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. 

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.

2 Samuel 14:22

2 Samuel 14:22 says, And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.  When David told Joab to send for Absalom, he fell down before David and said that he was certain that he had found grace in David’s sight.  When God grants our call for restoration, which is only possible through accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, then we need to fall before Him in worship.  Verse thirty-three adds, So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.  Joab went to get Absalom and brought him home.  We need to do all that we can to bring sinners to Jesus and home to God if they accept Him as their Savior.  Verse twenty-four continues, And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face.  David said Absalom was to return to his own house and stay out of David's sight, which would imply that David had not totally forgiven him.  We can be certain that when we are called to God through faith in Jesus Christ that we are totally forgiven, and our fellow Christians should forgive us totally as well.  Verse twenty-five states, But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.  The people of Israel praised Absalom for his good looks above all others.  They were more interested in outward appearance than inward goodness.  As Christians, we cannot judge people or even material things by how appealing they may look.  Verse twenty-six adds, And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year’s end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king’s weight.  Evidently, every year Absalom weighed his hair, and it was quiet heavy at three pounds and two ounces according to Matthew Henry.  Whatever the weight, his hair was a source of great pride to Absalom.  We should never become vain about any of our good features.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.  Absalom had three sons and one daughter that he named Tamar, possibly to honor his sister, though we aren't really told this.  Verse twenty-eight states, So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face.  Absalom was in Jerusalem for two years without seeing David face-to-face.  We cannot avoid being in the presence of God, but until we see Him face-to-face through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ we cannot be saved.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.  Absalom sent for Joab twice to have him go to David for him, but Joab wouldn't come.  Joab had made it possible for Absalom to return home, but Matthew Henry says that Absalom had evidently never thanked Joab for what he did.  Though we as followers of Christ should always just do what God leads us to do without any thoughts of reward, we too often become upset if people do not acknowledge what we have done.  Verse thirty declares, Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.  Absalom had his servants set Joab's field of barley on fire since Joab would not come to him.  This tells us a lot about Absalom’s character.  The way we treat those we are upset with tells the world a lot about our character.  Verse thirty-one adds, Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?  This brought Joab to Absalom, to ask him why he had set his field on fire, especially after all that Joab had done for him.  If we have a problem with someone today, it is best to go and talk to them.  Verse thirty-two continues, And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.  Instead of thanking Joab for his being allowed to return home, Absalom said he had sent for Joab twice and he wouldn't come and implied this was the reason he set Joab's field on fire.  He then said that he wanted to send Joab to David to tell him that it would have been better for David to have killed him than for him to return home and not be able to see David face-to-face.  There is still nothing about Absalom repenting for his killing of Amnon.  We cannot expect to see God face-to-face without repenting and having our sins forgiven by accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-three concludes, So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.  Joab gave in to Absalom and went to David with his message.  David then sent for Absalom, who bowed before him, and David restored him.  I don't believe that Absalom was sincere in his humbling himself before David, and if we simply go through the motions of asking forgiveness of God without really putting our faith in Him, we will not be saved.

2 Samuel 14:11

2 Samuel 14:11 says, Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.  The woman then asked David to remember the LORD and not allow those who would avenge the death of her one son to kill her other son who had killed him.  Since this story was made up that wasn't going to happen anyway, but she needed David’s assurance before he checked the situation out.  As stated before, we should never make decisions without knowing all the facts.  David promised her no harm would come to her son.  Verse twelve adds, Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.  The woman then asked David for permission to say one more thing to him, even though he had given her what she supposedly wanted, and he granted granted her permission.  Verse thirteen continues, And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.  She asked David how he could grant her request while his son Absalom was banished.  She said his reasoning was faulty in doing so.  If we are willing to forgive others no matter what they have done, which is the way that God forgives, but will not forgive our own family members for whatever they may have done, then our reasoning is faulty.  Verse fourteen states, For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.  She told David that everyone would die and be like water spilled on the ground but that God did not respect people, or value one over the other and that He made it possible for all the banished to return to Him.  This restoration is still available to all who will accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.  The woman was telling David that if he spared her son and not Absalom that he was showing favoritism to her son, even though he really didn't exist.  We as Christians cannot show favoritism in forgiveness.   Verse fifteen adds, Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.  The woman said she made her request because of fear of what people would do to her son.  Verse sixteen adds, For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.  She added that she made her appeal because she knew David had the power to deliver her.  We can only appeal to God for deliverance from the penalty of sin, because He is the only One Who can give it.  Verse eighteen concludes, Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.  The woman said that God would give David the ability to discern the truth of the situation, and He will still do so today.  Verse eighteen says, Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.  David then told the woman to answer his question truthfully.  All we can ask from people today is that they speak truthfully with us.  Verse nineteen adds, And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:   David asked the woman if Joab was responsible for her coming to him with her story, so it would seem that the Spirit of discernment was with David.  The Holy Spirit will give us the ability to discern the truth if we rely on Him.  The woman admitted that Joab had sent her and told her what to say, even though that could have put her in danger with David.  Even if it may put us in danger, we must always tell the truth.  Even though she hadn't been truthful so far, the woman now told the truth.  Verse twenty continues, To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.  She then said that David had shown wisdom in his answer to her supposed problem and that he needed to apply it to his situation with Absalom.  We cannot apply one standard of forgiveness to one person and a different standard to others.  Like God, we should not show partiality to people.  Verse twenty-one concludes, And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.  David told Joab to go and bring Absalom home.  We need to forgive others if they have harmed us in some way, and do our best to bring them home to God. 

2 Samuel 14:1

2 Samuel 14:1 says, Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.  Joab perceived that David’s heart was toward Absalom, or that he was mourning Absalom’s absence.  Even though Absalom had killed one of David's other sons, David was not seeking his destruction but his restoration.  We as sinners, in order to have a restoration with God are guilty of the necessity of Jesus dying on the cross, but God still seeks our restoration to Him and not our destruction.  Verse two adds, And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:  Joab sought out a wise woman to engage in a bit of role playing. She was to dress as a long time mourner.  Matthew Henry says that Joab was attempting to make himself look good to both David and Absalom and might have also been acting from the knowledge that he himself had killed someone to avenge a wrong.  Still, we can never justify the actions of others because we are guilty of sin ourselves.  Verse three continues, And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.  Joab told the woman to come to David and even then told her what she was to say.  People may engage in plots to deceive Christians today, sometimes even believing it is for our own good, but we should never be a part of such deception.  Verse four states, And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.  The woman fell on her face before David and begged for his help.  She was just playing a part, but she was evidently good at it.  Some people today are just playing a part when thay profess to be Christians, and some are very good at it.  Verse five adds, And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.  When David asked her what was causing her so much grief, she said she was aw widow woman.  We need to remember that widows in that day had very little help from others but were dependent on their family for help.  Verse six continues, And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.  She said she had two sons and that in a fight, one son killed the other.  This was all a story that Joab had made up and it was the same as what Absalom had done to his brother.  I don't believe Joab was concerned about what God might think of his actions, and sometimes today Christians often act without asking for God's guidance.  Verse seven concludes, And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.  The woman then claimed that the whole family had risen against her demanding that she deliver her remaining son so that he could be put to death for killing his brother, which would have left her with no heir nor anyone to care for her.  We should be careful about demanding justice for others while seeking mercy for ourselves.  Verse eight says, And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.  David told her to go home and he would consider her the situation.  He may have wanted time to verify what was happening and this would not be a good thing for her.  We should be wary of people who want us to act without first verifying the situation.  Verse nine adds, And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.  The woman asked David for immediate help and said if things did not turn out to be as she said that she would bear the burden of the iniquity.  Of course, since the whole story was made up, she would already bear the iniquity of the situation, but she could not bear David’s iniquity if he acted wrongly.  Even if they promise to, no one else can ever accept the responsibility for our iniquities, except Jesus Christ Who paid the price for all sins forever.  Of course, we must accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord for His gift of salvation to apply to us.  Verse ten continues, And the king said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.  David then made a decision to grant her wish.  As king, this could set a precedence.  What we do as Christians could be used by the world to either justify or condemn actions whether they are consistent with God's will and law or not.

2 Samuel 13:30

2 Samuel 13:30 says, And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left.  David received a message that Absalom had killed all his brothers.  This was not true, and often the things that we hear today are not true.  It is up to us as Christians to ensure that we are telling the truth and verify the truth of what we hear to the best of our ability.  Verse thirty-one adds, Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.  David began to deeply mourn what he heard had happened without first verifying it and his servants mourned with nim.  We should certainly never lead others into mourning over something that may not be totally true.  Yes, David would likely have still mourned over the death of Amnon, but his despair would not have been as severe.  Verse thirty-two continues, And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.  Jonadab at least brought David the truth, and that is what we need to do as followers of Christ.  Only Amnon had been killed by Absalom and this was done to avenge what Amnon had done to Tamar.  David himself really should have been the one to punish Amnon.  If we as Christians allow sin that we know of to go unpunished, someone else may take action to punish the one who committed the sin.  Verse thirty-three concludes, Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.  Jonadab told David to not be so deeply troubled, because only Amnon was dead.  This was still a reason to mourn, but not a reason to be so desolate.  We should not mourn for things that we hear about that have not happened, but only for those that have.  Verse thirty-four states, But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.  Absalom fled, but the rest of the people returned to David. If someone that we know has committed sin, they may flee from God's presence, but we as Christians must return to Him instead.  Verse thirty-five adds, And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.  Jonadab told David to look and he would see his sons returning to Him.  Through the whole situation with Amnon we never read about David seeking God's guidance in the situation, and if we are encountering a sinful situation today, if we do seek God's guidance immediately, it may lead to even greater problems.  Verse thirty-six continues, And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.  As soon as Jonadab had concluded speaking, all of David's sons, except Absalom and Amnon, came to him and they mourned together for Amnon.  Amnon may have been guilty of something worthy of death, but he was still a son and brother.  We should mourn the death of our our brothers and sisters in Christ today, but we should mourn the death of those who die without God's forgiveness even more and the only way to forgiveness is through accepting Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-seven says, But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.  Absalom went to the king of Talmai the son of the king of Geshur for help.  David mourned for his son, whether this was for Amnon’s death or Absalom’s absence is not clear, though it might have been both.   Verse thirty-eight adds, So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.  Absalom remained in Geshur for three years.  The king of Geshur did not send him back and David did not go to bring him back.  If someone commits a sin today, especially our fellow believers, we should not just ignore their sin, but we should actively seek to return them to a right relationship with God.  Then verse thirty-nine continues, And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.  David longed to restore his relationship with Absalom, and he was comforted with Amnon’s death.  Once a person dies, there is nothing more that we can do for them, so we must go on with life and be more concerned with those still alive than with those who are dead. 

2 Samuel 13:21

2 Samuel 13:21 says, But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.  When David heard about what had happened, he was very wroth, or angry.  If we hear about terrible, sinful things happening today, we should be filledcwith righteous indignation, or anger, and not allow the sin to go unchecked.  We are not told that David took any action though..  Verse twenty-two adds, And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.  Matthew Henry says Abimelech had nothing good nor bad to say about Amnon because he hated him for what he had done to his sister Tamar,  but it seems to me that he quit talking to him.  Amnon had created a lot of anger and hurt in David’s family by his actions, and if we act sinfully as Christians we may cause discord in the church, especially if we don't repent and take responsibility for our actions.  Amnon had basically blamed Tamar for what had happened instead of taking responsibility himself.  We as followers of Christ should never attempt to place responsibility for our sins on someone else.  Verse thirty-three continues, And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.  Two and a half years later, Absalom had sheepshearers at Baalhazar and invited all of David's sons to come.  He had a plan to avenge his sister, and he was in effect involving all of David's sons in it.  We should never attempt to hide sinful plans by involving others even without their knowledge.  I believe that David should have addressed this problem, but since he hadn't, Absalom decided to do things his way.  We should never allow sin to go unaddressed in the church today.  Verse twenty-four states, And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.  Absalom even invited David to go with them.  Maybe he figured this would make it seem less likely that he had a plan to kill Amnon in mind.  Sometimes people may attempt to hide their sinful actions in plain sight.  Verse twenty-five adds, And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.  David said that he wouldn't go.  Matthew Henry says this was because David didn't want to be a part of Absalom spending so much to have a feast.  We can say that we should never encourage others to spend money in what might be a foolish manner.  Verse twenty-six continues, Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?   Absalom asked that since David wasn't going to allow Amnon to go with him, and David asked him why.  He may have been concerned about Absalom’s reason for wanting Amnon there, but as we will see, David allowed him to go.  If we suspect that someone is up to no good, we shouldn't simply question them and then allow them to go ahead with what they plan.  Verse twenty-seven says, But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.  Absalom pressed David to allow Amnon and David’s other brothers to go.  Matthew Henry says that Absalom had hidden his hatred of Amnon so well that David didn't expect him of planning to kill him, but by David’s earlier question of why Absalom wanted Amnon to go, I believe he may have been concerned.  All the brothers went.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.  Absalom commanded his servants to kill Amnon when he was merry with wine, or basically drunk and less likely to be able to defend himself.  Even though they were acting under Absalom’s orders they were also becoming complicit in his actions.  We should never allow someone in power over us to cause us to do anything sinful.  Absalom said he would take responsibility for their actions, but no one else can really take responsibility for our actions.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.  The servants did as Absalom had told them to do, and afterward all of David's other sons fled.  I don't know if this as because they feared they might be next or if they feared that David would think they were all involved.  I personally believe that at this point they should have held Absalom responsible, and we as Christians should hold others responsible for sinful actions instead of just running away from them.