Page 96 - Foundations

Absalom Stealing the Hearts of the Men of Israel

II Samuel 15:1-6
Now it came about after this that Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men
as runners before him. And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way to the gate; and it
happened that when any man had a suit to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him
and say, "From what city are you?" And he would say, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of
Israel." Then Absalom would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right, but no man listens to
you on the part of the king." Moreover, Absalom would say, "Oh that one would appoint me judge
in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me, and I would give him
justice." And it happened that when a man came near to prostrate himself before him, he would put
out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. And in this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who
came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.

In the passage from Ezekiel chapter 28 that I cited previously, I included the parenthetical note that
the Hebrew word translated as “trade” also bears the meaning of “slander.”

By the abundance of your trade (slander - Hebrew rakal) you were internally filled with violence, and
you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane from the mountain of God.

The Hebrew word “rakal” means “to go about from one to another for the purpose of trade or
gossip/slander.” The Bible reveals that Satan was able to gather many angels to side with him in the
same way that Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel. The method both Absalom and
Satan used was slander. Absalom gave out an evil and false report of his father David even as Satan
gave out an evil and false report of Yahweh. Additionally, as Absalom’s actions resulted in war, a war
that he lost at the cost of his life, so too do we read that Satan’s actions resulted in war in heaven and
his being cast down to the earth and consumed in fire. Before the final judgment of God is fully
executed upon this rebellious angelic being, Satan will be cast down and imprisoned a total of three
times. Three is a number denoting divine completion.

The first time Satan was cast down and imprisoned was upon his initial rebellion which is recorded