One of the earliest recorded coup d'etats in history took place in Israel during king David's reign. His son Absalom, assessing his father's gentle and God-fearing nature and labelling it weakness, had schemed his way into a position of immense influence in Israel.
He then consolidated this power and made a bold play for the throne.
David's reaction is curious. The mighty David who slew the giant Goliath, and had won countless deadly battles against more bloodthirsty foes, decided to flee.
He refused to take the Ark of the Covenant with him though, (even though the Ark was an unmistakable talisman of power, being the symbolic dwelling of God) and instead told the Levites who had carried the Ark in accompaniment with him to return it to Jerusalem.
He told them "if God wants me to remain king, he'll bring me back".
He was spat on stoned and abused, but he refused to be offended. He knew his power derived from God, and any misfortune he faced was authorized by Him. He focused on penitence for his sins and directed his frustrations solely to God. Many psalms were written by David during David's travails against his son and through it all David kept his heart pure towards God. He was wise enough to know that Nathan's prophesy against him was coming to pass.
In due course Absalom was killed (without David having a hand in it) and David was restored to the throne.
It is his reaction to various chastisements from God that proves David's timeless epithet as "a man after God's heart".
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