Absalom's rebellion, occurring about a decade after the events involving Bathsheba, provided Ahithophel, now around 80 years old, with the opportunity he had been waiting for to exact revenge on David. Having stewed over the dishonor brought to his family for ten years, Ahithophel sided with Absalom during the rebellion, seeing it as the perfect way to undermine David through his own son. As David fled from Jerusalem over the River Kidron into the wilderness of Judea, Ahithophel advised Absalom to publicly lay with David's ten concubines on the palace roof, a cultural act symbolizing the transfer of power and partly fulfilling a prophecy that David's wives would be taken in the sight of all Israel. Ahithophel further counseled Absalom to pursue David immediately with twelve thousand men, aiming to strike while David was weary and weak, intending to kill only the king and secure the throne for Absalom. This advice was strategically sound, but David, upon learning of Ahithophel's treason, sent his trusted servant Hushai back to Jerusalem to foil Ahithophel's plans. Hushai countered Ahithophel's counsel by instilling fear in Absalom about David's reputation as a mighty man, suggesting instead to gather all of Israel for a larger assault, a stalling tactic that allowed David time to regroup and gather his own army. As a result, Ahithophel's opportunity passed, and when his advice was not followed, he recognized that Absalom would lose and David would regain the throne. At around 80 years old, seeing no way to avenge his family name, Ahithophel returned to his hometown of Giloh, put his household in order, hanged himself, and was buried in his father's tomb. The name Giloh, meaning uncovered or revealed, reflected the outcome, as Ahithophel's vengeful plot was exposed, and he was shown to be the brother of folly in the end.

Ahithophel, once a trusted counselor and friend to King David, harbored deep bitterness after David's grievous sins against his family, particularly involving Bathsheba and Uriah. This resentment festered over twelve years, transforming Ahithophel into a man plotting revenge. He found his opportunity in Absalom, David's son, whom he subtly encouraged toward rebellion. In II Samuel 15:12, during Absalom's rebellion, Absalom summoned Ahithophel from Giloh to publicly align with his cause, indicating a pre-existing conspiracy. Ahithophel likely planted and nurtured the seeds of revolt in Absalom's mind, using his influential words to bolster Absalom's ambitions with compliments and affirmations of his potential as a ruler. David, blindsided by Ahithophel's treachery as reflected in Psalm 55, seemed unaware of the depth of his former friend's bitterness. Their once-close bond, where they walked to God's house side by side as equals, was shattered by Ahithophel's hidden war within his heart. As the rebellion unfolded, Ahithophel advised Absalom to pursue David with 12,000 men, intent on striking only the king to exact his revenge, as seen in II Samuel 17. His bitterness bubbled to the surface, revealing his desire to humiliate and kill David, the man God had placed in authority. However, God inspired Absalom to seek counsel from Hushai the Archite, David's planted companion, who contradicted Ahithophel's advice. Absalom and his followers deemed Hushai's counsel superior, a devastating blow to Ahithophel's schemes. Unable to achieve his vengeance against David, Ahithophel's consuming bitterness led him to take his own life, demonstrating the destructive power of unresolved resentment.

Absalom's rebellion was a profound trial in King David's life, marked by betrayal and conflict within his own family. Upon returning from exile in Egypt, Absalom, one of David's sons, began conspiring to overthrow his father and seize the throne of Israel. After four years of plotting, Absalom moved from Jerusalem to Hebron, establishing his headquarters and assembling an army. He gained the support of important figures and marched on Jerusalem with the intent to capture the capital and kill King David. Faced with this dire threat, David and his loyal followers were forced to flee Jerusalem, crossing the Jordan River in haste. During this escape, David endured further humiliation as Shimei, a distant relative of the late King Saul, insulted him and threw rocks at him and his men, harboring a grudge over Saul's loss of the throne. The rebellion culminated tragically when Joab, David's general, disobeyed David's orders and killed Absalom, ending the immediate threat but deepening David's personal anguish. This episode was yet another in a series of relentless trials for David, a man after God's own heart, who faced unending challenges yet remained faithful to God through each ordeal.

During the rebellion of Absalom, as recounted in II Samuel 15-17, David faced a profound betrayal that forced him into exile. Fleeing Jerusalem over the River Jordan into Moab, David was on the run, not yet having gathered his army or resolved the situation. As he ascended the Mount of Olives, he looked back at the city, grappling with the turmoil of his son's uprising. Absalom had conspired against him, and the defection of Ahithophel, David's trusted counselor renowned for his wisdom, struck a severe blow to his monarchy. Ahithophel's counsel was once considered akin to divine guidance, yet he now advised Absalom, deepening the wound of betrayal. David, in his distress, devised a plan by sending Hushai, a loyal and trusted friend, back to Jerusalem. Hushai was instructed to feign allegiance to Absalom and counter Ahithophel's advice, creating confusion and delaying Absalom's actions. This strategy succeeded as Hushai's contrary counsel caused Absalom to hesitate, allowing David time to escape, gather his troops, and establish a battle plan. With Joab and the army of Israel rallying to David, the rebellion was ultimately overthrown. Ahithophel, foreseeing the inevitable defeat, took his own life, recognizing the consequences of his betrayal. The emotional turmoil David endured during this period is captured in Psalm 55, written while he was in exile. He felt blindsided and deeply hurt, not only by Absalom's rebellion but especially by Ahithophel's betrayal, a man he considered an intimate friend and equal. David's anguish was compounded by the realization that this trusted companion, with whom he shared counsel and spiritual fellowship, had turned against him. Looking back into Jerusalem from afar, David observed division, violence, and sin within the enemy camp, which gave him some comfort and confidence that his adversaries were not as formidable as he initially feared. He saw their iniquity and knew that God would punish such rebellion against His anointed. David's resolution was to call upon God repeatedly, entrusting the situation to Him rather than responding in kind to his betrayers. He prayed consistently, expressing his determination to wait on God for justice, confident that He would sustain him and not permit the righteous to be overthrown. David observed no repentance or fear of God in his enemies, further affirming his belief that their wickedness would lead to their downfall, as seen in the historical outcome of Absalom's death and Ahithophel's demise. Through this trial, David's faith in God's promises and justice provided him the strength to endure betrayal and exile, ultimately leading to his restoration.

Absalom's rebellion exemplifies the destructive nature of political ambition and pride. As the third son of King David, Absalom was not first in line for the throne, yet he coveted power from an early age. His cunning and patience were evident as he waited two years to murder his brother Amnon, who had raped their sister Tamar, thus eliminating a rival. After fleeing to his maternal grandfather, the king of Geshur, for three years, Absalom returned to Israel but was barred from seeing David for another two years. Finally reconciled with his father, he continued to play the long game, spending an additional four years planning and maneuvering for power. Absalom's political tactics were calculated and deceptive. He promised more than David's prosperous and peaceful reign, captivating people with charisma and spectacle. He secretly gathered support, choosing Hebron—about 18 miles south of Jerusalem—as the starting point for his rebellion, a strategic location to meet co-conspirators away from the king's court. With David's permission to go to Hebron, Absalom took 200 unsuspecting men from Jerusalem and sent messengers to the northern tribes, instructing them to declare him king at the sound of trumpets. His conspiracy grew as more people joined him, including David's trusted adviser Ahithophel, whose betrayal deeply wounded the king. David, despite his core military support, chose not to crush the rebellion immediately. Whether due to age, reluctance to lose another son, or a sense of divine punishment, he fled Jerusalem with those loyal to him. Absalom's influence spread outside the capital, swaying many who felt disconnected from David's rule. Yet, David's humility shone through as he sent the priests and the ark back to Jerusalem, accepting God's will. He prayed not for vengeance against Ahithophel but for God to thwart his plans, a prayer answered in time. Ultimately, Absalom's rebellion failed. His forces were defeated, and he met a grim end, caught by his hair in a tree and killed by Joab and others. His body was desecrated and thrown into a pit, a stark contrast to the handsome, charismatic figure who sought to be king. Absalom's story stands as a cautionary tale of vanity and manipulation, highlighting the perils of seeking power through deceit and pride.

In the historical account of leadership choices, Absalom's rebellion stands as a stark example of poor decision-making by the people. David, though aged and likely in his sixties, was the rightful king, yet the people were swayed by the youthful and charismatic Absalom, who captured their hearts by giving them what they desired. Absalom, appearing every inch a king, was not the destined heir; the throne was meant for Solomon. This wrong choice led to dire consequences, erupting into civil war. The rebellion ended with Absalom's death and the suicide of Ahithophel, David's chief counselor. David's heart was broken over the loss of his son, whom he loved deeply. Furthermore, the seeds of national division were sown during this conflict. Even after Absalom's rebellion was quelled, tensions arose between the Judahites and the rest of Israel, foreshadowing further strife. Though David and later Solomon maintained unity during their reigns, the fracture deepened after Solomon's death, illustrating the lasting impact of choosing poorly in matters of leadership.

In the context of exploring the themes of trust and faith in God within Book One of the Psalms, the account of Absalom's rebellion against David serves as a poignant backdrop to Psalm 3, illustrating the depth of despair and the power of faith in dire circumstances. During this rebellion, as recorded in II Samuel 15:13-14, a messenger informed David that the hearts of the men of Israel were with Absalom, prompting David to urge his servants in Jerusalem to flee, fearing sudden disaster and violence upon the city. As David ascended the Mount of Olives, he wept, covered his head, and went barefoot, with all his people similarly mourning as they fled, reflecting the profound grief and loss he experienced. In Psalm 3, David expresses the overwhelming sense of being surrounded by enemies, lamenting how many rose against him and mocked that there was no help for him in God. Yet, he counters this despair with a resolute trust, declaring that the Lord is a shield about him, his glory, and the One who lifts up his head. David recalls crying out to the Lord, confident that He heard him from His holy hill, affirming that true sovereignty rests with God, not Absalom, despite appearances. This trust allows David to lay down and sleep, sustained by the Lord, unafraid of countless adversaries, knowing that salvation belongs to the Lord and that His blessing is upon His people. David's faith transforms his perspective from mourning to hope, recognizing that God has struck down his enemies in the past and will do so again. He sees the rebellion as part of a larger divine plan, ultimately leading to the removal of rebels like Absalom and Ahitophel, thus securing a more stable reign and preparing the way for future blessings. Through this ordeal, David urges a steadfast trust in God, encouraging a forward-looking faith that waits on the Lord to act, confident that He will turn even the darkest situations to the benefit of His people.

In the narrative of David's life, the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba posed significant challenges to his authority, striking at the core of his reign, even from within his own household. His reputation suffered greatly due to his acts of adultery and murder, leading to a profound loss of respect and trust among his people. During these rebellions, the hearts of the men of Israel turned to Absalom, and every man of Israel deserted David, as recorded in II Samuel 15:13 and 20:2. These events likely lingered in David's mind as he assessed his circumstances, possibly fueling a desire to restore his image and reassert his leadership, which may have influenced his decision to conduct a census focused on military strength rather than reliance on God's guidance.