Plotting and Treason

2 Samuel 15:1-12 

    1 After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” 4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
    7 Now it came to pass after forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please, let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the LORD. 8 For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the LORD indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’ ”  9 And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.
    10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’ ” 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything. 12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.

Absalom obviously never forgave his father the king for the banishment and subsequent coldness when allowing him back to Jerusalem.  Though he was the guilty party as avenging murderer of his sister’s attack on his half-brother, he plotted to take over the throne from David as revenge, though he should have been put to death for the murder.  Therefore, he began going out of his way to smear his father as a bad king so they would support his coup to replace David.  This conspiracy of plotted treason grew over time until the time was right, as we shall see in the rest of the chapter.  What we learn from this example is again what not to imitate, but avoid.  We are not to seek vengeance or retaliation for our own sin especially, bit behind accountable and responsible.