FIVE SMOOTH STONES - The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherds Bag

FIVE SMOOTH STONES — The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherd’s Bag

sons are dead. For only Amnon is dead." ... 37 ”But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Ge- shur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years .” David, being so filled with love and mercy not only missed Absalom but also was happy to forgive him and allow him back into Jerusalem when his commander Joab convinced him to do so. But David did not bring any correction to Absalom. There was no reconciliation or restitution. After two more years we begin to see the crux of the Absalom issue which leaders in many arenas must be aware of. 2 Samuel 14:25: “ Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 And when he cut the hair of his head — at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him — when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king's standard. ” 2 Samuel 15:1: “ After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, "What city are you from?" And he would say, "Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel." 3 Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you." 4 Moreover Absalom would say, "Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice." 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. ” Absalom was clearly a charismatic and gifted man with leadership abilities. He definitely had a high opinion of himself, and had a flair in how he presented himself to the people. He was not lazy; he would rise early. He also understood authority because he would sit in the gate. The gate is where the elders would gather to discuss things and Absalom would be there early. He would listen to the people and to their problems and grievances. He was subtle in how he methodically won over the hearts of the people to himself.

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