Gossip | 2 Samuel 15:1–6
2 Samuel 15:1–6
After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” 4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Gossip – casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed to be true. —Dictionary Definition
Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
Leviticus 19:16
You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people;
James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Gossip is distinguished from simply sharing information in two ways:
1. The Make-Up of the Information Shared
Pernicious, Permission, Partial
2. The Motive of the Individual Sharing
The Motivation Behind Gossip
2 Samuel 15:1–6
After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” 4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Deuteronomy 22:15
then the father and mother of the young woman shall take and bring out the evidence of the young woman’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate.
2 Samuel 14:25-26
Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 And when he cut the hair of his head—at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him—when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king’s standard.
1 Peter 4:15
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.”
2 Thessalonians 3:11–12
“For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.”
Proverbs 26:17
“He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.”
2 Samuel 15:3-4
Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” 4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.”
2 Samuel 15:4-6
Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.
Proverbs 18:8
The words of a talebearer are like tastytrifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.
2 Samuel 15:1–6
After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 Samuel 13:28-29
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.” 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each one got on his mule and fled.
The Devastation of Gossip
2 Samuel 15:6
In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 15:10
Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, ‘As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, Absalom reigns in Hebron!’
2 Samuel 15:14
Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart…
2 Samuel 15:31
O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!
2 Samuel 18:9
During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David’s men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great tree, his hair got caught in the tree. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air.
2 Samuel 18:33
Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!”
Gossip Is Devastating
It Destroys the One Who Spreads It.
Proverbs 26:27
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
It Hurts the One Being Gossiped About.
It Hurts the Ones Who Listen to Gossip.
It Hurts Innocent Bystanders.
It Hurts the Heart of God.
John 13:35
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
Protection Against Gossip
A. Protection Against Gossip (For the Teller)
Restrain your tongue
Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
Review your motives
Rightly direct your words
Leviticus 19:16-17
You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. 17 ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
Rely on and rest in God
B. Protection Against Gossip (For the Hearer)
Resist the urge to receive gossip
Request the reason they are sharing
Require ownership
Redirect the conversation
Refuse to engage in gossip
Proverbs 20:19
He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
Proverbs 26:20
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.