A Tale of Three Kings (5 page)

Yet he grieved more and more. It was obvious that some reports drove him to agony. Finally, his righteous anger broke out in cool, controlled words of strength. “These things ought not to be.” He stood, eyes blazing. “If I were in responsibility, this is what I would do. . . .”

And with these words, the rebellion was ignited. Ignited in all but one, that is. In the man who seemed noblest and purest, this was not the case.

Rebellion had been in his heart for years.

Chapter 21

“Sage!”

“Yes?”

“Sage, may I have a moment of your time?”

“Why, of course. I have a great deal of time.”

“You have just come from a gathering of friends at Absalom’s home?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Would you mind sharing some of the impressions you had while there?”

“You mean a general impression of Absalom and his friends?”

“Yes, that would be good enough.”

“Well, I have met many men like Absalom. Many.”

“Then what is he like?”

“He is both sincere and ambitious. A contradiction, perhaps, but true, nonetheless. He probably means some of what he says. But his ambition will continue long after he discovers his inability to do the things he promises. Righting the wrongs always becomes secondary to ascent to power.”

“I’m sorry, Sage, I do not understand.”

“Two things stand out in my mind. At one gathering, when Absalom was answering questions, he was very emphatic that there should be more freedom in the kingdom. Everyone liked that. ‘A people should be led only by God and not by men,’ he said. ‘Men should do only what they feel led of God to do. We should follow God, not a man.’ I believe those were his words.

“At another meeting he spoke of the great visions he had for God’s kingdom—of the great achievements the people were capable of. On the other hand, he spoke of many changes he would make in the way the kingdom is run. Although he did not seem to notice it, he had stated two irreconcilable propositions: many changes, more freedom.

“Yes, indeed, he does remind me of many other men I have encountered over the passing years.”

“Sage, I think I understand what you’ve said, but I’m not sure what your point is.”

“Absalom dreams. Dreams of what should be, of what
will
be: ‘This is what
I
will do,’ he says. But to fulfill those dreams, he must have the people’s cooperation. Ah, this is the point often overlooked. Such dreams rest totally on the premise that the people of God will follow the new leader, that
all
will see as he sees. Such men as Absalom can envision no problems in their own future kingdom. Possibly the people
will
follow, but possibly they will not.

“At most, the Lord’s people will follow a leader for a few years. They never support anyone very long. Generally, people do what they please. They can be stopped to do someone else’s pleasure for a time, but not for long. People will not work too hard, even if they are following
God
.

“What will Absalom do when people stop following
him
willingly? Ah, now there is a question.

“You see, there is no kingdom without discord. Even God had his critics in heaven, you know. All kingdoms follow a bumpy course. And people, especially God’s people, never follow any dream in unison. No, to accomplish all he spoke of tonight will take time. Not all will be willing to go along. Will he still be determined to put all his dreams into being? If so, then Absalom has but one recourse:
dictatorship
. Either that, or he will see few, if any, of his grand dreams accomplished. And if he does become a dictator, I can assure you that soon there will be discontent with
him,
just as there is now with the present king. Yes, if Absalom becomes king, soon thereafter you will see new meetings like the one we have just come from tonight . . . only with new faces, new dreams, and plans for a new rebellion. And that gathering will be against Absalom! Then, when
Absalom
hears of such a meeting and of discussion about a rebellion, he will have but one recourse.”

“What do you feel he will do, Sage?”

“Rebels who ascend to the throne by rebellion have no patience with other rebels and their rebellions. When Absalom is faced with rebellion, he will become a tyrant. He will bring ten times the evil he sees in your present king. He will squelch rebellion and rule with an iron hand . . . and by fear. He will eliminate all opposition. This is always the final stage of high-sounding rebellions. Such will be Absalom’s way if he takes the throne from David.”

“But, Sage, have not some rebellions been of benefit, throwing out brutes and despots?”

“Oh, yes, a few. But I remind you: This particular kingdom is different from all others. This kingdom is composed of God’s people. It is a spiritual kingdom. I tell you emphatically, no rebellion in the kingdom of God is proper, nor can it ever be fully blessed.”

“Why do you say this, Sage?”

“For many reasons. One is obvious. In the spiritual realm, those who lead rebellions have already proven, no matter how grandiose their words or angelic their ways, that they have a critical nature, an unprincipled character, and hidden motives in their hearts. Frankly, they are thieves. They create dissatisfaction and tension within the realm and then either seize power or siphon off followers. They use their followers to found their own dominions. Such a sorry beginning, built on the foundation of insurrection. . . . No, God never honors division in his realm.

“I find it curious that those who feel qualified to split God’s kingdom do not feel capable of going somewhere else—to another land—to raise up a completely new kingdom. No, they must steal from another leader. I have never seen the exception. They seem always to need at least a few prepackaged followers.

“Beginning empty-handed and alone frightens the best of men. It also speaks volumes of just how sure they are that God is with them. Their every word, if truly understood, tells of their insecurity.

“There are many lands unspoiled and unpossessed. There are many people in other places waiting to follow a true king, a true man of God. Why don’t ‘would-be kings and prophets’ simply walk quietly away, alone, then find another people in another place, and there raise up the kingdom they envision?

“Those who lead rebellions in the spiritual world are unworthy. There are no exceptions. And now I must go. I must join the passing parade.”

“Tell me, Sage, what is your name?”

“My name? I am History.”

Chapter 22

David stood on the balcony overlooking the gardened terrace of his palace. The lights from the houses in the Holy City twinkled below him. From behind, a man approached. David sighed and, without turning, spoke. “Yes, Joab, what is it?”

“Have you heard?”

“Yes, I’ve heard,” he replied quietly.

“How long have you known?” asked Joab with anxious surprise.

“For months, years, perhaps a decade. Perhaps I have known for thirty years.”

Joab was not sure, after this answer, if they were speaking of the same subject. Absalom, after all, was not much past thirty. “Sir, I speak of Absalom,” he said a little hesitantly.

“As do I,” said the king.

“If you have known so long, why did you not stop him?”

“I was just asking myself that same question.”

“Shall I stop him for you?”

David whirled round! In one instant, Joab’s query had resolved his dilemma.

“No! Nor shall you speak one word to him. Nor shall you criticize him. Nor shall you allow anyone else to speak critically of him or what he is doing. Certainly you shall not stop him.”

“But will he not then take the kingdom?”

David sighed again, softly, slowly. For a moment he balanced between tears and a smile. Then he smiled lightly and said, “Yes, perhaps he will.”

“What will you do? Do you have plans?”

“No. None. Quite frankly, I have no idea what to do. I have fought many battles and faced many sieges. I have usually known what to do. But for this occasion, I have only the experience of my youth to draw on. The course I followed at that time seems to be the best I can follow now.”

“And what course was that?”

“To do absolutely nothing.”

Chapter 23

David was alone again. Slowly, quietly, he walked the length of his rooftop garden. Finally he paused and spoke aloud to himself.

“I have waited, Absalom. I have waited and watched for years. I have asked again and again, ‘What is in the heart of this young man?’ And now I know. You will do the unthinkable. You will divide the very kingdom of God. All else was talk.”

David was quiet for a moment. Then, almost in awe, he spoke, his voice hushed. “Absalom does not hesitate to divide the
kingdom of God
.

“Now I know. He seeks followers. Or at least he does not turn them away. Though he seems magnificently pure and noble, still he divides. His followers grow, even though he states convincingly that he has none.”

For a long time David said nothing. Finally, with a trace of humor in his words, he began to address himself. “All right, good King David, you have one issue resolved. You are in the middle of a division, and you may very well be dethroned. Now, to the second issue.” He paused, lifted his hand and, almost fatally, asked, “What will you
do
?

“The kingdom hangs in the balance. It seems I have two choices: to lose everything or to be a Saul. I can stop Absalom. I need only to be a Saul. In my old age, shall I now become a Saul? I feel the Lord himself awaits my decision.

“Shall I now be a Saul?” he asked himself again, this time loudly.

A voice from behind answered, “Good King, he has been no David to you.”

David turned. It was Abishai who had approached unannounced.

“A crowded place, this terrace,” quipped David.

“Sir?” said Abishai.

“Nothing. Suffice it to say I have not been without visitors today—a day when I would have chosen solitude. What did you say to me? In fact, what did I say?”

“You said, ‘Shall I be a Saul to Absalom?’ and I replied, ‘He has been no young David to you.’”

“I never challenged Saul; I never attempted to divide the kingdom during his reign. Is that what you are saying?”

“More,” replied Abishai strongly. “Saul was evil toward you and made your life torture. You responded only with respect and private agony. The bad things that happened in those days came only from one side. All fell on you. Yet you could have divided the kingdom and probably could have overthrown Saul. But rather than do that, you left the kingdom. You fled rather than cause division. You risked your life for unity and sealed your lips and eyes to all his injustices. You had more cause to rebel than any man in the history of this—or of any kingdom that has ever been. Absalom has to twist hard to conjure up his list of injustices . . . few of them significant, I might add.

“Has Absalom behaved as you did? Has Absalom respected you? Does Absalom seek to preserve the kingdom? Does he refuse to speak against you? Does Absalom turn aside followers? Has Absalom left the land to prevent its being sundered? Is Absalom respectful? Does he bear suffering in silent agony? Have bad things fallen on Absalom?

“No, he is only pure and noble!”

Abishai’s last words came out almost in bites. Then he continued, more gravely this time.

“His grievances are minor compared to your rightful grievances toward Saul. You never mistreated Saul. And you have never, in any way, been unfair to Absalom.”

David interrupted with a grin. “I seem to have a gift for making old men and young men hate me without a cause. In my youth, the old attacked me; when I am old, the young attack me. What a marvelous achievement.”

“My point,” continued Abishai, “is that Absalom is no David. Therefore I ask you: Why don’t you stop his rebellion? Stop him, the miserable . . .”

“Careful, Abishai. Remember he is also a son of the king. We should never speak ill of the son of a king.”

“Good King, I remind you that you refused to raise your sword or your spear even once against Saul. But Absalom speaks against you night and day. He will one day—soon—raise an army against you. Nay, a nation.
This
nation! Young Absalom is no young David. I counsel you to stop him!”

“You are asking me, Abishai, to become a Saul,” David replied heavily.

“No, I’m simply saying he is no David. Stop him!”

“And if I stop him, will I still be a David? If I stop him, will I not be a Saul?” asked the king, his eyes piercing Abishai. “To stop him, I must become either a Saul or an Absalom.”

“My king and my friend, I speak to you fondly: I sometimes think you are a bit insane.”

“Yes, I can see why,” chuckled David.

“Dear King, Saul was a bad king. Absalom is, in some ways, a youthful incarnation of Saul. You alone are constant. You are forever the brokenhearted shepherd boy. Tell me truthfully, what do you plan?”

“Until now, I have not been sure. But of this I am certain: In my youth I was no Absalom. And in my old age I shall not be a Saul. In my youth, by your own words, I was David. In my old age I intend to be David still. Even if it costs me a throne, a kingdom, and perhaps my head.”

Abishai said nothing for a while. Then, slowly, he spoke, making sure he grasped the significance of David’s decision.

“You were not an Absalom, and you refuse to be a Saul. Sir, if you are not willing to put Absalom down, then I suggest we prepare to evacuate the kingdom. For Absalom will surely take the throne.”

“Only as surely as King Saul killed the shepherd boy,” replied the wise old king.

“What?” asked Abishai, startled.

“Think on it, Abishai. God once delivered a defenseless shepherd boy from the powerful, mad king. He can yet deliver an old ruler from an ambitious young rebel.”

“You underestimate your adversary,” retorted Abishai.

“You underestimate my God,” replied David serenely.