Lesson 13
El Roi – The God Who Sees (2 Samuel 14:21; Genesis 16:13)
 “The Lord is your Shield, Glory, and the Lifter of your Head” (Psalm 3:3)
Read 2 Samuel 14:25 – 16:14; Psalm 3 www.bible.com/bible/59/2sa.14.esv

King David’s son Absalom was very handsome; everyone in Israel talked about him. He cut his hair every spring, and his hair weighed over two pounds! Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years but, as agreed after Absalom killed his brother Amnon, did not see his father the king face-to-face. Finally, the king summoned Absalom, who bowed reverently before him, and they were reconciled on David’s part.

But Absalom began riding a chariot with fifty men running in front of him. He sat by the city gate and talked to anyone who came to bring a case before the King of Israel and made friends with everyone who came to see David. Four years later, Absalom secretly left Jerusalem, plotting to overthrow David. Two hundred men accompanied Absalom to Hebron, but they knew nothing about this plot. Absalom’s supporters multiplied, and even David’s advisor Ahithophel was involved.

Someone reported what was going on to David, telling him the whole country was following Absalom. David called to all his servants in Jerusalem and warned them to run for their lives. They all escaped.

David and his men climbed up the Mount of Olives, weeping as they went. David was told his advisor Ahithophel had joined Absalom’s conspirators. The king prayed, “El Roi, the God Who Sees Me, turn Ahithophel’s advice to Absalom into foolishness.”
David asked Hushai, his friend, to go back to Jerusalem as a spy. He was to tell Absalom he was ready to be his servant. David hoped Hushai could be used by God to confuse Ahithophel’s counsel to Absalom.
A man connected with Saul’s family began following David, his soldiers and servants, shouting insults and throwing rocks. He cursed David, telling him God was paying him back for stealing Saul’s kingdom by giving the kingdom to Absalom. He called the king a ruined and pathetic old man. One of David’s soldiers begged to go over and cut this man’s head off for insulting his king.
David replied, “My own son, my flesh and blood, is trying to kill me as we speak. Compared to this, my heckler’s not important enough to bother with. Besides, I’m trusting El Roi, the God Who sees the trouble I’m in today, to exchange his curses for something good.” Even in what looked like the most desperate time of his life, David still trusted God to see him through this terrible time.
Apply God’s Word to your life:
 *Describe Absalom. Do you know anyone similar?
*Give reasons why Absalom turned against his father, King David.