After Absalom's return from Geshur he was banished from the king’s (David’s) presence. Being banished from the kings presence pretty much meant that Absalom wouldn’t be expected to ascend to the throne. At this point you see Absalom begin playing a game with Joab to try and get a invitation into David’s courts or get Joab to work on his behalf to gain him access to his father’s courts but to no avail. It is also here that you can see that he aspires to the throne because of his manipulations and stratagem. For two years this “game” goes on and apparently Absalom grows impatient with being ignored. He eventually gains access to his father through Joab stating that he would rather take a chance of being slain rather than live life under house arrest.
At the same time Absalom then plots and basically perpetrated a conspiracy to usurp his father’s throne. He builds dissent and grudges against his father and had people align behind him that opposed David. He gives an ear (listens) to the people that David essentially has no time for due to ruling an entire kingdom hundreds of thousands perhaps millions. He becomes a friend to the people and in this way gains their loyalty. Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. He behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel. At the end of four years, Absalom puts his stratagem into motion. Through cunning, deceit and patience Absalom achieves his goal (Wiersbe 348).
• Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, 'Absalom is king in Hebron.'
• Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite
• The conspiracy gains strength; Absalom's following kept on increasing.
David flees, abdicating the throne in a bid to preserve Jerusalem and not have it destroyed through war/battles with Absalom. The true feather in Absalom’s hat though was his ability to sway and gain the favor of Ahithphel who was David’s best counseler/advisor. Ahithophel was probably all too happy to support Absalom’s usurpation of the throne, Bathsheba was his granddaughter. There were a lot of sordid things going on in this family.
Wiersbe, Warren. "David’s Unruly Sons." Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry (Bible Knowledge). Acambaro: Victor, 2003. 348. Print.
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