Bible in one year 6/3/2022 2 Samuel Chapter 14 – 17 Absalom routs King David
Rev.Katherine
Liu Bruce
Christian
Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry &
Counseling
2
Samuel chapter 14 David’s son Absalom returns and rebellion
After
Absalom fled and went to Geshur three years later, Joab used a subtle method to
enable David to be reunited with Absalom after a three years speration.
(vv.1-20). The exitinction of a family line on account of the absence of an
heir was regarded as a terrible misfortune. The surviving son is compared to
the last coal left among the embers. (v.7). David was apparently putting the
woman off, seeking to avoid becoming blameworthy himself by defending a guilty
son. The persistent woman expressed her willingness to bear any guilt in place
of the king.(v.8-9). David authorized the woman to bring her persecutors before
him for judgment.(v.10). The woman applied the principle of David’s judgment to
his own situation with Absalom.(v.13).
“Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. But the king
said, “ He must go to his own house, he must not see my face.” (vv.23-24).
David’s unwillingness to forgive completely and to restore Absalom to the court
generated bitterness in the heart of Absalom.(v.24). Absalom lived two years in
Jerusalem and had three sons and a daughter. After two years Absalom was
restored to favor with David and again enjoyed full court privileges.(v.33).
2
Samuel Chapter 15 David’s son Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel,
David fled for his life.
During the two years of separation
from David, Absalom had grown bitter. This eventually erupted in rebellion,
which forced David to flee Jerusalem when Absalom usurped the throne. (vv.1-23).
Absalom would get up early and stand by
the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a
complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out
to him, “ What town are you from?” then Absalom would say to him, “ look, you
claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear
you, if only I were appointed judge in the land! Than everyone who has a
complaint or case could come to me and I would see that he gets justice.”(vv.2-4).Whenver anyone approached him to bow down
before him, Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to
the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the men of Isael.(v.6) At the end of four years. The period probably
began with Absalom’s return to Geshur. Absalom asked his father king David let
him go to Hebron and fulfill a vow he made to the Lord. So king let him go in
peace.(v.9). While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel
the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from Giloh. Absalom’s conspiracy
gained strength, and following kept on increasing.(v.12).
A messenger came and told David, “ the hearts of the men of Israel are with
Absalom,” then David said to all his officials who were with him in
Jerusalem, “ come! we must flee, or none
of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move
quickly to overtake us and bring ruin upon us and put the city to the
sword.”(vv.13-14). David fled for his life and for fear of an attach on
Jerusalem if he remained at the city. Perhaps he was seeking to avert civil war
and blood shed. But he obviously expected to return to Jerusalem, for he left
ten concubines to keep house.(v.16; 16:21-22). Although David did not recognize
Absalom as king, he encouraged Ittai to remain with whomever God should appoint
king(15:25-26). The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by.
The king also crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on toward the
desert.(v.23). In Judea, between Jerusalem and the Jordan River. Ahithophel’s
defection was counter-balanced by the loyalty of Hushai, who remained in Jerusalem
to function as an informant for David.(vv.31-32).
2
Samuel Chapter 16 David’s son Absalom rules in Jerusalem, lie with his
father’s concubines on the roof in the sight of all Israel.
Ziba’s accusation of
Mephibosheth’s disloyalty was, according to 19:24-28, false, He was evidently
trying to commend himself in the eyes of David.(vv.1-4). As king David
approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from
there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, he cursed as he came out. (v.5) David
regarded Shimei’s cursing as ordained of God, who would ultimately requite
him(v.12). Hushai, David’s spy, cleverly ingratiated himself with Absalom by
suggesting he (Absalom), as David’s son, had a legitimate, if premature, claim
to the throne.(vv.18-19). Ahithophel gave Absalom
advice to lie with his father David’s concubines whom he left to take care of
the palace… so they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he lay with his
father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.(vv.21-22). In
ancient times the appropriation of the royal harem demonstrated possession of
the throne(3:7). The deed would also remove any possibility of reconciliation
between Absalom and David. Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires
of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s
advice.(v.23). Absalom’s public appropriation of David’s royal concubines in
verses 21-22 were fulfilled Nathan’s predictions of judgment on David’s
adultery sin recorded in chapter 12:11 “Because
your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you
and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secrets, but I
will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.”
2 Samuel 17 Absalom’s counsel Hushai and Anithophel
God used Hushai, David’s
loyal friend to thwart the counsel of Anithophel and lead Absalom to his
death.(vv.1-4). Ahithophel suggested, “
I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. I
would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and
then all the people with him will flee, I will strike down only the king and
bring all people back to you…”(vv.1-3). But Hushai’s advice, “ Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba as
numerous as the sand on the seashore be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. Then we will attach him whenever he may be found, and
we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any on his men
will be left alive. if he withdraws into a city, then all Israel with bring
ropes to the city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a
piece of it can be found.(vv.11-13). Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the
priests, sent a message immediately to tell David, “ do not spend the night at
the fords in the desert; cross over without fail, or king and all the people
with him will be swallowed up.”(v.16). Ahithophel saw that his advice had not
been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown.
Ahithophel perceptive to the end, realized that his cause was lost. He hanged
himself, died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
Bibliography,
Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago,
IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986
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