2 Samuel 15:1

2 Samuel 15:1 says, And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.  As Absalom began to be more praised by the people, he began to assert his power more.  Matthew Henry says that Absalom was not humbled by all his troubles, but became proud and impatient to inherit the throne now instead of waiting until David died.  Unrepentant sin may led us to even bolder sins if we become proud because of them.  Verse two adds, And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servasnt is of one of the tribes of Israel.  Absalom began to get up early and sit before the gate where people came for judgment from the king.  He was in effect replacing David, the king and his father.  Anytime we begin to make judgments instead of allowing God through the leadership of the Holy Spirit to do so and elevate ourselves as the authority instead, we are guilty of attempting to replace the King, God Himself, Who is our Father if we are followers of Christ.  Verse three continues, And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.  Absalom then told the person with a problem that he was right in his concern, but that David had appointed no one to hear his case.  He made this claim to make David look bad and himself to look good, since he was there and David wasn't.  Even if David had people to hear the cases of the people, Absalom had put himself between them and David.  People who are engaged in sinful actions today will often attempt to declare themselves as the only one capable of dealing with the problems of the people and do their best to come between God and that person.  We need to look to God for answers and not to any one person, especially if they declare themselves to be the only one who can deal with the problems of life.  Verse four states, And Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!   Absalom then began to promote the idea that he could judge in these situations if he were given authority to do so.  I sometimes wonder where David was during a lot of the times when this type behavior was going on.  God, like David, may allow a lot of ungodly things to go on, and at times we may wonder where He is if they do, but like David was the earthly king then, God always was and always will be the true heavenly King.  Verse five adds, And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.  Absalom began to make himself look like he should be the authority over the people.  He basically agreed with their cause no matter what it might be to make them see him as the only one to care and answer their problems.  We need to beware of anyone who professes to be the only one capable of dealing with life's problems, especially if they do so without looking to God for the answers and giving Him the glory.  Verse six continues, And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.  Absalom inserted himself between the people of Israel and David and began to win the hearts of the people, though he was really only concerned with himself and his glory.  Again, we need to beware of those who seek self-glorification above everything else.  They may often promote themselves as serving the people they wish to rule over while really only wanting what will bring them praise and enrich them.