw a scene with King David (on the right side of the paper) by an olive tree on Mt. Olivet, all of his followers in the background (circles for faces are fine).
- Write "David sets up his own spies" and "2 Samuel 15:30-37" at the top of the paper.
- Write "Mt. Olivet" at the bottom of paper.
- Fold left side of paper again.
- Draw Hushai, David's friend, facing David on the left folded paper.
- Write "Hushai", "David's friend helps" on the left side of the paper. (see picture)
- Draw dirt on Hushai's head and rips in his clothes.
- Write "Dirt" by Hushai's head and "Torn" by Hushai's clothes.
- Fold right-side of paper to meet Hushai in the middle of the paper. (see picture)
- Draw Zadok and Athiathar in front of the city of Jerusalem.
- Write "Jerusalem" on the top of the right side of the paper.
- Write "Zadok" and "Abiathar" by each man.
- The student may close the left side of the paper, showing David talking to Hushai, then closing the right side of paper, so that Hushai can tell Zadok and Abiathar things that are happening with Absalom in Jerusalem.
