2 Samuel 13-18

 

In the last chapter David committed adultery, murder and used his power in the wrong way. Nathan prophesied that David’s family and his kingdom would suffer because of David’s sins.  It began with the death of David’s first child.  Now in the next chapters we see more consequences.  His sin will divide his family, the nation and threaten his throne. 

2 Samuel 13 – Rape and Murder

Absalom and Tamar were brother and sister from David’s wife Maacah.  Amnon was David’s first-born son from his wife Ahinaom and was in line to be the next king.  Amon thought Tamar was very beautiful and longed for her even though she was his half-sister.  He called it love, but it proved to be only lust.  Just as David had watched and lusted for Bathsheba, Amnon watched and lusted after Tamar.  Amnon sought advice from cousin Jonadab who was the son of David’s brother.  Jonadab told him to go to bed and pretend to be ill.  Then ask the king to send Tamar to minister to him. 

It’s interesting that David abused his power and authority to bring Bathsheba to his home and in the same way Amnon abused his power and authority when he had Tamar brought to his home.  Neither women were invited, but sent for.

When and how have you abused your authority?

David gave his permission and orders Tamar to go Amnon.  When she arrived, he sent his servants away and grabbed her and forced himself on her.  She tried to resist and begged him to not to do this evil thing, but his lust and desire was too great.  Afterward he raped her, he hated her maybe out of guilt and shame for what he’s done.  Unlike David, He had no sense of honor.  He sent her away, because she reminded him of his sin. 

The Law of Moses found in Leviticus 18:9; 20:17 says brother and sister should not have sex together and they should not be married.  Sex is only right when a man and a woman are married to each other.  God hates all types of wrong sex.  Amnon’s actions proved he didn’t love her.  His attraction for her was only lust and not love.  I think Jonadab should share in the guilt.  He was the one who helped Amnon carry out his evil deed.

When King David heard this he was very angry, but he did nothing.  Maybe he felt guilty because he didn’t do anything to protect Tamar.  He didn’t even correct Amnon.  Maybe David loved Amnon and didn’t want to punish him.  After all he was to be the next king.  Perhaps David felt guilty because he had sinned with Bathsheba and didn’t control his emotions.  Now Amnon sinned in the same way with Tamar.  Fathers are commanded to teach their sons to behave in the right way. (Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Ephesians 6:4).  Fathers should punish their children if they do evil things, but David didn’t to this. (Proverbs 23:13-14)  So David had trouble with several of his sons.

Principle:  When sin is swept under the carpet, it always causes more misery.

Absalom realized what Amnon had done to his sister and tried to comfort her.  He hated him for what he had done and for two years plotted revenge on Amnon.  It was sheep shearing time and time for celebrating so Absolom invited Amnon and all the king’s sons to a feast.  When Amnon was drunk with wine, Absolom command his men to kill Amnon.  David instructed Joab to kill Uriah and now Absalom gave instructions to kill Amnon.   A report came to David that all his sons were dead, but later Jonadab told the king that only Amnon was killed because he had raped Tamar.

After Absolom killed Amnon, he fled to Talmai, son of Ammihud the king of Geshur.  He stayed there 3 years.  All the while David longed to go to Absalom, but his pride kept him from reconciliation with his son.

What is keeping you from swallowing your pride and doing the right thing?

2 Samuel 14 – Bitterness and Unforgiveness

Joab, commander of David’s army knew David longed for his son, Absalom.  Joab may have been looking out for himself.  By bringing David and Absalom back together, he would be in good standing for years to come.  He knew Absalom was to be the next king of Israel, but he could not if he was in a foreign county.  Joab wanted to reconcile David and Absalom so he invented a story.  This is how Nathan spoke to David in chapter 12.  But this story was not from God, it was Joab own plan.  Joab enlisted a woman to tell a sad story.  He told her how to behave and what to say.  She told a story of her son, which would affect David’s emotions and so he would understand how she felt. 

David realized that Joab had arranged this.  David then told Joab to go and bring Absalom back to Israel, but he was not to come to the palace where David could see him.  David tried to make Absalom pay for his crime by withholding love and fellowship by refusing to see him which meant he had not forgiven him.  This was David’s pride.  Either you forgive or you don’t.  Jesus warned of the dangers when you don’t reconcile matters. (Matthew 5:23-26)  Absalom lived 2 years in Jerusalem without seeing the king’s face.

Absalom sent for Joab several times, because he wanted an audience with the king.  He thought he was not guilty of any sin.  David didn’t punish Amnon so Absalom took it upon himself to do it, because he had sinned against his sister Tamar.  Absalom was a handsome man, but good looking doesn’t make a person wise or mature.  Absalom set fire to Joab’s fields to get his attention.  Absalom finally went to Joab’s house and Joab agreed to see the king on Absalom’s behalf.  At last, Absalom saw the king and gave him honor.  David kissed Absalom, but there was no forgiveness.  Absalom had too much bitterness towards his father, because David never seemed to do the right thing.   Absalom would never recover from this bitterness and would prove to be one of David’s opponents.

David had many great qualities as the leader of Israel, but he didn’t manage his own family matters very well.  He never punished Amnon for his sin or addressed Absalom’s murder of Amnon.  David did allow Absalom to come home, but he gave only partial forgiveness to Absalom.  David understood God’s forgiveness toward him, but he didn’t seem to make the connection when it came to dealing with his son, Absalom.

We can apply this lesson with each another and in our families.  Many parents make the mistake of not dealing correctly with their children’s disobedience.  They withhold love and stay angry thinking that is a punishment.  This can bring on rebellion.  With partial or conditional forgiveness the problem will only get worse.  We must totally forgive as God has forgiven us.  God forgives, but doesn’t wipe out the consequences for our sin.  If it did, we would never learn from it. 

God’s grace is free, but not cheap.  It cost God the life His only Son.   Sin is cheap, but it’s not free.  Sin enslaves and will cost in the long run.  You can’t undo your past, but you can do something about your present and future. 

Principle:  God’s grace is free, but not cheap.

Do you have bitterness toward someone?

Who is it that you need to forgive?

2 Samuel 15 –Rebellion

David restored Absalom, but 7 years of bitterness had grown up inside Absalom which would last for the rest of his life.  Absalom wanted to take David’s throne for his own.  He became a clever politician and for 4 years he stole the people’s heart from David.  He reached out to people who had complaints and made promises that would cause them to follow him.  Sounds like the politicians today.  He slowly divided David’s kingdom and wanted to overthrow the kingdom.

Do you crave what others have?

Do you believe you deserve another’s position?

If so, what lengths will you go?

How do you try to convince others to your way of thinking?

Do you stretch the truth or flatter others to get what you want?

King David didn’t want Jerusalem to become a battleground.  He loved his son and didn’t want him to be killed so he fled the city.  Fighting Absalom was not an option for David.  He left 10 concubines at the palace.  To me this shows he was only leaving for a short time and not giving up the throne. 

The priests were loyal to David.  David had them take the Ark of the Covenant and go back to the city.  David knew the Lord was with him and he put his fate in God’s hands. 

David was betrayed by his own counselor, Ahithophel.  But David had many other loyal friends who remained faithful to him.  David and the people covered their heads and wept as they went up to the Mount of Olives.  David prayed that Ahithophel’s counsel to Absalom would be foolish.

When have you chosen to flee instead of fight even though you knew you were in the right?

Where have you trusted God when all seemed lost?

2 Samuel 16-18 – Victory

Absalom and his men arrived in Jerusalem.  Ahithophel advised him to sleep with David’s concubines who remained in the palace.  So Absalom put up a tent on the palace roof for all Israel to see as a claim to the kingdom and slept with the concubines.

Then Ahithophel advised Absalom to quickly attack David while he was weak and kill only him which would minimize bloodshed.  This plan seemed good, but Absalom also asked Hushai for his advice.  Hushai was David’s friend who had pretended to be on Absalom’s side, but was actually a spy.  He told him this is not good advice, because David and his men are experienced fighters and that Ahithophel had underestimated David and his ability to defend himself and his kingdom.  With Ahithophel’s plan it would require more than David’s death.  Absalom took Hushai’s advice.  Absalom gathered his army, which gave David more time to prepare for battle.  Hushai sent word to David of the plan.  Remember David had prayed that Ahithophel’s advice would be foolish to Absalom.  God answered his prayer.  Ahithophel saw his advice had not been followed and committed suicide.

Who do you look to for good advice?

Absalom and Ahithophel didn’t want David to be their king.  By rejecting David, they rejected God’s anointed king so they are rejecting God Himself. 

What king will you serve? 

Will you serve the king of your own desires or King Jesus? 

David and his army overcame Absalom’s army and 20,000 died.  David gave order for his men to be gentle when they found Absalom.  This is very different from the advice of Ahithophel who wanted to kill David.  While in the midst of fighting, Absalom riding his donkey gets his long hair caught in a tree branch.  Joab found him caught and tangled so Joab killed him with his spear.  Again Joab did what he thought was best.  He believed murdering Absalom was for David’s good.  Joab stopped the army and they threw Absalom’s body in a pit and place large rocks over him.  David heard the news that they have won the battle, but his son is dead.  David wept.

Principle:  God’s grace is greater than sin.

Main truth of these chapters:  Only God’s power turns back the destructive process of sin.

Next time we will continue in the book of 2 Samuel.  See you here next time.

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2 Samuel 11-12

2 Samuel 11 – David’s Adultery and Murder

     It was nigh time and David was pacing on his roof top, probably because he couldn't sleep.  He looked onto Bathsheba’s roof top and saw her bathing.  Instead of looking away, he continued to stare at her because she was very beautiful.  He gave into temptation.  He asked who she was and was told she was the wife of Uriah the Hittite.  That didn’t stop David.  He sent for her, she came to him and they slept together.  It seemed like David got away with his sin, but later Bathsheba told David she was pregnant.  David was caught and now he had to find a way to get out of this mess.

First of all David should have been on the battle field instead of in Jerusalem and he would have not been tempted.  Bathsheba should have not been bathing on the roof for others to see.  David’s sin was not seeing her, but choosing to keep his eyes on her.  David had many wives and power as king, but must have not been satisfied with all God had given him.  David could have taken himself out of this situation at the moment of temptation like Joseph when he ran from Potiphar’s wife.

The pleasures of sin look enticing and beautiful, but can cause even more sin if we give into it.  David committed adultery in his heart up on the roof even before he practiced it.  David knew it was wrong, but did it anyway.  He just wasn’t thinking but acted on his feelings, desires and impulses.

When have you sinned and then tried to cover it up?

When have you let Satan convince you to do something you knew was wrong?

When David heard of the pregnancy, he should have repented.  Instead he did what a lot of sinners do and tried to hide his sin.  They sin more to get out of the original sin.  He wanted to draw Uriah back home so he would sleep with his wife, which would give a reason for her pregnancy.  He sent for Uriah hoping he would go home to Bathsheba, but Uriah didn’t go home so David’s plan didn’t work.  So he had to try again.  He invited Uriah to eat and drink with him hoping he would get him drunk.  Still Uriah didn’t go home to Bathsheba.  Now he must figure out another plan – a more drastic one. 

Uriah was not a selfish man.  He had a duty to the other soldiers.  He didn’t want to enjoy what his fellow soldiers couldn’t.  He was a man of integrity and loyal to the king’s interests rather than to his own pleasures. 

David’s lust was so powerful that he wanted Uriah dead.  David sent a note to Joab with Uriah and arranged Uriah’s death by hiding it in battle.  Unknowingly Uriah carried the note that led to his own death.  Joab without knowing the facts, obeyed David’s command.  He sent Uriah to the front line where the fighting was the fierce and he was killed.  This was the same as if David had killed Uriah himself.

Satan tempted David little by little – lust on the roof, sending for another man’s wife, sleeping with her, lies to Uriah, then murder of Uriah.  David could have stopped at any time, but he gave in at every point.  One sin led to another and another.  His lust turned into adultery, lies, deception and murder.  Now that Uriah was dead David took Bathsheba as his wife and they had a son.  God of course witnessed all this and was displeased with David.

Principle:  God knows everything even what’s done in secret.

Sin is never hidden from God.  The only answer to sin is confession and repentance.  When we sin we’ve sinned against God.  We have choices to make every day just like David.  We can learn from this incident in his life.  We can pray for discernment in our choices and if we walk down the wrong path, pray that God will empower us to change our course.  But if we do end up in sin, we should be honest and repent instead of trying to cover it up and avoid taking responsibility.

2 Samuel 12 – David Rebuked

God knows our hearts and He knew David was miserable in his guilt and was ready to repent.  God sent Nathan to David and Nathan told him a story about a rich man with many sheep.  The man took a pet lamb from a poor man and slaughtered it his dinner guests.  This made David very angry and he commanded death to the man.  Nathan told David that he was this man.  David had to condemn his own sin before he could find forgiveness.  David confessed immediately and submitted to God’s discipline which would be the death of his newborn son and later painful consequences in David’s family.

 

Through Nathan God explained to David all that He had given him, but instead of gratitude David sought out sin.  David didn’t get angry with Nathan and attack him for confronting him.  He recognized it was his sin and he was responsible.  He didn’t make excuses or blame Joab or God.  He confessed that he had sinned against God. 

Principle:  God exposes sin and leads His children to repentance.

If we don’t confess our sin, we become slaves to our guilt.  We don’t have to be slaves, God is gracious, compassionate and merciful.  When we repent, He forgives.  He may severely deal with our sins, but we can trust He does everything for our good.

David repented immediately and God forgave David immediately.  Nathan told David that God had taken away his sin and he was not going to die, but because of David’s sin his son would die.  David pleaded with God for his child.  He even fasted refusing to eat or drink.  On the 7^th day his son died.  David had a sense of peace, because he would meet him in heaven one day.  To me this is an assurance that children who die at a young age will go to heaven.

Why is it so easy to drift from the Lord?
How often do you manipulate your circumstances to fit your needs?
What tempts you?

What steps do you take to guard against that temptation?

Have you ever told yourself that you’ve done something so unthinkable that God would never forgive you?

David and Bathsheba bore another son and God called him Jedidiah, which means “loved of the Lord”.  He was the son born out of a marriage that began in adultery, but who would be heir to David’s throne.  David had other sons, but God chose this son to be an ancestor of Jesus to demonstrate the truth that God forgives repentant sinners.  This son was the one who would later build the temple. 

Jedidiah was more of a nickname, because later in 1 Chronicles 22:9 God told David to call him Solomon, which means peace.
 

Principle:  God forgives and restores repentant sinners.

Joab fought against Rabbah and Ammon, but wanted to capture the city.  He told David to come and finish the war or Joab would take credit for the defeat himself.  David went and finished the victory which he should have done all along instead of staying in Jerusalem.

Next time we will continue in the book of 2 Samuel.  See you here next time.

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2 Samuel 8-10

2 Samuel 8 – David’s Subdues Philistines and Moabites 

The Philistines were Israel’s neighboring enemy.  Samson fought the Philistines in Judges 13-16.  It was the Philistines who defeated Israel and captured the ark in 1 Samuel 4. Jonathan attacked the Philistines in 1 Samuel 14.  David killed Goliath who was a Philistine and led the pursuit of them in 1 Samuel 17. David found sanctuary with the Philistines in 1 Samuel 21 and 27.  The Philistines defeated Israel’s army and killed Saul and his 2 sons in 1 Samuel 31.  Now in 2 Samuel 8 as king, David defeated the Philistines.

King David also defeated and subdued the Moabites.  He killed 2/3 of the Moabites and let 1/3 live.  David dedicated to the Lord all the articles of silver, gold and bronze that had been plundered.  These victories were a testimony of the Lord’s power in David’s life and for Israel.  It made other nations respect Israel and God.  The Lord gave David victory wherever he went and David always gave the Lord the credit.

If we would dedicate more of our resources to God, there would be less poverty and less dependence on the government.  When we can dedicate our time reading and studying the Bible, it draws us closer to Him and we grow in faith.  God has given each person talents and gifts.  By using them we become witnesses for Him and it furthers His kingdom. 

What have you dedicated to God?

Principle:  Obedience leads us to victory in life. 

How could David kill so many?  David is God’s king and King of Israel.  He rules for God.  These Moabites were enemies of Israel and so were enemies of God.  Remember he did show mercy and let 1/3 live.

David reigned over all Israel and administered judgment and justice to all his people.  This is how God wanted Saul to reign, but he resisted and rejected the Lord.  Because David allowed God to subdue him so the nations were subdued by God for David. 

No great ruler succeeds by himself.  Part of David’s success was because of his ability to empower and maintain a team.  David always showed great leadership.  He was strong, bold, and confident in the Lord.  He was just, wise and a good organizer.  He put together a team that worked together.  Joab was over the army; Jehoshaphat was the recorder; Zadak and Ahimelech were priests; Seraiah was secretary; Benaiah was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were royal advisers.

How do you think others will describe you? 

Will they say you were an encourager and a person of integrity?  Will they say you were compassionate, kind, and full of humility?

If not, what’s keeping from being that kind of person?

2 Samuel 9 – David’s Shows Grace to Mephibosheth

Usually when a new king came to power all the family members of the former king were killed in order to keep them from trying to regain the throne.  David didn’t do that.  Instead he asked if there were any of Saul’s family still alive so he could help them.

He found out that Saul’s son, Jonathan who had been David’s best friend, had a lame son named Mephibosheth.  David remembered his promise to Jonathan to always show kindness to his family.  So Mephibosheth was brought into the palace and ate at the king’s table like one of his sons.  He restored to him all the land that belonged to his grandfather, Saul.  David didn’t treat him kindly because he deserved it, but because he had made a covenant with Jonathan.

Do you tend to look down on those you consider unworthy?
What is keeping you from showing kindness to someone who is undeserving?

Do you only do what is required or do you ever go beyond in generosity and love?

This is a wonderful example of grace.  We are like Mephibosheth.  He once walked with his father as man walked with God.  But sin came and mankind fell and was left spiritually cripple.  Our nature separates us from God.  We are hiding in our sin and are fearful of the Lord.  We are separated from our King because of our sin.   Although we were helpless and hopeless like Mephibosheth, God welcomes us into His family when we have done nothing to deserve it.  He sent Jesus to take our punishment for our sins.  It’s a free gift from God.  Now we can sit at the King’s table.  Because of this grace we have eternal life.  There is nothing we can do but be thankful and accept God’s gift of love and kindness.

Do you fear death?  You should if you are outside of Christ.  You face terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of fire which will last forever.  God seeks us exactly where we are, fallen in sin and far from God.  David and Jonathan made a covenant just as God made a covenant with His Son.  For His sake He shows us kindness.

Principle:  Grace seeks us where we are and brings us to the King’s presence.

2 Samuel 10 – David Defeats the Ammonites

Nahash, the Ammonite king had died and his son Hanun became the new king.  David wanted to show kindness to Hanun because his father had been kind to David.  So David sent a delegation of men to express his sympathy to Hanun, but Hanun suspected them as being spies.   Hanun seized David’s men and deliberately humiliated them.  He shaved off half of their beards, cut off part of their garments and sent them away.  Of course this insulted and humiliated the men.  This was as if Hanun had insulted the King David himself. 

The Ammonites realized they had made David angry so they prepared for war.  David sent his army to do battle.  The Ammonites came out to fight.  The enemy's armies in the front and the enemy's armies in the rear, but Joab put his faith in the Lord.  He told his men, “Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God.  The Lord will do what is good in his sight” – 2 Sam. 10:12  He knew the outcome was ultimately in God’s hands.  When Joab and his army advanced to fight, the enemies fled.   They couldn’t stand before Israel mighty men and they knew it.  Joab returned home to Israel.  Then the enemy regrouped so David gathered is men and went to battle.  Before the enemy fled again, David fought and killed 700 of those in chariots and 40,000 foot soldiers.  When they saw they were defeated by Israel, they finally got the point.  It doesn’t pay to fight against God’s King.  Those that survived made peace with Israel and became Israel’s subjects.  David became even more powerful.

Principle:  God’s works all things to the good of the believer.

Next time we will continue in the book of 2 Samuel.  See you here next time.

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