Burunche’s Blog

2 Samuel 18:1 – 13 “Then David reviewed his troops and appointed over them commanders of hundreds and of thousands. He sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the troops, “I will surely march out with you as well.”

But the people pleaded, “You must not go out! For if we have to flee, they will pay no attention to us. Even if half of us die, they will not care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It is better for now if you support us from the city.”

“I will do whatever seems best to you,” the king replied. So, he stood beside the gate, while all the troops marched out by hundreds and by thousands. Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom.

So, David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel in the battle, which took place in the forest of Ephraim. There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men. The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.

Now Absalom was riding on his mule when he met the servants of David, and as the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so that he was suspended in midair. When one of the men saw this, he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”

“You just saw him!” Joab exclaimed. “Why did you not strike him to the ground right there? I would have given you ten shekels of silver and a warrior’s belt!”

The man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels of silver were weighed out into my hands, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For we heard the king command you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake. ’ If I had jeopardized my own life —and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have abandoned me.”

But Joab declared, “I am not going to wait like this with you!” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak tree. And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.

Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab had restrained them. They took Absalom, cast him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home.

During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So, he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.”

Remember Absalom and his incredible hair? Every year Absalom would cut five pounds, 2.3 kg, of hair from his head. In an earlier day and age, a woman’s hair was referred to as her “crowning glory.” Now Absalom’s crowning glory will become his undoing.

Following Hushai’s advice, Absalom heads a huge army to attack David. But as a savvy military commander, David divides his forces into three groups, headed by Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, and then subdivides those forces into groups of thousands and hundreds. No coward, David is prepared to march out with his forces; however, David’s people sensibly point out that he is the main target. Far better for David to remain behind in the city than for him to be captured. This statement by David’s followers indicates their degree of loyalty and proves that David still enjoys strong support in Israel.

The battle takes place in the forest of Ephraim, a mountainous area east of the Jordan River. Parts of this area are still heavily wooded, and the rugged terrain could easily kill careless people fleeing for their lives. This photo shows that area as it is today; however, in ancient times, the woods were probably far denser than they are now. Twenty thousand men die that day, and the forest accounts for more of the deaths than do the soldiers.

As the armies are setting off, David orders the commanders to be gentle with Absalom for David’s sake, but that doesn’t happen. Lacking organized leadership, Absalom’s forces are in retreat all over the countryside. When Absalom meets David’s soldiers, he turns his mule around and attempts to run away; however, that gorgeous hair gets caught in low – lying branches. The mule gallops off, leaving Absalom hanging in the tree by his hair. A foot soldier sensibly reports Absalom’s plight to Joab, who explodes in anger. When this soldier refuses to kill Absalom for fear of reprisals by David, Joab finds Absalom and thrusts three spears through his heart. Ten young men in Joab’s body guard then finish Absalom off. Joab blows his ram’s horn to call off his troops and then buries Absalom in a pit in the forests, raising a large pile of stones over the body. At this point, all the Israelites flee to their homes. Nobody wants to wait to see what David will do now that Absalom is dead.   

Why is Joab willing to kill Absalom, despite David’s orders to the contrary? When David wanted to eliminate Uriah, he ordered Joab to send Uriah to the hottest part of the battle. In effect, Joab was forced to act as David’s executioner. Joab is still smarting at his unwilling part in the death of an outstanding soldier. Earlier, Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner in cold blood as revenge for Abner’s killing of Joab’s brother, Asahel at the Battle of Gibeon. Traditionally, a death in battle would not demand vengeance, and in fact, Abner tried to warn Asahel to stop following him and to leave off the attack. Joab has a grudge against David, and Joab also recognizes that a live Absalom might escape and start rebellion all over again. Given the opportunity, Joab feels secure in ignoring David’s orders and permanently eliminating a threat to the throne. (Perhaps Joab is also angry that Absalom has not invited Joab to head his army, but has chosen Amasa instead.)    

The final comments are very interesting. Despite the fact that Absalom could be a male model and despite the fact that he has had no trouble having sex with ten women in public, Absalom has never fathered a son. In the end, Absalom’s only memorial is a pillar he has raised for himself in the King’s Valley, a sad testimonial to a supremely gifted individual who has wasted his life.

APPLICATION: The story of Absalom is a tangled one, demonstrating how far the Israelites have strayed from the Laws of Moses. In Deuteronomy 17:14 – 20, Moses sets out rules for kingship. Unfortunately, despite David’s relationship with the Lord, he seems unaware of these rules. 14 “When you come to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations that are around me,’ 15 you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. 16 But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ 17 Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. 18 “Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, 20 that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel. The king is not to multiply horses or wives and the king is charged to write a copy of the law for himself to study it all the days of his life “that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.”

Why hasn’t David obeyed these commands of God? There is nothing to indicate that David’s father Jesse was a man of faith. David himself may have been the son of a less favorite wife or even of a concubine; that would certainly explain Jesse’s willingness to send David out to risk his life herding sheep. No, David has not learned about the Lord from his father; David has had personal encounters with the Lord in the wilderness.  Perhaps nobody has ever taught David the Laws of Moses, and he is unaware of these commands. Perhaps David has felt that he is too busy and has depended on the priests to interpret God’s Law for him. Failing to have a personal knowledge of God’s Word, David has patterned his life after that of Saul and other kings around him.

David has done well in refusing to amass a large cavalry; however, he has taken numerous wives and concubines, and he has not made a copy of the Law for himself to study. In polygamous situations, fathering children becomes a form of keeping score, and the only parental guidance the children may receive will likely come from their mothers. Absalom and Tamar’s mother is a princess from Geshur, a kingdom east of the Jordan River in the area of the Golan Heights. According to Wikipedia, the people of Geshur worshiped a moon god in the form of a bull and may also have incorporated Egyptian deities into their religion. David’s polygamy has left his children with confused loyalties and no spiritual foundation.

“But,” you say, “I come from a broken home, and I don’t have any good models for fatherhood. My mother was too busy supporting us to give very much guidance.” All human parents fail at some point; that’s why we need to learn as much as we can about our perfect Heavenly Father. God is the perfect Father, and the more we learn about Him, the more effectively we will be able to parent. God also has instituted motherhood, and God is the One who can guide us so that those of us who are mothers can fulfill our roles successfully. Ask God for help! Ask God for guidance! God will never ignore someone who is sincerely seeking His help. The one thing we must not do is to ignore God’s Word. Failing to study God’s Word and to teach it to our children will leave our children hanging and vulnerable, just like Absalom.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, all of us need guidance as parents and grandparents, as leaders. Speak to our hearts and teach us Your ways, so that those who depend on us will not be left hanging. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Samuel 17:1 – 29 “Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king and bring all the people back to you. When everyone returns except the man you seek, all the people will be at peace.” This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

Then Absalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite as well, and let us hear what he too has to say.”

So Hushai came to Absalom, who told him, “Ahithophel has spoken this proposal. Should we carry it out? If not, what do you say?”

Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.” (Other translations say, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good at this time.”) 

He continued, “You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops. Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first, whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.

Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba—a multitude like the sand by the sea—be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle. Then we will attack David wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. And of all the men with him, not even one will remain.

If he retreats to a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a pebble can be found.”

Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised. Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise, the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”

Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, for they dared not be seen entering the city. But a young man did see them and told Absalom. So, the two left quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. Then the man’s wife took a covering and spread it over the mouth of the well and scattered grain over it, so nobody would know a thing.

When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”

“They have crossed over the brook,” she replied. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem. After the men had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed up out of the well and went to inform King David, saying, “Get up and cross over the river at once, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”

So, David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one left who had not crossed the Jordan.

When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So, he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed over the Jordan with all the men of Israel. Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab. So, the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi, son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim. They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

David and his followers are in a desperate situation! In exhaustion and despair, David has camped on the banks of the Jordan River; however, he needs to cross the Jordan and go eastward for a great distance to avoid capture by Absalom and his men. This is Hushai’s finest hour. Ahithophel advises that Absalom should give him (Ahithophel) twelve thousand men so that he can strike down King David. Once David is dead, everyone else will surrender and follow Absalom. (Question: why is Ahithophel so anxious to lead twelve thousand men against David? What has David done to Ahithophel to offend him so badly?) Absalom thinks this is a great idea; however, Hushai is available, so Absalom seeks his opinion as well.

Hushai’s answer is masterful! “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good at this time.” Notice that Hushai doesn’t discount Ahithophel’s advice; he merely suggests that a presumptive attack might result in casualties that would damage Absalom’s reputation and that the attack be postponed until morning. Instead, Hushai uses dramatic language to suggest that Absalom “gather a multitude like the sand of the sea” and that Absalom should lead the troops to “descend (on David) like dew on the ground.” This colorful language inspires Absalom to imagine himself as a conquering warrior destroying his father – a much more appealing picture than allowing Ahithophel to pose as the hero.

Absalom buys Hushai’s idea. As soon as possible, Hushai dispatches messages to the priests, who in turn inform their sons who are staying close to the Jordan. When one of Absalom’s spies sees the messengers, they hide in a dry well and then rush on to inform David. David and all his people cross the Jordan and David goes on to Mahanaim way to the east. There David’s friends meet him with provisions. Meanwhile, Ahithophel realizes that he has made fatal mistakes. Ahithophel has joined himself to Absalom and has offered to personally kill David, but Absalom has ignored Ahithophel’s advice. Ahithophel realizes that he is now a man without a king, let alone a country. No matter who wins the battle, Absalom or David, there is nothing left for Ahithophel. Ahithophel returns home and commits suicide, preferring that to eventual torture and an ignominious death.

APPLICATION: This part of the story reads like a spy thriller. Hushai acts as a counter – spy, deliberately giving good but not great advice that appeals to Absalom’s sense of the dramatic. Ahithophel might succeed were he to suggest that Absalom lead twelve thousand men to hunt down David and kill him, but Ahithophel wants to take part in the action. Clearly, at some point, David has severely offended Ahithophel and he is out for revenge.

One part of the story that continues to echo is Hushai’s statement that Ahithophel’s advice is good but NOT AT THIS TIME. Actually, Ahithophel’s idea is a sound one and would likely result in David’s death and the defection of his people to Absalom. Absalom’s willingness to procrastinate will eventually prove his undoing.

Although it is good for us to consider our actions, at a certain point, procrastination is of the devil. You can waste so much time mulling things over that you will lose opportunities. In this case, Absalom loses the opportunity to kill David and end things quickly. Absalom also makes another mistake; he is far more interested in getting credit for defeating David than he is in taking quick action. One wonders why Absalom doesn’t modify Ahithophel’s idea and head twelve thousand soldiers himself. On the other hand, Absalom probably has no experience in warfare. There haven’t been any wars around Israel for several years. This lack of experience might contribute to Absalom’s delay in taking action. Absalom is much more of a talker than he is a fighter. The Texans would say that Absalom is “all hat and no cattle.”

Why does God wish to destroy Absalom? In Absalom’s lust for power, he has rebelled against God’s anointed. If God has refused to destroy David over the affair with Bathsheba and Uriah, Absalom has no business doing so. When David had the opportunity to kill Saul, he refused, stating that he would not lift his hand against God’s anointed; however, Absalom has no such qualms. Absalom has failed to realize that unless God anoints him, there is no way that he is going to become king. Again, we must wonder if David has shared any of his faith with his children. Absalom’s willingness to rape his father’s concubines in public would indicate that he had no respect for God whatsoever. It’s even possible that Absalom has been following the Ashtoreths or some other fertility cult as a form of rebellion against his father. Absalom is one of those guys who looks great at a distance but whose character is repugnant once you really get to know him.

In the end, it comes down to the question of which individual will really do God’s will. Absalom is a weak character while David, although flawed, willingly receives correction. David will emerge from this ordeal stronger and more purified than he was before.

Hebrews 12:5 – 6 says, ““My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” God loves David and is disciplining him. God also loves Absalom; however, Absalom has turned completely away from God and is headed for destruction. When we find ourselves in difficult situations, may we turn to the Lord and ask Him to teach us everything He wants. The faster we learn, the sooner our trials will finish.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. Help us to recognize that trials will make us stronger and will purify us, so that we don’t simply sit in a puddle of self – pity, refusing to budge. Thank You that no trial lasts forever. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.     

2 Samuel 16:1 – 23 “When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.

“Why do you have these?” asked the king.

Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

“Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king.

And Ziba answered, “Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he has said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather.’”

So, the king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!”

“I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!”

As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left.

And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!”

Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!”

But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’” Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so. Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.”

So, David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David. Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived, (at the Jordan) exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

“Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?”

“Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by the people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain. Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also, I will serve in yours.”

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he left to keep the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”

So, they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.”

Remember Ziba, Saul’s servant, who had quietly annexed much of Saul’s possessions and land? Ziba was anything but happy when David ordered him to serve Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son. Now Ziba’s opportunity has arrived. Ziba meets David with donkeys with bread, raisins, fruits, and wine and lies to David that Mephibosheth has remained in Jerusalem in hopes of getting back everything belonging to Saul’s family. (Later we will learn that Ziba is lying; this guy is a survivor and a manipulator.) David impulsively shifts all Mephibosheth’s possessions to Ziba, giving Ziba exactly what he has hoped for. This move is short – sighted; however, David is stressed and exasperated, not a good combination for making decisions.

Next, Shimei, one of Saul’s relatives, sees David and his followers as they are passing and hurls curses on them. Shimei particularly curses David because he is a “man of bloodshed,” totally ignoring the fact that Saul spent most of his life fighting and that God was the One who chose David to be king. When Abishai, one of David’s body guards, wants to kill Shimei, David stops him, feeling that perhaps God has sent Shimei to curse him. At this point, David leaves Shimei for God to deal with.

Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem, Hushai, David’s counselor, is joining himself to Absalom’s court. Notice Hushai’s explanation. ““Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by the people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain. Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also, I will serve in yours.” Of course, Absalom is absolutely certain that God has chosen him; after all, hasn’t his father deserted Jerusalem? Isn’t David’s flight into exile a sign of God’s favor? Absalom may have a pretty face, but his intellect and his spiritual discernment are only a few millimeters deep. Hushai remains loyal to David, and it is David who has been chosen by the Lord. Notice Hushai doesn’t mention WHOM he is serving, only that he will serve in Absalom’s presence. Hushai would have made an excellent lawyer!

Ahithophel advises Absalom to have sex with the ten concubines David has left behind to keep the palace. This horrible act is designed to encourage those who are supporting Absalom by demonstrating Absalom’s power and prowess. Although Ahithophel may not realize it, his advice fulfills the prophecy brought by Nathan when David stole Bathsheba from Uriah. What Ahithophel fails to realize is that this advice will mark the last time that Absalom will listen to him.

APPLICATION: While fleeing Jerusalem, David is swayed by Ziba’s manipulations. Later on, we will learn that Mephibosheth has tried to reach David, but has been prevented by his lameness. David’s misplaced trust in Ziba is understandable; at present, David feels that everyone is against him, so any sign of help is welcome. This part of the story must serve as a caution to embattled leaders. Not everyone who offers assistance is a friend; many times, such people may be acting in the spirit of Ziba to see what they can get.

Why is Shimei cursing David? Despite the fact of David’s being anointed, there are many of Saul’s family members who have viewed David as an opportunist, conveniently forgetting that David has not ascended to the kingship until Saul’s death. Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin, and many Benjamites have evidently been blaming David for their failure to succeed. Shimei is undoubtedly one of these people. Centuries later, Shakespeare would write, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in the stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” (Julius Caesar, Act I, Scene III, L. 140-141) But the Benjamites have chosen to blame David.

By speaking judiciously, Hushai manages to join himself to Absalom’s court. Hushai is a brave man, because Absalom is young, ambitious, and easily swayed. If Ahithophel says the wrong thing to Absalom, Hushai might be killed very quickly; however, Absalom’s ego is in an ever – expanding gaseous state. Why shouldn’t both of his father’s counselors join him? God must be smiling on Absalom!

The advice Ahithophel gives may disgust us, but such acts are common practice among conquering kings of this time. One can’t help feeling sorry for the concubines; after all, they have no choice in the matter. In effect, Absalom rapes the concubines publicly, showing off his genitalia in the process. This act of domination is an eerie reminder of the fertility rites practiced by surrounding tribes; certainly, this is not an act of worship of the One True Living God. Has Absalom ever truly believed in God? For that matter, which god does Ahithophel worship? If David has spent his time making war and neglecting to teach his family, Absalom may very well worship one of the fertility deities to begin with. 

At this point, it looks grim for David; in fact, the lives of David and his followers hang in a precarious balance. But the prophecies of God’s punishment of David have been completely fulfilled. David has repented; God has punished. It is time for things to change.

Never in the history of the world has there been a totally virtuous leader or head of an organization, apart from Jesus Christ himself. Even Moses, who spoke with God face to face, lost his temper and with it the opportunity to physically enter the Promised Land. But God is just, and once a leader has repented and has lived through the consequences of his or her failures, God can begin restoration. Perhaps you identify with David at this point. Those under you have rebelled, leaving you searching your mind and heart to know whether you should continue or simply accept events and resign. Hold on! Don’t give up! People have given their opinions; however, you have yet to hear from God. And praise God! He always has the last word!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, there are many leaders who are struggling and who need Your guidance. Help these people to reach out to You, trusting that You will bring them through their challenges into the futures You want for them. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Samuel 15:13 – 37 “Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

The king’s servants replied, “Whatever our lord the king decides, we are your servants.”

Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace.

So, the king set out with all the people following him. He stopped at the last house, and all his servants marched past him—all the Cherethites and Pelethites, and six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath.

Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.”

But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!”

“March on then,” said David to Ittai. So Ittai the Gittite marched past with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.

Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly as all the people passed by. And as the king crossed the Kidron Valley, all the people also passed toward the way of the wilderness.

Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until the people had passed out of the city.

Then the king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and let me see both it and His dwelling place again. But if He should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am; let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him.”

The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace—you with your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar with his son Jonathan. See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”

So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.

But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.

Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.”

So, David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

When David came to the summit, where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.

David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me. But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’

Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report to them everything you hear from the king’s palace. Indeed, their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with everything you hear.”

So, David’s friend Hushai arrived in Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.”

This is the day when God’s prophecies given through Nathan are coming true, and it is even worse than David has anticipated. David gets word that Absalom is about to enter Jerusalem, evidently from the west, so David and his household, including his body guard that has followed him from Gath and their families, flee eastward across the Kidron Valley and up the Mount of Olives. The Gittites are citizens of Gath who have allied themselves with David and the Israelites, worshiping the God of Israel rather than Dagon. Evidently, David used to offer sacrifices on the Mount of Olives before setting up the tabernacle in Jerusalem and bringing the ark back to occupy it.

Despite the fact that Absalom has done everything he can to cement his position with the Israelites, David is still immensely popular. David’s entire household follows him, as do the Gittites and the Cherethites and Pelethites. (The Cherethites and Pelethites may be additional Philistines who are also following David. Some sources suggest that they are mercenaries; however, they are extremely loyal.) Everyone in the countryside is weeping as David passes, proving that Absalom may have deceived some influential people, but that the hearts of the common citizens are still with David. Even Ittai, a Gittite from Gath who has only been with David a single day, insists on accompanying David, a tribute to David’s ability to engender loyalty.

The priests and Levites led by Zadok bring the Ark of the Covenant and Abiathar, Zadok’s son, makes offerings as David’s followers are passing. David encourages Zadok and the others to return to Jerusalem but to send word to him “at the fords of the wilderness,” presumably, the fords of the Jordan River. David’s affirmation of faith as he sends Zadok back to Jerusalem is remarkable. “If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and let me see both it and His dwelling place again. But if He should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am; let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him.” David recognizes that his punishment is from the Lord and that only God can restore him. David is laying himself and his kingship on a spiritual altar for the Lord to deal with as He wills.

Who is Hushai the Archite? Evidently, Hushai is a wise older man who has been counseling David, possibly after Ahithophel’s defection to Absalom. David’s statement that if Hushai accompanies David’s band of exiles, he will simply be a burden might refer to Hushai’s age and his physical status. David realizes that the brilliant Ahithophel has already switched loyalties to Absalom; if Hushai also joins Absalom, Absalom will merely take it as additional proof of his popularity. David needs someone who can “thwart the counsel of Ahithophel,” and Hushai is the ideal person. David might be heart – broken and grieving, but he is still a savvy military commander.

APPLICATION: David flees Jerusalem because he does not want a blood bath to engulf Jerusalem. Despite the incident with Uriah and Bathsheba, David still inspires enormous confidence and loyalty in people. If you run the numbers, there may have been as many as 1,000 people following David out of Jerusalem, and David waits at the last house on the edge of town to be sure that everyone makes it out safely. Now David and his people must escape to the wilderness beyond the Jordan and wait for word from Jerusalem. Fortunately, David is intimately familiar with local hiding places from the years when Saul was pursuing him.

It is while David and his people are on the run that David composes the 63^rd Psalm.

¹You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

² I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
³ Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
⁴ I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands.
⁵ I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

⁶ On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
⁷ Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

⁹ Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.
¹⁰ They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.

¹¹ But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

David abjectly repented following the seizure of Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, and now David is re – affirming his reliance on God. David knows that if the armies of Israel are truly with Absalom, his followers will be defeated in any kind of battle. This moment might be the darkest that David has ever faced; however, he is reminding himself of the goodness and the protection God has given him in the past. Even though David has committed horrible sin, it is this glistening faith that continues to endear him to God.

What can we learn from this part of David’s story? Despite David’s own anxieties, he continues to care for his people. Rather than fleeing at the head of the column, David remains at the edge of Jerusalem until the last member of his cavalcade has passed. David cares about the Ark, the symbol of the Lord God of Israel. Refusing to haul the Ark around, David insists that it be returned to Jerusalem where it will be safe. David recognizes the justice of Absalom’s rebellion and refuses to complain about it, concentrating on dealing with the logistics problems instead. Finally, David commits himself to God, realizing that only God can deliver him. You may face crises in leadership through no fault of your own. If and when those stresses come, remember David’s example.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, there are many who face challenges in their organizations. Be with them and guide them. Help them to realize that You are the Source of all hope and that only You can sort things out. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

 2 Samuel 15:1 – 13 “Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him. He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate.

Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.”

And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.”

Also, when anyone approached to bow down to him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him. Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD. For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: ‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’”

“Go in peace,” said the king. So, Absalom got up and went to Hebron.

Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’”

Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and they went along innocently, for they knew nothing about the matter. While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So, the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.”

When David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed, God warned David, “Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.” (2 Samuel 12:11 – 12) For David, the day of reckoning is fast approaching.

While David might have promised Bathsheba that her son would reign after him, it was common for princes to try to seize a throne by force. When David’s oldest son, Amnon, who might potentially have succeeded him as king, raped his half – sister Tamar, Tamar’s brother Absalom used this as an excuse to kill Amnon, getting him out of the way. David’s sin with Bathsheba shook all of Israel, leaving David’s followers and his subjects wondering just how far they could really trust him. After all, Uriah the Hittite was one of David’s outstanding warriors. If David was willing to have such a man eliminated, who might be next? By this point, David must be sixty years old or more; definitely, he was no longer the boy wonder who had captured the imagination of all of Israel. Now Absalom was about to make his bid for the throne.

In a place where most people were not using chariots, Absalom got himself a chariot with a handsome team and fifty men to run ahead of him, informing everyone that Absalom was approaching. These men may have been dressed in special livery that marked them as Absalom’s men. Each morning, Absalom would grandly pull up to the road just outside the city gate that led to the palace and would station himself where he could meet all passers – by. Intercepting those who were coming to the king with a grievance, Absalom would assure them that their cause was a just one, but that there was a backlog of cases to be handled by the royal court. It was going to take these people a long time to get justice. Wasn’t it a shame that the king did not deputize someone to hear them swiftly, someone like Absalom, for example? And then when petitioners would attempt to bow to Prince Absalom, he would embrace them as if they were his closest friends.  Absalom did this daily for four years, and the Bible tells us, “In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”

Where was King David during these four years? Surely, someone must have carried the news to David as soon as Absalom began his campaign. Was David so sure of himself that he discounted the effect of Absalom’s campaign to undermine him? Perhaps David was trusting in the anointing that God had given him, little remembering that he himself had violated that anointing when he stole Bathsheba and had Uriah murdered. David assumed that the hearts of the Israelites were still with him; however, he was doing nothing to reach out to them while Absalom was doing his utmost to ingratiate himself with the people. If David had been from the American South, the good old boys would have said that “David’s got the big head!” In other words, David had forgotten his humble beginnings and was now trusting in his power as king, forgetting that God had put him there in the first place and it was God who would have to keep him there.

After four years, Absalom judged that the time was ripe for his next move. Absalom got permission from David to go to Hebron to make sacrifices and invited 200 innocent men to accompany him. But Absalom also invited Ahithophel, David’s most trusted counselor, to accompany him to Hebron, and Ahithophel gladly came. Why did Ahithophel join Absalom in Hebron? Surely, Ahithophel must have realized what Absalom was plotting. Did the incident with Bathsheba damage Ahithophel’s confidence in David, or was David ignoring Ahithophel or even worse, refusing to listen to him? At this point, Ahithophel was no longer in Jerusalem, but had returned to his home town, indicating that his advice was not being requested frequently.

APPLICATION: By betraying Uriah’s loyalty, David has cut himself off from the people who have supported him and from his most trusted counselor. Now Absalom has taken advantage of the situation. Things are about to get far worse!

While David is frequently pointed out as a model leader, this part of his career is a model for disaster. The scriptures clearly paint a picture of a man who is now trusting in himself rather than in God and who is blind to the needs and thoughts of those around him. Is it possible that David’s system of justice has broken down or become perverted? If Absalom’s claims have no basis in reality, it’s difficult to imagine that people would continue to believe him.

The lesson for leaders is clear: Stay close to God. Remember where you came from and remain humble. Be aware that there will always be those who want power and are willing to do anything to get it; if you give such people an opportunity, you will be in trouble.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help all in leadership to remain close to You and to seek Your guidance rather than going their own ways. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Samuel 14:1 – 33 “Now Joab son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. So, Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time. Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” And Joab put the words in her mouth.

When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell face down in homage and said, “Help me, O king!”

“What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead. And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. Now the whole clan has risen up against your maidservant and said, ‘Hand over the one who struck down his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of the brother whom he killed. Then we will cut off the air as well!’ So, they would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the earth.”

“Go home,” the king said to the woman, “and I will give orders on your behalf.”

But the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, may any blame be on me and on my father’s house, and may the king and his throne be guiltless.”

“If anyone speaks to you,” said the king, “bring him to me, and he will not trouble you again!”

“Please,” she replied, “may the king invoke the LORD your God to prevent the avenger of blood from increasing the devastation, so that my son may not be destroyed!”

“As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground. “Then the woman said, “Please, may your servant speak a word to my lord the king?”

“Speak,” he replied.

The woman asked, “Why have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? When the king says this, does he not convict himself, since he has not brought back his own banished son? For surely, we will die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.

Now therefore, I have come to present this matter to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. Your servant thought, ‘I will speak to the king. Perhaps he will grant the request of his maidservant. For the king will hear and deliver his maidservant from the hand of the man who would cut off both me and my son from God’s inheritance.’

And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’”

Then the king said to the woman, “I am going to ask you something; do not conceal it from me!”

“Let my lord the king speak,” she replied.

So, the king asked, “Is the hand of Joab behind all this?”

The woman answered, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything that my lord the king says. Yes, your servant Joab is the one who gave me orders; he told your maidservant exactly what to say. Joab your servant has done this to bring about this change of affairs, but my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that happens in the land.”

Then the king said to Joab, “I hereby grant this request. Go, bring back the young man Absalom.” Joab fell face down in homage and blessed the king. “Today,” said Joab, “your servant knows that he has found favor with you, my lord the king, because the king has granted his request.”

So, Joab got up, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. But the king added, “He may return to his house, but he must not see my face.” So, Absalom returned to his own house, but he did not see the king.”

Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw. And when he cut the hair of his head—he shaved it every year because his hair got so heavy—he would weigh it out to be two hundred shekels, (5 pounds, or 2.3 kg) according to the royal standard. Three sons were born to Absalom, and a daughter named Tamar, who was a beautiful woman.

Now Absalom lived in Jerusalem two years without seeing the face of the king. Then he sent for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come. So, Absalom sent the second time, but Joab still would not come.

Then Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire!”

And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.

Then Joab came to Absalom’s house and demanded, “Why did your servants set my field on fire?”

“Look,” said Absalom, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.”

So, Joab went and told the king, and David summoned Absalom, who came to him and bowed face down before him. Then the king kissed Absalom.”

This passage is long but difficult to break up without losing the story. When David ordered Joab to place Uriah in the hottest part of the battle so that Uriah would be killed, he put Joab in a terrible position, fracturing Joab’s loyalty to him in the process. For the sake of the battles David and Joab have fought together, Joab remains somewhat loyal; however, he is beginning to transfer that loyalty over to David’s exiled son Absalom.

Joab arranges for a woman to present herself as if she were a widow with two sons, one of whom killed the other. If the clan were to kill the remaining son, this woman would have no heir and no representation left in Israel, so she is begging the king to spare her son’s life. When David agrees, the woman asks David why he has not brought Absalom back, since the circumstances are similar. David rapidly realizes that Joab has engineered this situation, but he agrees for Absalom to return to Jerusalem. But David feels that there must be some kind of punishment for Absalom having murdered his half – brother Amnon, so David refuses to see Absalom. When Joab refuses to get David to lift this partial ban, Absalom sets Joab’s barley field on fire, getting Joab’s immediate attention! Joab persuades David to reinstate Absalom, and David does so.

Did Absalom deserve reinstatement? No. Absalom murdered Amnon. But the whole situation is a mess. Had David protected Tamar in the first place, nothing would have happened. Perhaps David was feeling guilty for not having paid more attention to Amnon, so when Amnon requested that Tamar come, David granted the request. Obviously, nobody asked Tamar whether or not she agreed, but then, Tamar was only a woman. Once Amnon raped Tamar, David should have punished Amnon in some fashion; however, David did nothing but sit and fume. Had David punished Amnon, perhaps by banishing him from Jerusalem, that might have helped the situation greatly. There is never any indication that David troubled himself to meet Tamar or to comfort Tamar, even though she was his own daughter. Had David behaved like a truly loving father to Tamar, none of this would ever have happened.  

And then there was Absalom’s murder of Amnon. Was Absalom REALLY that upset about Amnon raping Tamar, or did he have other motives? Amnon was the eldest son and therefore, the natural heir to the throne. Amnon’s death would clear the way for Absalom to succeed David.

APPLICATION: David allowed Absalom to return to the palace and reinstated him as a sign of forgiveness. But Absalom had other ideas. God had already promised to spare David’s life; however, He also foretold that someone would drag David’s wives out and rape them publicly. It was Shakespeare who wrote, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” David’s failures as a leader and a father were beginning to bear bitter fruit.

We might look at the mess into which David’s family descended and question how such a man could possibly be considered “a man after God’s own heart.” But the plain fact is that all of us are human and none of us is perfect. Oswald Chambers describes us well when he says that we generally have “spiritual measles.” The meditation for June 12^th from My Utmost for His Highest says this: “God writes our new name only on those places in our lives where He has erased our pride, self-sufficiency, and self-interest. Some of us have our new name written only in certain spots, like spiritual measles. And in those areas of our lives, we look all right. When we are in our best spiritual mood, you would think we were the highest quality saints. But don’t dare look at us when we are not in that mood. A true disciple is one who has his new name written all over him— self-interest, pride, and self-sufficiency have been completely erased.”

David did a lot of things wrong; however, he repented and he truly worshiped God. Only God knows how much of David had his new name written on him by the time David died. One lesson to learn from David’s story is to guard your heart! David was anointed by God to be king and was given all kinds of success in battle. David became a very wealthy man, fathering a number of children. But David did not guard his heart, and that became his downfall. What happened to David can happen to any of us. Guard your heart!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to guard our hearts! If someone as close to you as David was can fall, so can we. Help us to follow hard after you all the days of our lives. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Samuel 13:23 – 39 “Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, he invited all the king’s sons. And he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired shearers. Will the king and his servants please come with me?”

“No, my son,” the king replied, “we should not all go, or we would be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he was not willing to go, but gave him his blessing.

“If not,” said Absalom, “please let my brother Amnon go with us.”

“Why should he go with you?” the king asked.

But Absalom urged him, so he sent Amnon and the rest of the king’s sons. (Some sources add that Absalom prepared a feast fit for a king.)  

Now Absalom had ordered his young men, “Watch Amnon until his heart is merry with wine, and when I order you to strike Amnon down, you are to kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant!”

So Absalom’s young men did to Amnon just as Absalom had ordered. Then all the rest of the king’s sons got up, and each one fled on his mule. While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons; not one of them is left!”

Then the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. But Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, spoke up: “My lord must not think they have killed all the sons of the king, for only Amnon is dead. In fact, Absalom has planned this since the day Amnon violated his sister Tamar. So now, my lord the king, do not take to heart the report that all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead.”

Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. When the young man standing watch looked up, he saw many people coming down the road west of him, along the side of the hill. (And the watchman went and reported to the king, “I see men coming from the direction of Horonaim, along the side of the hill.”)

So Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the king’s sons have arrived! It is just as your servant said.”

And as he finished speaking, the king’s sons came in, wailing loudly. Then the king and all his servants also wept very bitterly.

Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. (Geshur was a kingdom east of the Jordan River and Absalom’s mother was a Geshurite princess.) But David mourned for his son every day.

After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years. And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he had been consoled over Amnon’s death.”

It sounds like a Bollywood soap opera! Ever since David’s son Amnon raped his half – sister Tamar and then rejected her, Tamar’s brother Absalom has been scheming to get revenge. If David had punished Amnon for violating Tamar, Absalom might have been satisfied; however, some sources indicate that Amnon was David’s first – born son, and David loved him so he refused to punish him. Besides, everybody knew that David had sent for Bathsheba in the middle of the night and had then forced her to have sex with him. Everybody also knew that David had then arranged for Bathsheba’s loyal husband to be killed in battle. At this point, even if David attempted to discipline Amnon, Amnon could have thrown David’s own misdeeds back in his face. David has no moral ground on which he can stand to discipline anybody at this point.

Absalom is shearing sheep and as tradition demands, he arranges for a feast and invites his father and the entire family. David sensibly replies that the entire court would be too much of a burden. Next, Absalom urges the king to send Amnon and his brothers and half – brothers. The predictable happens: Absalom gets Amnon drunk and then has him murdered. David’s other sons take off for Jerusalem. Meanwhile, somebody tells David that all his sons have been murdered. David is distraught, tears his clothes, and falls down on the ground in despair. But then Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, speaks up, saying that only Amnon is dead and that Absalom has been planning this ever since Amnon raped Tamar.

Hmmmmm! Where have we heard of Jonadab before? Jonadab was the same dude who gave bad advice to Amnon in the first place! Allegedly, Jonadab and Amnon were great buddies. When Amnon was lusting after Tamar, Jonadab was the one who suggested that Amnon fake illness and then beg David to send Tamar to fix food for him. Obviously, Jonadab knew what Amnon was going to do to Tamar. Now Jonadab is virtuously informing David that Absalom has been planning revenge ever since the rape took place. Jonadab is the very model of a politician, of whom it might be said that you know when he is lying and manipulating; his lips are moving. Jonadab is David’s nephew, and there may be some strong residual resentment among David’s brothers that God did not choose one of them to become king after Saul. Certainly, Jonadab has attached himself to the court and is now doing anything he can to maintain a sphere of malignant influence.

APPLICATION: What a mess! The prophet Nathan told David that the sword would never depart from his house and that God would raise up adversity against David from his own house. Now that prophecy has begun to manifest, and this is only the beginning. Things are about to get much worse for David’s household. When did Jonadab gain entry into the court? It’s possible that as long as David remained righteous and virtuous, Jonadab couldn’t gain entry because he felt the holiness of God in the court. But once David sinned with Bathsheba, that protective holiness was no longer there, and Jonadab slithered in to work his mischief.

Actions have consequences. Even when we repent, our actions will still affect all those around us, and the results will be horrific. David has ignored his responsibilities as a father and as a leader and has yielded to lust, abusing his royal power. Now David’s family is suffering. As I am writing this, the ministry of an internationally – known megachurch is unraveling. Nobody can tell what the final toll will be from the Hillsong Church scandals; however, the New King James translation for 2 Samuel 12:14 seems to apply. “However, because of this deed, you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” Other translations say, “you have shown utter contempt for the word of the Lord;” however, that translation fails to indicate the spiritual and emotional tsunamis that evil deeds naturally generate.    

There are many lessons for all of us in this story, but the chief one is this: You cannot sin in a vacuum. Your sins have consequences, not only for you but for all around you. There are moral absolutes, and when you violate those, things will fall apart, not only for you, but for your family and for those around you. May God help us to keep our eyes always on Him, so that we do not follow David’s example!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, every one of us can easily fall into the same traps that caught David. Help us to always look to You for guidance and not to be swayed by our own emotions or lusts. Help us to remember that our friends, our family members, and those we work with are watching us, and that our actions may sway them in a right or wrong direction. We pray in the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

2 Samuel 13:1 – 22 “After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom. Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her.

Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man, so he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?”

Amnon replied, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”

Jonadab told him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend you are ill. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare it in my sight so I may watch her and eat it from her hand.’”

So Amnon lay down and feigned illness. When the king came to see him, Amnon said, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my sight, so that I may eat from her hand.”

Then David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Please go to the house of Amnon your brother and prepare a meal for him.”

So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked them. Then she brought the pan and set it down before him, but he refused to eat. “Send everyone away!” said Amnon. And everyone went out.

Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, so that I may eat it from your hand.”

Tamar took the cakes she had made and went to her brother Amnon’s bedroom. And when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said, “Come, lie with me, my sister!”

“No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not humiliate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! Where could I ever take my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” But Amnon refused to listen to her, and being stronger, he violated her and lay with her.

Then Amnon hated Tamar with such intensity that his hatred was greater than the love he previously had. “Get up!” he said to her. “Be gone!”

“No,” she replied, “sending me away is worse than this great wrong you have already done to me!”

But he refused to listen to her. Instead, he called to his attendant and said, “Throw this woman out and bolt the door behind her!”

So Amnon’s attendant threw her out and bolted the door behind her. Now Tamar was wearing a robe of many colors, because this is what the king’s virgin daughters wore. And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her robe. And putting her hand on her head, she went away crying bitterly.

Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has your brother Amnon been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this thing to heart.”

So, Tamar lived as a desolate woman in the house of her brother Absalom.

When King David heard all this, he was furious. And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon for disgracing his sister Tamar.”

It’s a horrible story, but one springing from the problems of a polygamous household headed by a morally ambiguous father. Tamar and Absalom are siblings – same mother, same father; meanwhile, Amnon is a step – brother fathered by David but with a different mother. Amnon lusts after Tamar and finds a way to get her to come to him by pretending to be sick. Amnon sends for David, his father, and then begs for Tamar to come make cakes for him and feed him. Say what??? David must be a special kind of stupid if he can’t see what’s going to result from this request. This is the palace, and there are servants all over the place. Why doesn’t David ask some more pointed questions, questions such as “Why are you asking for Tamar to come, and why does she have to prepare the food in front of you?” Surely, David knows in his heart what Amnon is about to do. Tamar is David’s daughter, for goodness’ sake! What father is careless enough to allow his virgin daughter into such a situation? But David goes ahead to order Tamar to go, and Tamar has no choice. The result is a horrible tragedy for Tamar.

Even when Tamar finds out what Amnon wants, she urges Amnon to do the honorable thing, to ask for her hand in marriage from their father. But Amnon isn’t interested in a wife; he just wants Tamar and he wants her right now! Amnon rapes Tamar and then despises her because she reminds him of the sin he has just committed. Now Amnon throws Tamar out of his house as if she is the one who raped him, rather than the other way around. Tamar runs to Absalom, who shelters her but who hates Amnon for disgracing his sister. David is furious but does nothing. What can David do? Everybody knows what David did with Bathsheba; it was virtually the same thing that Amnon has just done, only worse. At least Amnon only raped an unmarried virgin; David raped a married woman and had her husband killed.

APPLICATION: It was one of the saddest cases I have seen. A beautiful 15 year – old girl came to see me with her head and face nearly completely covered. When I spoke with this young lady, she didn’t even make eye contact with me, an unusual thing in the local culture. The girl persistently hung her head down and spoke in a low monotone when questioned. What was wrong? This girl was from a small village with a single male school teacher. Nine months earlier, the girl’s mother had sent her to the school teacher, carrying food for his supper. Why did the mother do this? Perhaps the mother thought that the school teacher would fall in love with her daughter and would want to marry her. But instead, the school teacher had raped her and had then paid for her to have an abortion when she became pregnant. (This kind of thing happens frequently in rural villages.) The family had just now learned of the situation and wanted to make a police case of the incident. The family was demanding that I should do a physical examination on the girl. All that I could tell the family was that the girl was definitely not a virgin. Now this poor girl was traumatized, her life wrecked, with little hope for a better future, all because her mother was a foolish schemer.

Let’s be blunt! King David was a lousy father! Not only did David insist on satisfying his lust for a married woman, but he arranged for her husband to be killed. As a result of David’s misdeeds, his family and subordinates lost much of their respect for him. Given David’s horrible example, David’s son Amnon had no remorse about raping his half – sister. Why should he marry a half – sister when he might get more money by marrying some other rich young lady? Fathers are supposed to protect their daughters, but David set Tamar up to be violated. There’s no way that David was so naïve that he failed to realize what Amnon intended. So David was “furious” after the fact; big deal! Tamar’s life was still wrecked, and her brother Absalom now hated Amnon for the rape and David for facilitating it in the first place.

When Nathan confronted David over the incident with Bathsheba, David repented for that incident. But David failed to change his attitude toward his own children. For kings, fathering children was a mark of strength and power; however, that was the extent of it. David failed to teach his children, to guide them, or to be careful in his own actions so that he set a good example for his kids. As far as David was concerned, Tamar was just one more pretty daughter, but he did not value her as he should have. Poor Tamar!

Many of us have fathers who may have failed us in some fashion, and it’s tempting to be resentful and angry. But we have a Heavenly Father who is not like David and who does value us. We are not dependent on whatever our earthly fathers did or failed to do. We can turn to God and ask Him to make up the deficiencies.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, many of us feel that our fathers have failed us, but we know that You will never fail, that You will always be with us. Lord, please help all who read this devotional to turn to You and to trust Your love. Heal the hurts and mend broken hearts. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Samuel 12:24 – 31 “Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. So, she gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved the child and sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah because the LORD loved him.

Meanwhile, Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal fortress. Then Joab sent messengers to David to say, “I have fought against Rabbah and have captured the water supply of the city. Now, therefore, assemble the rest of the troops, lay siege to the city, and capture it. Otherwise, I will capture the city, and it will be named after me.”

So, David assembled all the troops and went to Rabbah; and he fought against it and captured it. Then he took the crown from the head of their king. It weighed a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city.

David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.”

The first son David has fathered with Bathsheba has died. David has repented. (For David’s prayer of repentance, see Psalm 51.) Now Bathsheba becomes pregnant again, and the result is Solomon, the son who will eventually become king. The prophet Nathan carries a message from the Lord ordering David and Bathsheba to give Solomon a second name, Jedidiah, which means “Beloved of the Lord.”  You might be surprised. After all, David had Bathsheba’s first husband murdered. What is it about Solomon that attracts the Lord’s special attention?

The infant Solomon has nothing to do with David’s previous sin, and the Lord recognizes that fact. God wants Solomon to have a certain genetic makeup; evidently, Bathsheba and David together create a DNA combination that will result in one of the wisest and most intelligent men of all time.

Earlier, we spoke about the ripple effect of David’s sin. Here in Joab’s message, you can already see that Joab has lost some of his respect for David. Had David gone to the battlefield with Joab and the troops, he would never have seen Bathsheba, and Uriah would still be alive. While Joab might have been willing to murder Abner in revenge for Abner having killed Joab’s brother, it’s quite likely that Joab is very angry at being ordered to place Uriah’s life in jeopardy so that the Ammonites would kill him. Joab sends a message to David that is barely respectful: “assemble the rest of the troops, lay siege to the city, and capture it. Otherwise, I will capture the city, and it will be named after me.” David realizes that Joab is correct and takes the necessary action. The battle of Rabbah ends David’s wars against the Ammonites, with David putting the Ammonites to forced labor.

APPLICATION: Somehow, it almost seems unfair that Bathsheba should become the mother of the wisest king of all time, the king who will succeed David. Why couldn’t Abigail have become the mother of Solomon? Abigail is a virtuous woman. But God chooses Bathsheba. Perhaps Abigail and some of the other wives have already reached menopause or are not even alive at this point. We know that Michal is barren. Solomon’s mother has to be a full – fledged wife and not a concubine; otherwise, his kingship will be in jeopardy from the start. In addition, Bathsheba is innocent. In a time when the king’s word is law, any woman summoned to the palace has no choice. Arguing with the king would not only be useless but possibly dangerous. In some respects, Bathsheba and her first child by David are both victims of David’s pride and lust.

The story of Solomon’s birth should encourage any woman who has given birth to a child under forced circumstances. God blesses Solomon, even though Solomon’s father has sinned. God does not blame an innocent baby for the circumstances of his or her conception. Even if the circumstances of conception are difficult, God can still bless any child.

What is missing from this account? There is nothing to indicate that David is grateful to the Lord for his victory over the Ammonites; in fact, from this point onwards, we hear less about David’s psalms of praise. David’s sin has begun affecting his family, and things are only about to get worse. God has kept His promise and has not killed David; however, David is about to face far bigger problems within his own household.

What can we learn from this story? David repented completely; had he not, Solomon would never have been conceived. God can bless any child, regardless of the circumstances of his or her conception or birth. But sin will still have lasting and far – reaching consequences. If you demand that subordinates do something wrong to help you cover up your sins, they may follow your orders, but you will lose their respect.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, bless all children, no matter the circumstances of their conception or birth. But Lord, help all of us to realize that we are always before You and that no secret is hidden from You. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 Samuel 12:1 – 23 “Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him.

Now a traveler came to the rich man, who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.”

David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.”

Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more.

Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife as your own, for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’

This is what the LORD says: ‘I will raise up adversity against you from your own house. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to another, and he will lie with them in broad daylight. You have acted in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”

“The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.”

After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. On the seventh day the child died. But David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Look, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to us. So how can we tell him the child is dead? He may even harm himself.”

When David saw that his servants were whispering to each other, he perceived that the child was dead. So, he asked his servants, “Is the child dead?”

“He is dead,” they replied.

Then David got up from the ground, washed and anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they set food before him, and he ate.

“What is this you have done?” his servants asked. “While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but when he died, you got up and ate.”

David answered, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let him live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

DAVID FAILED MISERABLY!!! Forgetting his responsibilities as a husband to his current wives, as a father to his children, as a commander to his troops, and as a king, David abused his authority to have sex with the wife of one of his commanders, Uriah. When this act resulted in pregnancy, David corrupted Joab, the commander of his army, by demanding that Joab place Uriah in the fiercest part of the battle, so that the Ammonites would slay Uriah. Once Uriah’s wife finished mourning her husband, David married her.

If David thought that he had successfully covered up his sin, he was absolutely wrong! By this point, all of Jerusalem was probably buzzing with the scandal, and already other men were following David’s example to behave indiscriminately. After all, everyone knew that David had God’s approval; if David could get away with something so foul, then why shouldn’t others do the same?

Anyone who has worked for a large organization of any kind can tell you that leaders have no secrets. There are always subordinates who are fully aware of everything a leader does. Sooner or later, information regarding misdeeds will certainly leak out. God gave Nathan the prophet a stern message for David, couched in a parable. Nathan recounted the heartbreaking story of a poor man who had only a single ewe lamb that was as close to him as a child. When a neighboring rich man wanted to entertain visitors, he seized the poor man’s ewe lamb, slaughtering it to feed his guests. David’s sense of fairness came to the fore and he was outraged….. until Nathan confronted him with the fact that he, David, had behaved just as heartlessly.

Sin is never a private matter! The incident with Bathsheba began because David chose to remain in Jerusalem while his troops were on the battlefield. Had David accompanied his troops, all would have been well. Then David kept watching Bathsheba when he could have quickly left the parapet of the palace. David could have said, “Wow! That Uriah is a lucky man!” and gone back inside to his own wives. But David was seduced by the power of kingship – after all, other kings would have taken any woman they wanted, so why not David? David definitely did NOT pray over the matter, nor did he stop for an instant to consider the ripple effects such a sin might have.

Eventually, David’s act corrupted his own family, Bathsheba, everybody in the palace, and everybody in the army who knew about Uriah’s death. Because of David’s sin, his first son by Bathsheba died. Because of David’s sin, later at different times, two of his sons rebelled against him. Because of David’s sin, the sword would never depart from his house. And because of David’s sin, someone else would take his wives and have sex with them in broad daylight before all Israel. Truly, David fouled his own nest and created a terrible legacy for his family.

APPLICATION: Once birth control became widely available in the 1970’s, many people abandoned the idea of chastity as a virtue. The hedonistic philosophy of “If it feels good, do it” became popular, with many people chanting “I’ve got to do my own thing, man!” But the results of this paradigm shift have been disastrous. Nearly 50% of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. Many young people who have come from broken homes refuse to marry, feeling that it is a useless exercise. A divorce is like a death, only without a body to bury. The repercussions of divorce can last for years. (Note: This is not a criticism of those who find themselves divorcing. My first marriage ended in a divorce.)

One of the saddest consequences of these shifts is the loss of the understanding of fatherhood. While God created fathers to love, cherish, protect, guide, and provide for their families, many have been raised by working mothers trying to fulfill both roles. Frequently, husbands and fathers have either proven to be abusive or have decided that being an adult is too difficult or too boring and so have simply abandoned their families.  

When David invited Bathsheba to the palace, all he could think about was satisfying his lust. David wasn’t thinking about anything or anyone else. Even though kings were generally regarded as being fathers to their subjects as well as to their own families, this was the furthest thing from David’s mind. It was a supreme tragedy that this leader who generally placed a high value on his men and their loyalty could so swiftly betray a man who was later described as one of David’s “mighty men.” Uriah wasn’t just some common foot soldier; Uriah was one of the assistant commanders in the army. (2 Samuel 23:8 – 29)

The Jews had a saying that “the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” Like it or not, a father’s actions will always have consequences. Is it possible that David’s father Jesse had more than one wife, and that David was the son of a less – favored wife? Perhaps Jesse set a bad example for David as a father. Certainly, David’s record as a father was not stellar. David’s sin with Bathsheba and his later marriage to her created extreme resentment among his other children and led to the rebellions of Absalom and Adonijah.     

In Numbers 32:23, God warns those tribes who settled east of the Jordan that they must follow through with their commitment to help conquer the Promised Land. “But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out.” What can we do about sin? We can confess to God, so that we can receive forgiveness.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, this morning we want to confess ______________ to You. Please forgive us for this sin and help us to turn away so that we do not keep repeating it. If we need to make life changes to avoid that temptation, help us to make those changes. Thank You for Your forgiveness. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.