2 Samuel 15:7

 2 Samuel 15:7 says, And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.  Matthew Henry says the forty years does not give a reference date as to when this began, but he believed it was forty years after the people of Israel demanded a king.  We do know that Absalom had been plotting his rebellion for some time.  Sometimes, those who would destroy God's people may have been plotting to do so for years, and we may never know when they began to do so.  Absalom was now ready to put his plan in action, so he asked David for permission to go to Hebron.  This was where he was born and where David began his rule.  Verse eight adds, For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.  Absalom then made it sound like he wanted to do this because of a vow that he made to God when he was in exile.  David would be less likely to refuse to allow Absalom to go if he was doing it because of a vow to God.  People today still attempt to use God's word and their obedience to it, even when it goes against what His word really says, to attempt to justify their actions.  Verse nine continues, And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.  David told Absalom to go in peace, or with his blessing.  Many times, David did not seem to be too attuned to what was going on in his family, and we as Christians can become the same way.  We can listen more to what our children are telling us instead of watching their actions.  Verse ten states, But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.  Absalom sent spies throughout Israel to tell the people that as soon as they heard the trumpet, they were to declare him as ruler in Hebron.  We cannot declare those who are plotting against the government or God to be rulers today.  Even if those in power are going against God's commandments, I believe our responsibility is to refuse to obey what they say more than it is to attempt to overthrow the government.  Verse eleven adds, And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.  Absalom had two hundred men who went with him, but they didn't know anything about his plan.  Hopefully, we will never get caught up in some sinful plot today without realizing what is happening.  Verse twelve continues, And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counseller, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.  Absalom then sent for David’s counseller who was in Giloh.  Matthew Henry says that evidently Ahithophel and David had a falling out, so he would have been an ideal candidate to help Absalom.  Even if we do have a disagreement with our fellow Christians, we should never join forces with people of the world who are out to destroy God's rule.