“At the end of four years Absalom said to the king, ‘Please let me go to Hebron and pay the vow that I have made to the LORD. For your servant made a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram: If the LORD will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’ The king said to him, ‘Go in peace.’ … The conspiracy grew in strength, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.” 2 Samuel 15:7-9a, 12b

Absalom (David’s son) is in the early stages of an attempt to overthrow and replace the king (David, his father). This situation is the outcome of a child allowed to get away with disobedience and lack of respect for a parent. Years before Absalom’s half-brother Amnon raped Tamar, Absalom’s sister with no consequences from David (the father of all). A few years later Absalom got revenge by killing Amnon, again with no consequences. After years of living in exile, David allowed Absalom to come home to Jerusalem, but didn’t allow him to come into David’s presence. Absalom undermines David’s kingship garnering support from the people. When he feels he has enough support to take power he asks to go to Hebron to worship. On the surface Absalom’s request seems reasonable since Hebron is the place of his birth and an authorized worship center. But why would a good religious Jew absent himself from the Ark of the Covenant (which is in Jerusalem) to worship God somewhere else? The answer ultimately is that Absalom is not going to worship God, but to set himself over his father, to anoint himself king. He is in the process of gathering support to make this happen. So he is leading others to worship an idol, a self-appointed and self-anointed king. He knows no boundaries, because he has not been held accountable for his actions. He has grown bolder and bolder in his disobedience. This is a lesson for parents, this is a lesson for the church, and this is a lesson for society in general. God’s boundaries are fixed, God’s kingdom is defined by God, the entrances are small. All are invited to enter, by God’s grace. Those who attempt to storm the doors by their own might will not enter, it is only through Gods’ grace and faith in Jesus. O God that I always remember to answer to you and the “authorities” you appoint to lead me.