How easily the people fell for Absalom’s trickery. “If only I were appointed judge of the land!”
He ingratiated himself to the people. What he said and did sounded good. Sounds like some of our politicians today.

“They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently…” Isn’t that what Satan does? He works in the hearts of men. What he says sounds good and the “innocents” are led astray.

2 Cor 2:11
in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
How can we be aware of Satan’s schemes and not be like the “innocents” who are easily led astray?

When David left Jerusalem for fear of Absalom, he crossed the Kidron Valley and “continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went”.
Suppose David took the same path that Jesus took as he traveled from Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives?