This is Spoken Gospel.

We’re dedicated to seeing 
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s 
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and his gospel.

Let’s jump in.

David failed to protect Tamar—
his daughter and Absalom’s sister.

And for four years Absalom plots revenge and
conspired to overthrow his father.

Even David’s royal counselor
Ahithophel defects to Absalom's side.

Overnight, Absalom rallies his supporters. 

David is forced from Jerusalem and 
makes several strategic decisions.

David refuses to take the ark 
from Jerusalem for his benefit.

He enlists some priests as spies and chooses 
a rendezvous point to share information.

And he also sends Hushai as a double agent to counter
the traitorous and viciously intelligent Ahithophel. 

With David on the run, Ahithophel counselsAbsalom to
sleep with his father’s concubines on the roof of the palace.

It’s a symbol of domination over his father.

But it’s also David’s sin with Bathsheba coming 
full circle, and Nathan’s prophecy coming true.

Immediately, Ahithophel advises Absalom to strike 
fast and hard before David has a chance to regroup.

But David’s double agent manages to 
convince Absalom that it’s wiser to wait.

Hushai immediately sends the spies to relay the news,
giving David the time he needs to regroup and strategize. 

The victory is immediate.

Absalom retreats and accidentally 
hangs himself in a tree.

He is killed by Joab, who first offers pieces 
of silver to another man to do the deed.

Despite Absalom’s treachery, David grieves
over the loss of his son

until his responsibilities as commander-
in-chief force him into action once again.

David enters back into Jerusalem and makes
several strategic decisions concerning his kingdom.

And he also learns that Absalom’s rebellion stirred up
an old feud between Northern Israel and Southern Judah.

As with Absalom, a new rebellion rallies 
overnight, led by a man named Sheba.

He doesn’t want David’s throne, but to 
divide the kingdom David has unified.

Joab corners Sheba in a town called Abel.

And just as David’s first conflict with 
Absalom was resolved by a wise woman,  

it’s the words of another wise woman 
that finally ends Absalom’s rebellion.

[music]

In his Gospel, the apostle Matthew is careful to describe 
Judas’ betrayal of Jesus like Absalom’s betrayal of David. 

Both Absalom and Judas betray their king with
a kiss, hang themselves, and are buried in pits.

And pieces of silver are crucial parts 
of both Absalom and Judas’ deaths.

A bystander refuses to lay hands on Absalom, the king’s
son, for even a 1,000 pieces of silver offered by Joab. 

But Judas prices his loyalty to 
David’s greatest son for only 30.

Matthew understands Jesus as the truest and final
King David. Like David, Jesus is God’s anointed 
king, betrayed by those closest to him.

And all of us have put a price on our loyalty to the King
of the Universe—perhaps not with silver like Judas,

but maybe with the same long-harbored
anger Absalom had towards God.

Most of us believe that if we were 
in charge, we’d do it differently.

And so, we live bitter lives 
according to our sense of justice.

And we earn the title of traitor.

But the good news is that like David,
Jesus wants to take the place of traitorous sons.

And Jesus doesn’t hold Judas’ betrayal against
him or kill him for his treason.

Instead, he allows Judas’ rebellion to win.

Jesus dies like a traitor to Rome, 
so that traitors like Judas can live.

And like the wise woman at the tomb announced to the
disciples, Jesus is risen, our treachery is forever buried.

And in grace, Jesus promises to lift humbled 
rebels to the same thrones they try to steal.

There is only one King who weeps over traitors, dies
for the disloyal, and gives rebels power in his Kingdom.

His name is Jesus.

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to see 
the God who has anointed Jesus as our King.

And may you see King Jesus as a merciful 
King who died so that traitors can live.