Day 1 2 Samuel 13-15 Day 2 Psalms 3; 4; 13; 28; 55 Day 3 2 Samuel 16-18 Day 4 Psalms 26; 40-41; 58; 61; 62; 64 Day 5 2 Samuel 19-21; Psalms 5; 38; 42 Day 6 2 Samuel 22-23; Psalm 57; Week 20
This is an interesting story. David reviews his troops to assess the situation he and his followers face concerning Absalom. Though only a small contingent originally left Jerusalem with David, the term "thousands" (18:1, 4) indicates many have rallied to his cause, to the point where he is able to divide his army into three companies (verse 2). Initially he is determined to lead this fighting force himself. But this is no ordinary national war. Instead, it is a conflict over David's kingship — in which the death of David would spell the end of the war. So his men convince him to remove himself from fighting so as not to jeopardize their cause. David gives orders that his son Absalom not be harmed. David is showing partiality to his son rather than dealing with him as the situation demands. Absalom has raised his hand to destroy God's anointed king. When someone else claimed to have done this in regard to Saul, David ordered his execution (2 Samuel 1:14-15). The king in this case is Absalom's father. Under Mosaic Law, the punishment for striking or even cursing one's parents — and raising an armed rebellion to kill one's father — is death (Exodus 21:15, 17). It is interesting to see Absalom's forces referred to as "Israel" and the "people of Israel" (2 Samuel 18:6-7). This must have been a popular uprising — but this "army of the people" proves no match against David's experienced troops. And the thick woods, rather than concealing and aiding their escape, "devoured more people that day than the sword devoured" (verse 8). Perhaps many died from forest-related injuries, exhaustion, entanglement, exposure, wild animals, etc. The verse could also mean that the forest hindered those fleeing from the field of battle so David's men could more easily catch them. Whatever the case, I thought it is a cool observation concerning the part nature played in the outcome — for nature falls within the providence of God, doesn't it?
Isn't it interesting that Absalom himself is trapped by a tree (verse 9). We are told that it is his head that becomes caught, but this must be due to his thick, long hair. Earlier in 2 Samuel 14:25-26, there is mention of Absalom's good looks and thick hair. Because of these features and the praise he received for them, Absalom gave into vanity — as is clear from the fact that he liked to flaunt his hair by letting it grow long, cutting it only once a year, and then broadcasting the impressive weight of the cut hair (about five pounds). His addiction to narcissism ultimately contributed to his plot to usurp the throne of Israel and attempt to murder his father. It is an interesting case of poetic justice that his hair plays a key part in his ultimate death. While Absalom is hanging in the tree, Joab, one of David top commanders, kills him — apparently convinced he is doing the right thing. However, it should be pointed out that Joab violated the king's direct command ("Do not harm my son") — which he has no right to do. Hearing news of the victory of his own forces, David's only concern is for Absalom. On learning of his death, David slumps into grief and mourning. The fact that he is inconsolable spreads through the troops. Joab marches in to David and tells him that such behavior is insulting to all his soldiers (19:5-6). What is even more fascinating is David's victorious fighting men do not come back to the city with fanfare or a "ticker-tape parade." Rather, they sneak back into the city trying to escape notice. This is sadly pathetic, and Joab is right to point it out to David. The king responds by taking his seat in the gate of the city — the place of civil government where judgment is typically administered. The statement that "all the people came before the king" (verse 8) implies that David is following Joab's advice by expressing appreciation to them for their loyalty and help during the recent fighting.
Through this story we see how indulgent David was concerning his sons. Maybe not the way Eli was with his, but he was accommodating, nevertheless. It shows as a story that even those who love the Lord are not always steady in their Christian walk. David made some doozies for mistakes, yet God must have understood where David's heart was and David was always one to repent. The Psalms he wrote during his reign indicate he not only repented but gave God the glory in everything.
This is an interesting story. David reviews his troops to assess the situation he and his followers face concerning Absalom. Though only a small contingent originally left Jerusalem with David, the term "thousands" (18:1, 4) indicates many have rallied to his cause, to the point where he is able to divide his army into three companies (verse 2). Initially he is determined to lead this fighting force himself. But this is no ordinary national war. Instead, it is a conflict over David's kingship — in which the death of David would spell the end of the war. So his men convince him to remove himself from fighting so as not to jeopardize their cause.
ReplyDeleteDavid gives orders that his son Absalom not be harmed. David is showing partiality to his son rather than dealing with him as the situation demands. Absalom has raised his hand to destroy God's anointed king. When someone else claimed to have done this in regard to Saul, David ordered his execution (2 Samuel 1:14-15). The king in this case is Absalom's father. Under Mosaic Law, the punishment for striking or even cursing one's parents — and raising an armed rebellion to kill one's father — is death (Exodus 21:15, 17).
It is interesting to see Absalom's forces referred to as "Israel" and the "people of Israel" (2 Samuel 18:6-7). This must have been a popular uprising — but this "army of the people" proves no match against David's experienced troops. And the thick woods, rather than concealing and aiding their escape, "devoured more people that day than the sword devoured" (verse 8). Perhaps many died from forest-related injuries, exhaustion, entanglement, exposure, wild animals, etc. The verse could also mean that the forest hindered those fleeing from the field of battle so David's men could more easily catch them. Whatever the case, I thought it is a cool observation concerning the part nature played in the outcome — for nature falls within the providence of God, doesn't it?
Isn't it interesting that Absalom himself is trapped by a tree (verse 9). We are told that it is his head that becomes caught, but this must be due to his thick, long hair. Earlier in 2 Samuel 14:25-26, there is mention of Absalom's good looks and thick hair. Because of these features and the praise he received for them, Absalom gave into vanity — as is clear from the fact that he liked to flaunt his hair by letting it grow long, cutting it only once a year, and then broadcasting the impressive weight of the cut hair (about five pounds). His addiction to narcissism ultimately contributed to his plot to usurp the throne of Israel and attempt to murder his father. It is an interesting case of poetic justice that his hair plays a key part in his ultimate death.
ReplyDeleteWhile Absalom is hanging in the tree, Joab, one of David top commanders, kills him — apparently convinced he is doing the right thing. However, it should be pointed out that Joab violated the king's direct command ("Do not harm my son") — which he has no right to do.
Hearing news of the victory of his own forces, David's only concern is for Absalom. On learning of his death, David slumps into grief and mourning. The fact that he is inconsolable spreads through the troops. Joab marches in to David and tells him that such behavior is insulting to all his soldiers (19:5-6). What is even more fascinating is David's victorious fighting men do not come back to the city with fanfare or a "ticker-tape parade." Rather, they sneak back into the city trying to escape notice. This is sadly pathetic, and Joab is right to point it out to David.
The king responds by taking his seat in the gate of the city — the place of civil government where judgment is typically administered. The statement that "all the people came before the king" (verse 8) implies that David is following Joab's advice by expressing appreciation to them for their loyalty and help during the recent fighting.
Through this story we see how indulgent David was concerning his sons. Maybe not the way Eli was with his, but he was accommodating, nevertheless. It shows as a story that even those who love the Lord are not always steady in their Christian walk. David made some doozies for mistakes, yet God must have understood where David's heart was and David was always one to repent. The Psalms he wrote during his reign indicate he not only repented but gave God the glory in everything.
ReplyDelete