May 17 - 2 Samuel 16-18: The Fall of Absalom

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 16-18

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

David holds out hope that the relationship with his son can be reconciled.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Ziba, Mephibosheth's steward, met David with fresh supplies. Mephibosheth had returned to Jerusalem hoping to become king. Ziba was given Mephibosheth's possessions.
Shimei hurled insults at David. David feared these were God's insults and would not hurt him.
Absalom slept with his father's concubines in public.
Hushai convinced Absalom to attack his father with a large force. Hushai then informed David of the plan and David's army escaped across a river.
David instructed his army not to hurt Absalom. Joab killed Absalom, dangling by his hair from a tree.
David wept bitterly over Absalom's death, wishing he had died instead.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Mephibosheth betrays David. Ziba earned Mephibosheth's possessions.

In David's attempt to honor Mephibosheth's father, Mephibosheth was given his grandfather's land and servants. Unfortunately, Mephibosheth's heart was not changed. In fact, he had visions of grandeur that he could become king. Why he believes this fantasy is not mentioned in scripture. What is mentioned is that his delusion cost him all he had. Although yesterday's reading is not completely accurate that "everyone" left David, this episode would have felt that way.

Ziba, on the other hand, understood David's kindness and returned kindness. Because of this he, the servant of David's former rival, was given Mephibosheth's property.

Shimei's insults show David's humility.

David cannot allow Abishai to punish Shimei for insulting him because David believes God may be behind the insults. Even if they are not from God, he wants God to redeem him. David, the king, the one running for his life from his own son is humble enough to allow a citizen to heave unwarranted insults at him without penalty. What humility! When we humble ourselves to allow God to set things right we no longer need to force others to respect us.

Ahithophel becomes a victim of his own hubris.

Ahithophel became famous as a self-proclaimed wise man. When Absalom took Hushai's advice over his he went and hanged himself. Beware success apart from God. It can be fleeting and you will not like the end result.

David is still hopeful that his relationship with Absalom will be restored.

This is the hardest part of the entire story to read. Absalom killed David's eldest and favorite son. He overtook David's city and publically embarrassed him. Yet David tells his three generals not to kill the boy. The love of a parent can set many wrongs right.

When David learns of Absalom's death:

The king was stunned. Heartbroken, he went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he wept he cried out, O my son Absalom, my dear, dear son Absalom! Why not me rather than you, my death and not yours, O Absalom, my dear, dear son! (18:33, The Message)

It is impossible to know just how much pain David experienced during this time. It truly was his darkest hour. Rather than explain more, listen to this piece written by Joshua Shank.



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O Absalom, my son!

May 15 - 2 Samuel 13-15: The Tragedy of Tamar; The Corruption of Absalom

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 13-15

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

No one consults with God during these events.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Amnon, David's firstborn, wanted his half-sister Tamar. While she pleaded for marriage, he raped and tossed her out.
Absalom created a ruse by invited David's sons to eat a feast. He killed Ammon then fled to escape his father's fury.
Joab, through a widow, convinced David to bring Absalom back; however, David would not see Absalom. Two years later, David and Absalom finally reconciled.
Later on, Absalom usurped his father's throne. David and his servants fled, except ten concubines left as caretakers. Per David's orders, the Ark of the Covenant remained in Jerusalem. David sent Hushai to spy on Absalom.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God's prophecy is coming true.

Nathan told David his house would divide and he would be openly humiliated. In a couple of days we will have the second part of David's punishment come true.

Amnon and Tamar show the perils of unabated lust.

Tamar is the victim of a horrific act. She is raped by a man she was willing to marry, and then thrown out as a piece of trash. She was betrayed by her brother, Absalom, when he suggested the plan to Amnon (although he did not know Amnon would treat his sister that way). In the end she lives her life as an old maid, bitter and childless. All of this happened because a man was unwilling to marry the woman he had lusted after. Beware of lust, it leads down a path that cannot set things right.

David does not consult God when dealing with his family.

Tucked away in this story is the fact that David learns of Amnon's deeds but does nothing because Amnon is his firstborn. David should know the Law required Amnon to marry Tamar. Instead nothing happens and Absalom decides to both execute his brother and take his father's throne. What is sad about this story is that David, a man after God's own heart, wants God to guide him in everything except his family. Do not leave God out of your family—lest it lead to disaster.

Absalom becomes the type of person who takes control over God.

Absalom does not learn from his father's example—both good and bad. David consults God in important matters. Absalom, on the other hand, prefers to take matters into his own hands: silencing Tamar to prevent his family's name from taint, executing Amnon through a ruse which scared his brothers and made him flee for two years, and plotting to overthrow his father's throne. Absalom may have lost respect for his father over the Tamar incident. His good looks and amazing hair could have led him to think more highly of himself than he ought. Most likely the two compounded to create a toxic mind-altering state in which Absalom felt justified in his actions. Beware successes (whether your physic or accomplishments) lest they convince you to take control over God.

The story of Joab and the widow is a moral quagmire.

The only thing that is certain is that no one consulted God when discussing Absalom's punishment and return. Who is righteous in this matter is uncertain. God does not provide judgment in the text. Not all stories in the Old Testament are cut-and-dried, black-and-white moral stories.

David has the Ark of the Covenant returned to Israel because he does not know if God is with him.

David realizes his mistakes. He realizes he missed opportunities to set things right and does not know if exile is his punishment from God or the consequences of Absalom's wickedness. So instead of claiming God is on his side and demanding the return of his throne he instead gives Zadok these orders,

Take the Chest back to the city. If I get back in God's good graces, he'll bring me back and show me where the Chest has been set down. But if he says, "I'm not pleased with you" - well, he can then do with me whatever he pleases. (15:25-26, The Message)

Humble yourself when you feel persecuted—it may be God's punishment. If not, God will restore your state.
This could be a good lesson for churches today. Many places in the USA are antagonistic towards churches. Instead of grabbing on to God's name and proclaiming now is "out of season" to preach God, let us be humble and allow God to bring us back. We do not know, maybe it is God's punishment for not consulting Him in our lives.

How have you responded to God's punishment?