In the Bible, leadership is typically depicted as a divine appointment (e.g., David, Moses), and this is what we fervently seek in selecting leaders.
However, the Bible also records those who attempted to “seize” power for themselves without God’s endorsement, individuals driven by pride and ambition.
One of those who climbed into leadership by their own means was Absalom, King David’s third son. While known for his extreme outward beauty and long hair, he also nursed an ugly heart. In the story, he quietly orchestrated a sophisticated “grassroots” campaign to overthrow his father.
For four years, he stood at the city gate, intercepted people coming to David for justice, and told them, “If only I were appointed judge in the land!” By doing this, he “stole the hearts of the people of Israel.”
He won people to his side β people blinded and those who willingly look the other way for personal gain. These individuals either failed to discern Absalom’s selfish desire for popularity or were beguiled by the artful method the traitor insinuated.
Absalom eventually declared himself king in Hebron and forced David to flee Jerusalem.
What danger did Absalom pose? He didn’t use force initiallyβhe sat at the gate, cunningly and subtly working on the minds of the subjects. He positioned himself along the disgruntled’s path to hear their complaints, showing them that he cared more than his father did.
Absalom didn’t just want to lead; he made people believe the existing system was broken and only he could fix it. He undermined trust in the kingdom’s established systems by walking the tricky line: “If only I were appointed judge in the land!”
Beneath his smooth words lay a treacherous ambition: “If only the power were mine, I would show them how it’s done.”
While Absalom was the most handsome man in Israel, he relied on his charisma rather than competence. With his charm, he lured people into believing that his brilliance was the key to correcting poor leadership. He employed flattery rather than earning respect and integrity naturally.
His “celebrity” tactics prioritized his image and desired fame over the weight of the kingdom’s responsibilities.
Furthermore, Absalom created secret conspiracies, building a private inner circle of allies dedicated to himself rather than the kingdom’s welfare. He exploited vulnerability, targeting those who feel overlooked and unheard.
In reality, Absalom didn’t bring people together; he was just winning by making his father look like the enemy.
In the end, Absalom’s greatest strengthβhis hairβbecame the instrument of his downfall when it got caught in a tree. Theologically and psychologically, this suggests that the very thing this self-appointed king relied on to get ahead (charm, ego, manipulation) was what eventually trapped him.
This de facto ruler prepared for four years for his ascent into the kingdom, only to receive his doom quickly.
Sadly, there are also Absaloms in our day…
These modern, self-appointing Absaloms, who resist the sacred process of choosing leaders through divine appointment, may succeed in winning their case. However, the Bible tells us that βa crown stolen is never a crown kept.β
Charm and luring words may seize a throne, but with the absence of divine appointment, they can never sustain a kingdom.
ππΊπ― ππΆπ€π¦π³π° / CPUC Communication Department