Absalom was running for president. Actually, Absalom wanted to be Israel's king, but it was the equivalent of running for president. This power-hungry son of David had already murdered one brother and presently was secretly plotting to be king. Now, how to gain the support of the people. Listen to his strategy as I read from the record of this ancient event from 2 Samuel 15.

"In the course of time Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him." Absalom begins his campaign by looking presidential.

"He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision Absalom would call out to him, "What town are you from?'" So Absalom's next step is to pretend sympathy for the voters. He tries to convince them that he feels their pain.

"Then Absalom would say to him, 'Look, your claims are valid and proper but there is no representative of the king to hear you." Absalom emphasizes issues and not character.

"And Absalom would add, 'If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that he gets justice.'" Absalom makes grandiose promises in order to gain votes.

"Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him." Absalom is in the right places and does the right things to show how much he cares for people.

"Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel." Goal accomplished. Absalom later wins a victory but only a brief one. His dishonest and deceptive ways finally catch up with him as God promises they always do. Absalom dies a tragic death and the country suffers. They cared about issues, not character.

Outside, Absalom was the most handsome man in Israel, articulate, intelligent, ambitious and popular. Inside he was conniving, dishonest, vain and unspiritual to the core. He had good issues but bad character.

The people didn't care. They preferred Absalom's back scratching over God's blessing. It cost them. And it will cost us if we imitate their folly.

A few weeks ago I watched with fascination and incredulity as a prominent US Senator say without apology or shame, "The American people do not care about character. The economy, their job, pension, Medicaid, and social security check are much more important to them than character."

Recent surveys claim that the majority say that character is not the primary factor to consider in a candidate's capacity to fulfill the responsibilities of office. More important than personal integrity is being sensitive to the issues and understanding what people need. Under those standards Absalom would have made a great king.

I cannot help addressing this issue simply because the Bible speaks volumes to us on this very matter. For those of you who do not like preaching that takes on political issues and that confronts evil in high places, you should be very glad that Isaiah or Jeremiah is not your preacher.

Character counts. This is just plain common sense. Character is a person's ethics or morals. J.C. Watts says that character is what you do when no one is looking. According to that definition, is your spouse's character important to you? Or you child's character? Or their teacher's character or the character of their friends? Then why doesn't the character of our nation's leaders count as well? Did character count when it came to Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, or Adolph Hitler?

Character counts. This is not only common sense. It is scripture.

Character, morals and ethics count when it comes to one's family. Mtt.7:24ff.

Character counts when it comes to individuals. Gal.6:7; 2 Cor. 5:10

And the Bible clearly warns us that character counts when it comes to those politicians who lead us. It is a Biblical and an historical fact that morally strong kings strengthened Israel's moral fibber while immoral kings took the country into moral decline and ruin.

Jereboam; 1 Kings 14:8-10,14-16

Ahab; 1 Kings 21:25,26,20-22

Manasseh; 2 Kings 21:1-6,9-12

The Bible repeatedly warns us how important is the character of our nation's leaders and we better listen or we're gonna face the music! We should be concerned about the personal beliefs and conduct of our leaders. There is a connection between one's morals and private behavior and his ability to lead.

Let your light shine. We are in a great national debate. The next time someone says a leader's character is not what counts, have the courage to stand up for what God says about the matter. Character counts.