2 Samuel 14:18-15:37 – Treachery and Loyalty

A. Absalom’s deceptive take-over. 1. (1-6) Absalom steals the hearts of the men of Israel. After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

a. Chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him: This means that Absalom did not want the chariot for speed, but to make an impressive procession. This was Absalom the politician, sensing what the people wanted and knowing how to give them the image of it.

i. Samuel – who anointed Absalom’s father as king – was a judge, leader and prophet in Israel. Yet Samuel never went around with horses and chariots and an entourage. Samuel traveled on foot – and as a man, Absalom wasn’t worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as Samuel.

b. Whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision: Ancient kings were more than the heads of government, they were also the “supreme court” of their kingdom. If someone believed that a local court did not give them justice, they then appealed to the court of the king, where the king or a representative of the king heard their case.

c. Your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you: Absalom stirred up dissatisfaction with David’s government and campaigned against David by promising to provide justice that David (supposedly) denied the people.

d. Oh, that I were made judge in the land…I would give him justice: Absalom had reason to be disillusioned with David’s administration of justice. When Amnon raped Tamar, David did nothing. When Absalom did something about it, David banished Absalom and kept him at a distance even when he came back.

e. Whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him: Absalom was skilled at projecting a “man of the people” image. In an obvious display, he wouldn’t let others bow down to him but would lift them up, shake their hand, and embrace them.

i. From what we know of Absalom, we can guess that he really didn’t consider himself a “man of the people” at all. He regularly acted as if he was above others and the laws that applied to others didn’t apply to him. He knew he was better looking, better connected, better off, and had better political instincts than almost anyone. But these political instincts made Absalom aware that he had to create the image of a man of the people.

ii. In ancient Israel they were too easily impressed by image and too slow to see or appreciate the reality behind the image. Since the days of ancient Israel, we have only become more impressed by image over reality.

iii. “Absalom appeared to be the real and was the undisputed heir to the throne; David could not, in the course of nature, live very long; and most people are more disposed to hail the beams of the rising, than exult in those of the setting, sun.” (Clarke)

f. Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel: Absalom’s cunning campaign worked. He became more popular and more trusted than David.

i. Absalom knew exactly how to do this.

· He carefully cultivated an exciting, enticing image (chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him).

· He worked hard (Absalom would rise early).

· He knew where to position himself (beside the way to the gate).

· He looked for troubled people (anyone who had a lawsuit).

· He reached out to troubled people (Absalom would call to him).

· He took a personal interest in the troubled person (What city are you from?).

· He sympathized with the person (your case is good and right).

· He never attacked David directly (no deputy of the king to hear you).

· He left the troubled person more troubled (no deputy of the king to hear you).

· Without directly attacking David, Absalom promised to do better. (Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.)

ii. Absalom’s clever approach made him able to subvert and divide David’s kingdom without saying any specific thing that could condemn him. If someone objected Absalom would simply say, “Tell me one specific thing that I have said or done.” In fact, Absalom could do all this and say, “I’m helping David to deal with all this discontent.” In fact, Absalom was promoting discontent.

iii. David was Israel’s greatest king – and Israel became dissatisfied with him and let a wicked, amoral man steal their hearts. There are many reasons why this happened.

· David was getting older.

· David’s sins diminished his standing.

· People like change and Absalom was exciting.

· Absalom was very skilled and cunning.

· David had to enter into the fellowship of His sufferings, and be rejected like the Son of David would later be rejected.

iv. “Behold a king, the greatest that ever lived, a profound politician, an able general, a brave soldier, a poet of the most sublime genius and character, a prophet of the Most High God, and the deliverer of his country, driven from his dominions by his own son, abandoned by his fickle people.” (Clarke)

v. We might say that Absalom’s greatest sin was impatience. Absalom “seemed to stand nearest to the throne; but his sin was, that he sought it during his father’s life, and endeavoured to dethrone him in order to sit in his stead.” (Clarke)

2. (7-10) Absalom plans the overthrow of David’s kingdom. Now it came to pass after forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please, let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the LORD. For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the LORD indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’” And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron. Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’”

a. After forty years: This perhaps was Absalom’s age at the time, but some believe that this is a minor corruption of the text and that it should read four years based on the readings in Syriac and Arabic translations, Josephus, and some Hebrew manuscripts.

b. Let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the LORD: Absalom committed treason under the guise of worship. He knew that the appearance of spirituality could work in his favor.

i. It is possible – perhaps likely – that Absalom did all this feeling spiritual and in God’s will. Men in Absalom’s place often deceive themselves with words like this: “Lord, You know we need new leadership. Thank you for raising me up for such a time as this. Guide me and bless me, O Lord, as I endeavor to do what is best for Your people.”

ii. Divisive people almost never see themselves as divisive. They see themselves as crusaders for God’s righteous cause and often believe or hope God’s hand is upon them. This is especially a problem because many people will only believe a person is divisive if that person admits to being divisive.

c. Go in peace: Ironically, these were David’s last words to Absalom. Upon hearing these, Absalom went to carry out the plot to overthrow David’s kingdom.

d. Absalom reigns in Hebron: Absalom counted on the hope that most of Israel would see this as succession and not treason.

3. (11-12) Legitimacy for Absalom’s government. And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything. Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city; from Giloh; while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.

a. With Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem: Absalom wisely knew that he needed others to endorse – or at least to appear to endorse – his government. He counted on these two hundred men who were not against David, to at least be silent and therefore give the impression that they were for Absalom.

i. When the innocent and unknowing are among the divisive, their silence is always received as agreement.

b. Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor: Absalom’s government gained more prestige when one of David’s top aides defected to his side. This genuinely hurt David; he described his feelings in Psalm 41: Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me (Psalm 41:9).

i. Ahithophel was renowned for his wisdom and wise counsel (2 Samuel 16:23). Even wise men can take their side with divisive and destructive leaders. In Ahithophel’s case, it was probably prompted by a sense of personal hurt and bitterness because of what David did to Ahithophel’s granddaughter Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3 and 23:34).

c. While he offered sacrifices: Absalom was careful to keep up his religious practices, both for the sake of image and because he was deceived enough to think that God wanted to bless him.

d. And the conspiracy grew strong: Once some people started coming to Absalom’s side, it encouraged more and more to come. Momentum for division builds because others are already causing division.

B. David escapes with the help of faithful friends. 1. (13-18) David flees from Jerusalem. Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee; or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” And the king’s servants said to the king, “We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands.” Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house. And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts. Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king.

a. Arise, and let us flee; or we shall not escape from Absalom: David knew well that Absalom was a ruthless man who valued power over principle. He didn’t want the city of Jerusalem to become a battleground (strike the city with the edge of the sword), so he fled the city.

b. The king’s…the king…the king: The writer here wanted to emphasize that David was the king, despite Absalom’s treachery.

c. The king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house: David thought – and had reason to think – that these ten women could be safely left behind. He felt he needed someone to look after the house.

i. Sadly, this also tells us that David had at least ten concubines. A concubine was essentially a legal mistress. In addition to David’s many wives, this shows that David was a man who sometimes indulged his passions instead of restraining them in a godly way.

d. All the Cherethites, all the Pelethites: These men comprised David’s personal bodyguard. The Gittites faithfully followed him from the time he lived among the Philistines (who followed him from Gath). These men who were faithful to David before he became successful also stuck with him when his success seemed to fade away.

i. It is remarkable that in this defining moment of his latter reign, foreigners rallied around David. It is more remarkable – and tragic – that his own countrymen and his own family were nowhere to be found.

e. Passed before the king: As David watched this procession leave Jerusalem and head for safety, he was greatly pained. This was reflected in the Psalm that David wrote during this time.

i. David was afraid: My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” (Psalm 55:4-8)

ii. David put his trust in God: LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. (Psalm 3:1-6)

iii. Psalms 41, 61, 62, and 63 were also written during this period.

2. (19-23) David’s faithful friends. Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place. In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you.” But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.” So David said to Ittai, “Go, and cross over.” Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over. And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness.

a. Why are you also going with us? As David watched the procession of his faithful supporters, Ittai the Gittite caught his eye. David couldn’t understand why this newly arrived foreigner took the risk of such open loyalty to David.

b. Return and remain with the king: In calling Absalom the king, David showed that he would not cling to the throne. At that moment it seemed that Absalom would succeed, so David called him the king and left it with the LORD.

c. As my lord the king lives: Ittai meant David, not Absalom. David told Ittai, “Remain with the king.” Ittai answered back, “That’s exactly what I intend to do – and you are the king.”

d. Whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be: Ittai was loyal to David when it looked certain that it would cost him something. True loyalty isn’t demonstrated until it is likely to cost something to be loyal.

i. “Remember, the more rebels there are, the more need for us to be conspicuously loyal to our King.” (Maclaren)

ii. We learn a lot from Ittai’s demonstration of loyalty.

· Ittai was loyal when David was down.

· Ittai was loyal decisively.

· Ittai was loyal voluntarily.

· Ittai was loyal though he was a new-comer to David’s cause.

· Ittai was loyal publicly.

· Ittai was loyal knowing that the fate of David was now his fate.

iii. “If Ittai, charmed with David’s person and character, though a foreigner and a stranger, felt that he could enlist beneath his banner for life – yea, and declared that he would do so there and then-how much more may you and I, if we know what Christ has done for us, and who He is and what He deserves at our hands, at this good hour plight our troth to Him and vow, ‘As the Lord liveth, surely in whatsoever place my Lord and Saviour shall be, whether in death or life, even there also shall His servant be.’” (Spurgeon)

iv. We must determine that wherever Jesus is, we will be also. Jesus lives in the heavenlies, so will we be. Jesus is with His church, so will we be. Jesus is busy in His work, so will we be. Jesus is with His children, so will we be.

e. Toward the way of the wilderness: Many years before, David left the safety of Saul’s palace to live as a fugitive. Those years in the wilderness prepared David to be king. God sent David out into the wilderness to continue the same work in his life.

i. “Ah! We do not like going over Kedron. When it comes to the pinch, how we struggle against suffering, and especially against dishonour and slander! How many there were who would have gone on pilgrimage, but that Mr. Shame proved too much for them; they could not bear to go over the black brook Kedron, could not endure to be made nothing of for the sake of the Lord of glory, but they even turned back.” (Spurgeon)

3. (24-26) David’s submission to God’s chastening. There was Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city. Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. But if He says thus: ‘I have no delight in you,’ here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.”

a. Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: The priests were loyal to David, even though it probably meant death for them if Absalom succeeded. It was good that the men who should be spiritually sensitive to Absalom’s evil and David’s good were indeed sensitive to it.

b. Carry the ark of God back into the city: David trusted in God, not in the ark of the covenant. He was willing to let the ark go back to Jerusalem and to put his fate in God’s hands.

c. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back…. if He says thus: “I have no delight in you,” here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him: David’s humble and chastened spirit proved he knew God dealt with him righteously. David submitted to God with an active submission, not a passive one.

4. (27-29) David sends the priests back to gather information. The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there.

a. Are you not a seer? David recognized that Zadok was a prophet. A man of supernatural insight might be a valuable information source for David.

5. (30) David on the Mount of Olives. So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up.

a. David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives: When Jesus went from the Last Supper to the garden of Gethsemane to pray, He essentially traced these same steps of David. Both David and Jesus suffered for sin, but Jesus suffered for our sins and David suffered for his own.

b. Wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot: These were emblems of mourning. David was struck by the greatness of this tragedy for the nation, for his family, and for himself.

i. This wasn’t a pity-party or soreness merely over the consequences of his sin. “He is crushed by the consciousness that his punishment is deserved – the bitter fruit of the sin that filled all his later life with darkness. His courage and his buoyancy have left him.” (Maclaren)

ii. “In light of all the facts it is almost certain that the tears David shed as he climbed Olivet, were rather those of humiliation and penitence, than those of self-centered regret. For Absalom there was no excuse, but David carried in his own heart ceaselessly the sense of his own past sin.” (Morgan)

iii. This shows David was a redeemed man. Some would say that God let David off easy – that he deserved the death penalty for adultery and murder. If God forgave him and spared David that penalty, surely David would just do it again. Those who think this way do not understand how grace and forgiveness work in the heart of the redeemed. David’s sin was ever before him – and in a strange combination of deep gratitude and horror over his forgiven sin, David never did it again.

6. (31-37) David hears of Ahithophel’s defection to Absalom. Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God; there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me. But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father’s servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,’ then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me. And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? Therefore it will be that whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall tell to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. Indeed they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear.” So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.

a. Turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness: David knew that Ahithophel was normally a good advisor, but he prayed that he would give foolish counsel to Absalom.

i. “This was done accordingly: great is the power of faithful prayer. The queen-mother of Scotland was heard to say, that she more feared the prayers of John Knox than an army of fighting men.” (Trapp)

b. David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God: David’s life was in danger and he had to flee. Yet he took time to stop at the top of the Mount of Olives, look back upon Jerusalem and the tabernacle, and he worshiped God. David knew worship was always important and he could worship when circumstances were bad.

c. Then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me: David sent his other aide Hushai back to Jerusalem to frustrate Ahithophel’s counsel to Absalom.

d. Absalom came into Jerusalem: Absalom came into Jerusalem as a cunning, wicked rebel. David came into Jerusalem as a brave, noble conqueror (2 Samuel 5:6-7). Jesus came into Jerusalem as a servant-king (Matthew 21:4-10).

2 Samuel 14 – Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

A. Joab intercedes for Absalom.

• (1-3) Joab’s plan to reconcile David and Absalom. So Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was concerned about Absalom. And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman, and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel; do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has been mourning a long time for the dead. Go to the king and speak to him in this manner.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.”

• a. Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was concerned about Absalom: David was obviously troubled by his estranged relationship with Absalom. Joab, David’s chief general, perceived this and decided to do something to bring David and Absalom back together.

  • i. “In the case of Absalom and the king, the relationship remained
    virtually deadlocked, neither side having the spiritual incentive to break it.” (Baldwin)

  • ii. We know that Joab was fiercely loyal to David, and he may have done this to protect David. Joab figured that it was dangerous to have Absalom stewing away in a distant country and felt that the safest thing to do was to bring about reconciliation between father and son.

• b. Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman: Joab decided to soften David’s heart towards Absalom by bringing a widow before him with a similar story of estrangement from her son.

  • i. (4-11) The woman of Tekoa tells a story of one son dead and another son threatened with death. And when the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and prostrated herself, and said, “Help, O king!” Then the king said to her, “What troubles you?” And she answered, “Indeed I am a widow, my husband is dead. Now your maidservant had two sons; and the two fought with each other in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and killed him. And now the whole family has risen up against your maidservant, and they said, ‘Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may execute him for the life of his brother whom he killed; and we will destroy the heir also.’ So they would extinguish my ember that is left, and leave to my husband neither name nor remnant on the earth.” Then the king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you.” And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, let the iniquity be on me and on my father’s house, and the king and his throne be guiltless.” So the king said, “Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch you anymore.” Then she said, “Please let the king remember the LORD your God, and do not permit the avenger of blood to destroy anymore, lest they destroy my son.” And he said, “As the LORD lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the ground.”

a. Help, O king: In ancient Israel, those who felt that their local judges didn’t treat them fairly had access to the court of the king himself.

b. Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may execute him for the life of his brother whom he killed: The woman of Tekoa referred to the custom of the avenger of blood. The avenger of blood had the responsibility of avenging the death of a member of the family.

i. The cities of refuge mentioned in Numbers 35:9-34 were meant to protect someone guilty of manslaughter from being killed by an avenger of blood before the case could be heard properly.

c. As the LORD lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the ground: This was what the woman – and Joab behind her – waited to hear. In saying this, David ignored the cause of justice for the sake of family sympathy and loyalty. In personal relationships, it is a good and glorious thing to be generous with forgiveness and mercy when we are wronged. But David had a responsibility as the king and chief judge of Israel, and when he was sorely tempted to neglect that responsibility, he did neglect it.

i. “He guaranteed safety at the expense of justice, and immediately the farsighted woman captured him in her trap.” (Redpath)

ii. Several factors made this woman’s appeal successful.

· She was a widow, which would invite sympathy.

· She lived at some distance from Jerusalem, which made it difficult to easily know or inquire into the facts of her case.

· She was old, which gave more dignity to her story.

· She wore the clothes of mourning to heighten the effect.

· She brought a case of family estrangement to David.

· She brought a case that was not too similar, lest it arouse David’s suspicions.

3. (12-17) The woman of Tekoa applies her story to David and Absalom. Therefore the woman said, “Please, let your maidservant speak another word to my lord the king.” And he said, “Say on.” So the woman said: “Why then have you schemed such a thing against the people of God? For the king speaks this thing as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring his banished one home again. For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him. Now therefore, I have come to speak of this thing to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. And your maidservant said, ‘I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his maidservant. For the king will hear and deliver his maidservant from the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together from the inheritance of God.’ Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.’”

a. The king does not bring his banished one home again: The woman of Tekoa spoke boldly to David, confronting his sin of not initiating reconciliation with Absalom. Because he was estranged from David and growing more and more bitter, Absalom was a threat to Israel and David allowed it (Why then have you schemed such a thing against the people of God?).

i. David had some responsibility to initiate reconciliation. If David approached Absalom, he might be rejected, but he still had the responsibility to try. Yet as king and chief judge of Israel, he also had a responsibility to both initiate reconciliation and to do it the right way. David will not succeed in this.

ii. “He is willing to pardon the meanest of his subjects the murder of a brother at the instance of a poor widow, and he is not willing to pardon his son Absalom, whose restoration to favour is the desire of the whole nation.” (Clarke)

b. We will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground: The woman of Tekoa wisely spoke to David about the urgency of reconciliation. “David, we all die and then the opportunity for reconciliation is over. Do it now.”

c. But He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him: The woman of Tekoa meant, “Find a way to do it, David. God finds a way to bring us back to Himself.” It is true that God finds a way – but not at the expense of justice. God reconciles us by satisfying justice, not by ignoring justice.

i. This is one of the best gospel texts in the Old Testament. If we are under the chastening of God, we may feel like banished ones. Yet we can accept the place of being banished, but still belonging to Him and trusting Him to bring us back to Him. If we must be banished, may we be His banished ones.

ii. God has devised a way to bring the banished back to Him that they might not be expelled from Him. The way is through the person and work of Jesus, and how He stood in the place of guilty sinners as He hung on the cross and received the punishment that we deserved.

4. (18-20) David asks the woman of Tekoa if Joab prompted her. Then the king answered and said to the woman, “Please do not hide from me anything that I ask you.” And the woman said, “Please, let my lord the king speak.” So the king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?” And the woman answered and said, “As you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken. For your servant Joab commanded me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your maidservant. To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth.”

a. Is the hand of Joab with you in all this? David somehow knew that a plan this subtle had to come from the hand of Joab.

b. He put all these words in the mouth of your maidservant: Joab orchestrated this with precision. He knew exactly what strings to pull in David. Joab was loyal to David, but it was not selfless loyalty.

5. (21-24) Absalom returns to Jerusalem but not to David. And the king said to Joab, “All right, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, bring back the young man Absalom.” Then Joab fell to the ground on his face and bowed himself, and thanked the king. And Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has fulfilled the request of his servant.” So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. And the king said, “Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king’s face.

a. Bring back the young man Absalom: Joab got what he wanted and what he thought was best for the nation of Israel. He hoped that Absalom’s reconciliation with David would prevent a rebellion.

b. Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face: David was overindulgent with his sons in the past (such as when he got angry but did nothing against Amnon in 2 Samuel 13:21). Now David is too harsh with Absalom, refusing to see him after he had been in exile in Geshur for three years (2 Samuel 13:38).

i. When parents don’t discipline properly from the beginning, they tend to overcompensate in the name of “toughness.” This often provokes the children to wrath (Ephesians 6:4) and makes the parent-child relationship worse.

B. Absalom gains an audience with his father. 1. (25-27) Absalom’s handsome appearance. Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his head; at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him; when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king’s standard. To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance.

a. In all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks: This begins to explain why Absalom was popular in Israel. Israel was attracted to King Saul because he was a very good-looking man (1 Samuel 9:2).

i. Absalom was also a man of political destiny. He was the third son of David (2 Samuel 3:2-5). The firstborn Amnon was gone, and we hear nothing more of Chileab, the second born. It is likely that Absalom was the crown prince, next in line for the throne.

b. He weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels: Absalom had such a great head of hair that he cut five and one-half pounds of hair off his head every year.

i. “He was extremely proud of his long hair, and he lost his life because of it.” (Redpath)

c. One daughter whose name was Tamar: Absalom was a man of deep and sympathetic feeling. He memorialized his wronged sister Tamar by naming a daughter after her.

2. (28-32) Absalom is refused audience with the king. And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king’s face. Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come. So he said to his servants, “See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. Then Joab arose and came to Absalom’s house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?” And Absalom answered Joab, “Look, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.”‘ Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; but if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me.”

a. Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king’s face: During these two years, we can imagine that Absalom grew more and more bitter against David. He was reconciled but only partially. David offered only a partial, incomplete reconciliation.

i. Absalom was banished from Israel because he murdered his brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13). Yet Absalom felt entirely justified in killing the man who raped his sister. His sense of justification made the bitterness against David more intense.

b. Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire: Frustrated that he could not see his father, Absalom burnt Joab’s fields to get his attention. This showed how brutal and amoral Absalom was.

i. It’s hard to think of a greater contrast than that between Absalom and the prodigal son of Jesus’ parable. The prodigal son came back humble and repentant. Absalom came back burning Joab’s fields.

ii. At the same time, sometimes God gets our attention by setting our “barley field” on fire. “He, knowing that we will not come by any other means, sendeth a serious trial – he sets our barley-field on fire, which he has a right to do, seeing our barley-fields are far more his than they are ours.” (Spurgeon)

c. If there is any iniquity in me, let him execute me: This statement reflects Absalom’s sense that he was fully justified in what he did.

3. (33) David receives Absalom. So Joab went to the king and told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom.

a. So Joab went to the king and told him: As brutal and amoral as Absalom was, it worked. Burning Joab’s fields got his attention and made Joab intercede on Absalom’s behalf.

b. He came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground: Absalom outwardly submits to David, but David’s two-year refusal to reconcile left a legacy of bitterness in Absalom that turned out badly for David, for Absalom, and for Israel.

c. Then the king kissed Absalom: David offered Absalom forgiveness without any repentance or resolution of the wrong. In personal relationships, it is often a sign of love and graciousness to overlook a wrong. Proverbs 10:12 says, Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. But as king of Israel, this was more than a personal matter with David. He was the “chief judge” of Israel and David excused and overlooked Absalom’s obvious crimes.

i. “He should have kicked him rather; and not have hardened him to further villainy.” (Trapp)

ii. “David’s forgiveness of Absalom was completely inadequate, leading to a further outbreak of sin. God’s forgiveness of a man’s soul is completely adequate, and a great deterrent to continued sin.” (Redpath)

iii. “May God write it on your soul: if the pardon you want is that God should wink at your sin, He will not do it.” (Redpath)

Sunday School Lesson: Samuel Confronting King David Over His Sin with Bathsheba

Lesson Overview Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel 12:1-14

Main Theme: God’s justice and mercy; the consequences of sin; repentance and restoration.

1. Introduction to the Story Context: David's sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).

David commits adultery with Bathsheba.

He arranges the death of her husband, Uriah.

Bathsheba becomes pregnant.

Setting the Scene: God sends the prophet Nathan to confront David.

2. Nathan’s Approach Nathan Tells a Parable (2 Samuel 12:1-7):

A rich man with many sheep takes the only lamb of a poor man.

David’s anger at the injustice leads to his own conviction.

Nathan declares, "You are the man!"

Lesson Takeaway: Sin often blinds us to our own faults. God uses His Word to bring us to awareness.

3. Confrontation and Accountability Nathan’s Reproof (2 Samuel 12:7-9):

God reminds David of His blessings: delivered from Saul, made king, and given Saul’s house.

David’s sin was not just against Bathsheba and Uriah, but against God.

The severity of David’s sin: He violated God's law and led others into sin.

Lesson Takeaway: Sin is never just a personal matter; it affects our relationship with God and others.

4. Consequences of David’s Sin Personal and National Consequences (2 Samuel 12:10-14):

David’s household will experience conflict (David’s children will turn against him):

• 3rd son Absalom will lead a revolt against an old King David (killed by Joab, see 1 Chronicles 3:1-2)

• 4th son Adonijah (2 Samuel 3:4) attempted to usurp the throne during the life of David (1 Kings 1:11ff). Solomon had him executed after being warned to remember his place in the line of succession per King David’s instruction regarding the crown. (1 Kings 1:32–35)

The child born to Bathsheba will die.

David's actions have a lasting impact on the nation.

Lesson Takeaway: Sin has consequences, and sometimes those consequences extend beyond the individual.

5. David’s Repentance David’s Confession (2 Samuel 12:13):

David acknowledges his sin: “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Nathan assures David that God has forgiven him.

Lesson Takeaway: True repentance involves acknowledging our sin, taking responsibility, and turning back to God.

6. God’s Mercy and Forgiveness God’s Response (2 Samuel 12:13-14):

David will not die because of his sin, but the child will.

God forgives David, but the consequences remain.

Lesson Takeaway: God’s mercy is greater than our sin, but there are still natural consequences for our actions.

7. Application for Our Lives Reflect on Our Own Sin:

What areas in our lives are we hiding from God? Are we ready to face our mistakes and repent?

The Power of Repentance:

God is always ready to forgive, but true repentance means changing our ways and seeking His help.

The Call to Accountability:

Do we have people in our lives who can lovingly call us out when we are wrong? Are we willing to listen?

8. Key Takeaways Sin’s Consequences Are Real: No matter how small or hidden, sin has far-reaching effects.

God Confronts Us Out of Love: Like Nathan, God will speak truth to us, even when it’s hard to hear.

Repentance Leads to Restoration: When we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive and restore us.

God’s Mercy and Justice: While God is just, He is also merciful, offering forgiveness even when we deserve punishment.

9. Closing Prayer Pray for the strength to recognize and repent of sin in our lives, and for the grace to walk in God’s forgiveness.

Sunday School Lesson: The Story of King David and Bathsheba Theme: The Consequences of Sin and God's Mercy

Key Scripture: 2 Samuel 11-12

Introduction (5 minutes)

Briefly introduce King David as a man after God's own heart, a great king, but also a flawed human being.

Explain that today's lesson will focus on a significant event in David's life that teaches us important lessons about sin, repentance, and God's forgiveness.

Lesson Outline

I. David's Temptation and Sin (2 Samuel 11:1-5)

A. David's Idleness Leads to Temptation (2 Samuel 11:1-2)

Talking Point: While his army was at war, David remained in Jerusalem, leading to a dangerous period of inactivity. This highlights how idleness can open doors to temptation.

B. The Sight of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2-3)

Talking Point: David saw Bathsheba bathing and was captivated by her beauty. This shows how external stimuli can trigger lust if not controlled.

C. David Inquires About Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3)

Talking Point: Despite knowing she was married, David actively sought more information about her, moving from observation to pursuit.

D. David Takes Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:4-5)

Talking Point: David sent for Bathsheba and lay with her, resulting in her pregnancy. This was a clear act of adultery, abusing his power as king.

II. David's Attempt to Cover Up His Sin (2 Samuel 11:6-27)

A. Bringing Uriah Home (2 Samuel 11:6-9)

Talking Point: David tried to trick Uriah into going home to his wife, hoping to make it appear that Uriah was the father of Bathsheba's child.

B. Uriah's Loyalty and Integrity (2 Samuel 11:9-13)

Talking Point: Uriah, a man of great integrity, refused to enjoy comforts while his fellow soldiers were on the battlefield. His righteousness contrasts sharply with David's sin.

C. David's Deceptive Letter (2 Samuel 11:14-17)

Talking Point: David escalated his sin by sending a letter with Uriah, instructing Joab to place Uriah in the thick of battle to ensure his death. This act of pre-meditated murder was a dark stain on David's character.

D. Uriah's Death and Bathsheba's Mourning (2 Samuel 11:17-27)

Talking Point: Uriah was killed, and Bathsheba mourned his death. David then took Bathsheba as his wife, believing his secret was safe.

III. Nathan's Confrontation and David's Repentance (2 Samuel 12:1-15)

A. God Sends Nathan to David (2 Samuel 12:1)

Talking Point: God, who sees everything, did not allow David's sin to go unaddressed. He sent the prophet Nathan to confront David.

B. Nathan's Parable of the Rich Man and the Poor Man's Lamb (2 Samuel 12:1-4)

Talking Point: Nathan used a relatable story to help David see the injustice of his actions without initially revealing the direct accusation.

C. David's Righteous Indignation (2 Samuel 12:5-6)

Talking Point: David's anger at the rich man in the parable demonstrates his capacity for justice, highlighting the irony of his own grave sin.

D. Nathan's Direct Accusation (2 Samuel 12:7-9)

Talking Point: Nathan boldly declared, "You are the man!" exposing David's sin and reminding him of God's blessings and David's ingratitude.

E. Consequences Announced (2 Samuel 12:10-12)

Talking Point: Nathan prophesied the severe consequences of David's sin: trouble within his own household, public humiliation, and the death of the child born from the affair.

F. David's Confession (2 Samuel 12:13a)

Talking Point: David immediately confessed, "I have sinned against the Lord." This humble admission is a crucial turning point, showing genuine repentance.

G. God's Forgiveness and Continued Consequences (2 Samuel 12:13b-15)

Talking Point: While God forgave David's sin, the announced consequences, including the death of the child, would still come to pass. This teaches us that while God forgives, our actions often have natural consequences.

IV. The Consequences and God's Mercy (2 Samuel 12:15-25)

A. The Child's Illness and Death (2 Samuel 12:15-18)

Talking Point: The child became ill and died, fulfilling Nathan's prophecy. David's intense mourning shows his pain and understanding of the consequence.

B. David's Acceptance and Worship (2 Samuel 12:19-20)

Talking Point: After the child's death, David's response was to worship God, demonstrating his faith and acceptance of God's will, even in sorrow.

C. God's Continued Blessing (2 Samuel 12:24-25)

Talking Point: Despite his sin, God showed mercy to David and Bathsheba by blessing them with another son, Solomon, through whom the Messiah would eventually come. This highlights God's grace and redemptive power.

Conclusion and Application (5-10 minutes)

Review Key Takeaways:

Sin has serious consequences, even for those who are close to God.

Idleness and unchallenged temptation can lead to grave sin.

Trying to cover up sin only makes it worse.

God sees everything and will bring hidden sins to light.

Genuine confession and repentance lead to God's forgiveness.

Even when forgiven, there can still be natural consequences to our actions.

God's mercy and grace are abundant, even in the face of our failures.

Discussion Questions:

What can we learn from David's mistakes to avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives?

Why is it important to confess our sins to God immediately?

How does this story show us both God's justice and His mercy?

Prayer: Lead a prayer acknowledging God's holiness, confessing our own tendency to sin, and thanking Him for His forgiveness and grace.

Tuesday evening updates to Scarlet Horizons on January 02, 2024: I've uploaded maps on the Prelacy of Middenmark and of Eastdale.

I made my second post in the Battlebeard campaign. King Crumwich Ironfist has floated the idea of Prince Xav (Xavamros III) leading a push to retake the ancient dwarven settlement of Gundgathol.

G. texted. Looks like our table-top AD&D campaign is a go for Friday evening, January 05th.