Absalom’s Rebellion Begins: Within these chapters there is an interest in the concept of loyalty: loyalty moving from David to Absalom; the loyalty of Ittai, Zadok, and Abiathar to David; Ahithophel’s disloyalty and Hushai’s apparent disloyalty; Shimei’s loyalty to Saul and the ambiguity of Ziba’s position. Behind this is the conviction that although human loyalties may be unpredictable and unreliable, God’s loyalty can always be trusted.

15:13–23  Although David had had no suspicions concerning Absalom’s treachery, he grasped the implications of the news immediately. Perhaps the opaque way in which David was informed that the people were no longer behind him helped everything to fall into place. In any case, the hearts of the men of Israel were now with Absalom. Absalom, even if he establi…