When Listening Becomes a Lever

Reading: 2 Samuel 15

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 15:6 — “Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

There’s a subtle danger in how we handle the concerns of others. Here in PNG, I’ve noticed a pattern—someone shares a frustration, and their friend responds, “You’ve really got a strong case… it’s too bad leadership won’t hear you.” It sounds eerily familiar to Absalom’s words at the city gate.

Absalom had a case. He had been wronged. His sister Tamar was violated, and justice was delayed. He killed Amnon, fled, and spent five years in exile—three in banishment, two ignored by his father. He had reason to be bitter. But instead of seeking reconciliation, he positioned himself as the alternative to leadership. He listened, affirmed, and subtly undermined. And eventually, he incited a rebellion.

Scripture Insight:

Absalom’s strategy was relational. He got up early, met people where they were, and made them feel heard. But his listening wasn’t restorative—it was divisive. “He stole the hearts of the people” (v.6), and soon after, declared himself king (v.10).

David, too, had failed. After Bathsheba, his leadership faltered. He didn’t pursue justice for Tamar, nor did he fully reconcile with Absalom. The breakdown was mutual.

This passage raises hard questions:

• Do our people feel unheard?
• Are we unintentionally fueling division by how we listen?
• Are we taking up others’ cases without pointing them toward healing?

Listening is a powerful relational skill—but it must be paired with wisdom, humility, and a commitment to unity. Otherwise, it becomes a lever for rebellion.

Application:

• Listen well—but don’t affirm bitterness.
• Point people toward reconciliation, not resentment.
• Reflect: Am I helping others feel heard, or helping them divide?
• Guard your heart from becoming a judge in someone else’s conflict.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to listen with wisdom. Help me discern when empathy becomes enabling, and when advocacy becomes opposition. Make me a peacemaker, not a divider.

Reflection Questions:

• Who are you listening to right now? Are you helping them move toward healing?
• Have you taken up someone else’s case in a way that undermines leadership?
• What does healthy, redemptive listening look like in your role?