ICS Daily Devotions
Ladder Shakers and Ladder Holders
2 Sam 15:2-3 “And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him. See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.”
We need to look at what David went through with others in order to appreciate his mighty men better.
Absalom was under authority, he was a subject to his father, the king, but he undermined the king by swaying the people’s hearts towards himself. He suggested that the king had no time for them or for his duties. But Absalom was just seeking the office for himself. He told the people that he had time for them, that he was their advocate. He was a sweet voice to the people, and apparently devoted to them. When he judged the time to be right, he sent spies throughout Israel to declare that he was the king over Hebron, usurping his father.
This rebellious son swayed the nation of Israel against God’s anointed, King David and pushed him off the throne. The people of Israel and Absalom did not just sin against King David, but against the Almighty God who had a plan and purpose through King David. David was a vision caster, but Absalom was a ladder shaker.
What was the cause of this disaster? Pride. Pride is always at the root of rebellion, the thought that “I can do a better job, so I should be the one with that position.”
Absalom could possibly had been more capable or more intelligent than the King, but it is his attitude and motives were wrong! The real test for any person regarding whether they will submit to God is their ability to submit to the person placed above them. If we cannot even submit to someone that we can see, then it will be impossible to submit to an unseen God.
How much better to be a ladder holder! Josheb, Eleazar, and Shammah were already with King David when King Saul was hunting him for those ten years in the desert. They served him despite the fact that David wasn’t even the King. Why? They recognized the call! These were true friends and fellow comrades-in-arms. Normally, people abandon you or give you attitude when you are in the valleys of your life, but they stuck with him, both when he was pursued by King Saul and when King David was aged and feeble.
Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains, killed eight hundred men at one time. He was incredibly powerful on the battlefield! Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, fought until his hand was weary and his sword was stuck to his hand. Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite stationed himself in the middle of a field, defended it, and killed his enemies, the Philistines. These were powerful and capable men! They were leaders in their own rights, full of valor. Yet, unlike Absalom, they kept their attitudes in check. These three men had every opportunity to revolt against King David and take over the Kingdom from him, but they didn’t. They had to choose either to follow David or strike it out on their own, and they chose to be true to King David.
In this era where everyone is self-seeking, it is important for us to learn to be loyal and faithful to the cause and the person that God has placed us under. Good ladder holders are people who recognize authority, who are team players, faithful, and loyal, regardless of the task and responsibilities given to them. The church needs many faithful ladder holders in order for the vision to be fulfilled. If you have the giftings and qualities to hold a major position of authority within the church or your corporation, praise God! But do not seek to sit beside the leader on the left or right because Christianity emphasizes servant leadership.
God uses people who are faithful with the little things. He uses people who are not in a hurry to prove to others their abilities and achievements. He uses people who are willing to lay down their personal rights and agendas because the mission is greater than their own lives. These are qualities that every organization in the church and that every corporation is looking for. It’s not simply expertise that matters, but also the right attitude. A leader can develop the skills of his followers, but can only treasure the valuable gift of loyalty that a faithful ladder holder chooses to give.
Sermon Series: King David’s Men
