LIFE’s circles continued to spin and time quickly rolled past. Sunrises and sunsets every day soon counted up to so many days. New moons until each full moon also numbered many months.
Time passed on so fast and it was four years already. In four years, Absalom had won the heart of Israel from the gates of Jerusalem. His fame had spread far and wide throughout the whole kingdom.
But fame was never the Third One’s goal. And the support he’d garnered over four years was only a means to an end.
Yes, the young man wasn’t merely chasing after a big name. Nor was he simply wanting a crowd of cheerers for fun.
No, Prince S’alom was chasing just one goal. Or better still, two.
And it was the great throne that his father sat on. Well, with the head of that father who wouldn’t let him rule.
‘After all,’ he talked to himself one night, ‘I have successfully taken out Amnon, the First Heir.
‘And the next in line to David is a settled case. Chileab my half-brother is just a sheepish clown nobody gets worried over!
‘Second son to David by Abigail the widow of Nabal. But definitely not a rival in this battle of the heirs!
‘So, now that the First Prince is out of the way, it is Absalom and David alone... until one of us gives way! It is a fight to a bloody finish!’
Thus, after four years of gathering support for himself at the city gate, the Third Son went back to his thought chamber and climbed up the next step in the masterplan.
Now, the enemy that S’alom wanted out was also his good example in this grand scheme of things.
The Third One believed that he’d been following his father’s footsteps in ascending the throne. Well, that was what the young chap wanted to believe.
But David hadn’t lobbied for that great seat over all Israel.
For even when as a teenager he was anointed to be king in the place of a fallen Saul, David had waited until he was thirty to ascend the throne.
He waited until the God of Israel Himself disposed Saul through death, and made him reign as king instead.
First, as king in Hebron over his own little tribe Judah, as God directed him.
And then, as king in Jerusalem over the entire kingdom, when he was called on to be a better king where his master Saul had failed.
And it was the same seat of power and responsibility now. It was that Flaming Throne S’alom would rather lobby for.
So then, as the prince already realized two of his listed requirements for success – that is, campaign funds and a large flock of supporters; then he went on to a next asset.
There in his guest chamber, he thought about it one night as he paced about.
Father loves and worships the God of Israel so well. And this is why the people trust him to lead Israel. This is why the priests also support him.
Now, all I need do is to show our nation I can also worship the God of our fathers. And then it’ll be easy to take the throne without anyone faulting me.
He stopped in his steps and mused in whispers.
‘But Father didn’t take over King Saul’s place from here in Jerusalem. No, he was first crowned in Hebron, in the region of Judah.
‘And it was from Hebron again that he was announced king over the whole land.’
He jolted up from that thought with a start. ‘Ha! What better fort can I find now than within the walls of Hebron?
‘What greater place can hide Absalom in order to announce his coming reign?’
He finished with a promising glee.
‘Oh, already I can hear the calls from here! Greatness definitely calls, oh boy!
‘For now Absalom must surely ride down to Hebron, where kings are born. And then return crowned over the whole land!’
Then he had a loud, hearty laugh. So much the sleepers in his house jolted up from bed.
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