Absalom

Good King Bad Parent

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

David’s Kingdom Restored

Chapters 19 through 21

The true characteristics of a good king can be seen in these passages.

Even with all his mistakes as a human being David was still a good king.

Absalom had tried to destroy the kingship of his own father and take over as Israel’s new king, but he had failed.

He failed because his father was a warrior king and Absalom had no experience in leading a nation or the military.

The main reason Absalom had failed was the fact that Jehovah had chosen David to be King of Israel and not Absalom.

It had caused the death of Absalom and another son of David had lost his life.

We must see that our children will follow in our footsteps so we need to lead our own lives in a Godly manner, praying that they follow this path rather than a wicked and corrupt path.

Why are Joe Biden’s children so corrupt? It is because Mr. Biden has been a corrupt politician all his days.

Absalom had divided Israel and David would have to reunite this nation once again.

We can be sure that all the surrounding nations were looking at Israel because of all these things and Israel had begun to look like a weak nation.

A divided nation is always a weaker nation!

The Jews are known to be a stiff necked and disobedient people and they needed a strong leader just as they have today.

To the world America looks like a weak nation today and you can bet wicked nations have their eyes upon us. and those nations that are led by tyrants are laughing at our leaders.

I dare say that if Biden remains president after this next election, America will be drawn into war because him and his policies have made America to be so weak.

We must pray for our leaders no matter who they are!

Only through the salvation of our leaders can they change the way they think!

How did King David restore the nation of Israel?

*2Sa 19:1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
2Sa 19:2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.

David was a king who could be touched by his mistakes and learn from them.

What Joab and much of Israel saw as a great victory, King David could only see the loss of his son!

We all mourn for the death of our children!

Much of Israel could not understand the emotions of King David, after all, Absalom would have killed him and taken over the Kingship of Israel.

It was a rebellion that could have had dire consequences.

Most of us find it hard to know why David had fled Jerusalem, but it was because King David wanted Jerusalem to always be a city of peace as the name reflects.

In fact, the Lord has commanded that we pray for this and also promises blessings when we do.

Psa_122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

Not only are we to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, but we will also be rewarded for doing so!

David knew in his heart that his sin had been the main cause of the things that happened to Israel and we should know that this was another reason for his mourning.

David knew he was to blame for all these things even more than Absalom was to blame.

Because of these things David and those with him returned to Jerusalem without much fanfare.

*2Sa 19:3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
2Sa 19:4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!

Those with David could not feel victorious while their king could only think of the death of his son.

Out of respect for the king’s sorrow, his army came into the city silently in small parties as if they were disgraced fugitives, rather than shouts of triumph for their great victory.

It was a great victory as far as a battle goes, but everyone that died was a citizen of Israel and not just Absalom.

In fact most of the dead were of the ten tribes of Israel and not so much of Judah.

King David covered his face because he certainly felt shame and he knew he was more to blame than anyone else.

When our sin causes harm to our families then we should feel shame!

Many times our children follow in our footsteps and we need to be sure we are leading them on the right path.

The choices we make in life can also affect many other people!

It was time for David to take responsibility for his actions and begin the work to restore Israel as a nation.

*2Sa 19:5 And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;
2Sa 19:6 In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.

We have seen Joab at his worst and at his best, but we cannot discard his loyalty to King David.

Joab was quick to see answers to problems and it was time for David to be King and later work on his ability to be a father to his children.

We could see Joab as unfeeling and he was, but David did not need to throw away the fruits of his victory.

He would never regain his nation by showing his emotions to a son that grew an army to kill him and take control of Israel.

Had Absalom had the victory he would have certainly killed his father and all his brothers and probably many others who had fled with David.

Absalom’s rapid success also proved to David that he had many enemies in Israel.

The death of Absalom had only proven that he was a worthless son and none of David’s sons were worthy to be the next king but Solomon the son of Bathsheba who she was raising right, according to the Word of God.

Solomon gained much of his wisdom from his mother.

It was time for David to be King David again.

*2Sa 19:7 Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.
2Sa 19:8 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.

Those who had supported Absalom began to debate if they truly wanted David to be King of all of Israel again.

When the king went and sat at the gate of Israel, probably all his people and his army came and passed in review before him.

David had saved the nation of Israel from years of anarchy and a fresh civil war and he had saved Jerusalem from certain destruction.

Those that supported Absalom had fled to their tents which means they all left Jerusalem and went home with the tales of what had happened.

The hearts of these people had been after Absalom who was now dead.

2Sa 15:13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

Twenty thousand fellow Israelites had fallen in this battle to usurp the throne of King David.

Over ten thousand of them had died because of the location that King David had chosen to set up his ambush.

Israel was still in turmoil, as many others mourned the death of their own sons and had no pity for King David.

*2Sa 19:9 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.
2Sa 19:10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?

Notice that our Scripture says “all of Israel” for those who had chosen Absalom, but “all of Judah” is referred to as the servants of David.

In order for these tribes of Israel to accept Absalom they would have had to renounce King David and David knew this.

This is why King David did not return until the nations summoned him back.

Had Absalom lived these people were bound by their decision to make Absalom their king, but he had not lived, so they would have to agree that David was to be their king again.

Israel was not in one accord for David at this time.

Some of the older still remembered the attacks of the Philistines and how David had saved them from these things, which was a good thing.

The younger had nothing to base their favor upon as to King David.

Many believed that David was so flawed that he could not be a good king ever again.

This is what happens when a child of God sinks into deep sin, even though they are forgiven by the Lord, they may never be able to be a good servant of the Lord and the world does forget sin so easily, as does Jehovah.

In reality, there was no real reason not to bring back David as King of Israel!

These tribes of Israel presented one stipulation that King David would see that Amasa would replace Joab as general of the Armies of Israel.

Amasa was the son of Abigail, a sister to King David.

Joab was the son of Zeruiah another David’s sisters.

*2Sa 19:14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
2Sa 19:15 So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.

We must understand that life duties do not cease just because we are having a bad day!

We should also understand that as David was restored to his throne, we also see a type of Christ as the Lord Jesus will return one day, He will claim the throne of His father David.

The Lord Jesus will put down the rebellion of a world turned to the Antichrist!

We can see Absalom as a type of the Antichrist in these passages.

The Lord Jesus will not only be King of Israel, but He will also be King of this entire world and rule for one thousand years from Jerusalem and there will be a peace that this world has never seen!

The rightful King, King Jesus will return to Jerusalem as did King David!

David had won an easy and a complete victory over Absalom!

We can almost show pity to David if not for the fact we know the truth of David and the things he had done, but he had been forgiven and who are we to not forgive those the Lord has forgiven?

We must forgive those that the Lord has forgiven or we cannot be a true Christian!

David could not mourn for his son until these other things were accomplished.

It was not David who rebelled against these people, it was they who had rebelled against King David, and it was they who should invite him back to the kingdom of Israel.

Many who had cursed David had now repented and welcomed him back to the kingdom.

Even Mephibosheth came to welcome David with a story about Ziba.

If we remember Ziba had brought a different story about Mephibosheth and David did not know the real truth.

Being Judge of Israel and not know the truth of them, David divided the lands of Saul between Ziba and Mephibosheth.

Barzilla who was 80 years old came had welcomed David. This man had supplied the things David and his men needed during his exile and David wanted to reward him.

We pick our lesson back up here.

*2Sa 19:33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
2Sa 19:34 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?

We must understand we will not be rewarded by the Lord for just being obedient to the Word of God.

The reward for this is our salvation and our eternal life in Heaven.

It is when we go above what we are commanded to do that we earn rewards.

Winning souls to the Lord is where we earn our greatest rewards!

The more we are like the Lord Jesus Christ, the greater our rewards will be!

Barzilla had a strong loyalty to the King David and this is the loyalty we need to show to the Lord.

What are we to do?

We are to begin with these things:

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

We must never forget that those who have given their hearts to the Lord and confessed their sins, become the Lord’s brothers and sisters and as His family we are also heirs to His rewards.

After this we are to be kind to one another:

Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Just like Barzilla, as we grow older, we have very little interest in this world and are prepared to meet our Savior.

Barzilla had been very rich himself and even those small pleasures that come from riches no longer were of interest to him.

Money simply cannot buy happiness no more than it can buy our salvation!

We must also not be distressed as we get older, we are almost at home!

We will be going to a place far greater than any paradise upon this earth and we will live eternally in this place called Heaven.

Doing deeds for others makes us feel better than any riches!

Barzilla did have one request.

*2Sa 19:37 Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.

Chimham the son of Barzilla needed experience in a part of the world he had never seen.

Not the riches of David, he was already rich, but the workings of government and the pageantry of royalty while maintaining a relationship with Jehovah.

King David would later commend Chimham with his brothers to the care of Solomon.

1Ki 2:7 But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.

But, as we know, there are always troublemakers in every crowd.

*2Sa 20:1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
2Sa 20:2 So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.

There was a great need for unity, peace, and faithfulness, but there are always those who reject these things.

There are always those who thrive on division in every nation, and nothing will ever please them.

Sheba was a worthless and wicked man.

What would normally be a call to disperse and return to their homes became a call to join this wicked man in rebellion.

Having just gone through the rebellion with Absalom, the nation of Israel chose to come back together under King David, a wise choice.

It was of the mothers of Israel who decided that there had been enough war and they put a stop to this man named Sheba.

*2Sa 20:21 The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
2Sa 20:22 Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.

I believe this woman decided it was not the time to lose more of the sons of Israel to a foolish war and she knew what needed to be done to stop it.

She knew how most of the people felt about ridiculous wars.

Amen

A National Leader’s Grief At the Things He Caused

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

David’s Great Grief

Book of 2 Samuel Chapters 15-18

Grief is said to be the pain of the mind produced by some loss, or misfortune, or injury, or evils of some kind. It can be sorrow or regret from the things we do ourselves. We can experience grief when one of our family members pass or one of our friends pass or we grieve at the misfortunes of others.

From the beginning of history, insurrection and mutiny have been a problem for most every government.

It happens more often when governments no longer serve the people, they were put in place to do.

Corrupt governments are the leading cause for mutiny by the people.

Many coups or rebellions are justified but there are some that are unjustified.

Whatever means available to correct the evil and unjust acts of governments must be pursued by honorable and just citizens.

We may see this happen in our own nation if corruption persist in our government.

Our own nation is more divided than it ever has been, including the time of the civil war when the North tried to abuse the South over commodities.

Only when a government executes justice and righteousness equally for all its people and protect its borders can it be supported!

When a government supports only its ring leaders it does not deserve the support of the people.

We cannot have a true government when that government is made up of those opposed to the truth of God.

Our lesson today is about a mutiny from within King David’s own family.

When we are suffering from grief from those actions of our loved ones we can only find comfort from the “Grace” of God.

King David was temporarily forced to abandon Jerusalem until he could organize his followers against the coup by his own son Absalom.

Absalom did many things to win over the people while King David became lax in his duties as King because of regret for his sin against the Lord.

King David was of little use in following the will of God at this time.

*2Sa 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

Just as soon as Absalom had gained his freedom began seeking every way he could to win over the people.

Absalom still held his father David responsible for what happened to his sister Tamar and David’s lack of discipline to Amnon and Absalom took upon himself to bring judgment upon Amnon resulting in his death.

Absalom wanted the people to support his actions.

Absalom prepared a chariot similar to what would be used for state occasions while fifty footmen ran at its side, while Absalom rode.

Much like our president’s limousine escorted by men running by its side or twenty vehicles accompanying it if it was traveling.

1Sa 8:11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

David had allowed Absalom to be restored to his royal position of crown prince of Israel, and Absalom took advantage of it in an attempt to destroy his father the King.

What else did he do?

*2Sa 15:2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

We should not think of this gate as the gate of the city because the elders and appointed judges would first handle the problems of the people at that gate.

It was the greater matters that were then sent on to the King.

Absalom stood at the gates near the entrance to the royal house of the King, his father.

We should not suppose that King David was neglecting his judicial duties.

It was those who were on their way to see the king after the elders and judges could not solve the issue they had and Absalom would stop and make them believe that he was better suited to be judge of all of Israel.

We can believe that because of his sin King David could not be a fair judge on any matter concerning such things as adultery, murder, conspiracy, and other such matters that he had been guilty of himself.

We have judges and politicians in place today who have committed gross sins and yet they keep their positions so, how could they rule or vote on matters they are guilty of.

This is known as the swamp in Washington or as one man put it this morning the sewer of Washington that leads all the way to the president.

Absalom was doing his very best to stir up a rebellion against the king, his father, who he now hated.

Absalom’s wickedness was deliberate and well considered and his grandfather, the King of Gesher, probably had coached him in many of these matters.

*2Sa 15:3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
2Sa 15:4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

Absalom would flatter each of those seeking to see the king and would always pronounce a favorable decision in each case and say how differently things would be done if he were in power.

Absalom would say there should be men appointed to investigate the evidence and take it to the king implying that the king’s decisions were just hasty and arbitrary.

What does the Bible say of such men as Absalom?

Pro_30:17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

We do know that the body of Absalom was not buried but was covered with field rocks to keep the animals away from the body.

It was true that at times the king could be overwhelmed with this task which was too heavy for one man.

Absalom did not possess the knowledge of his father and King David was still God’s man and a man after God’s own heart, but far short from being perfect as we all are.

*2Sa 15:5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
2Sa 15:6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

Absalom had set out to build a highly favorable public image of himself and it was working with those younger people who had forgotten the history of Israel before King David when the Philistines had harassed them and made slaves of them.

We may serve ourselves, strengthen our position, advance our interests, when we are serving others, but when we are doing them a disservice, encouraging them, and helping them, to do evil, we are our own enemies as well as theirs!

In the end Absalom caused the death of over twenty thousand men of the nation of Israel and his own death and David was still king because Jehovah had selected David and not Absalom.

We must be on the side of truth and honesty which in the end will always be the winning side because this is the way of the Lord.

This is the Lord’s creation and we breathe the Lord’s air because He has the Words of TRUTH that can never fail.

We are to be servants of faith in the Lord and only for this will we be recognized!

Mat_25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat_25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Absalom purposely behaved in a deceptive manner, scheming to secure political support.

Sounds just like the modern-day politician.

It is hard to get the real truth out of any of them.

Absalom received permission to go to Hebron on a false vow because he knew if he could win over the people of Hebron then he could raise an army to go against his father, which he did.

*2Sa 15:13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

Ambition had led Absalom until he had started a civil war in Israel.

A loyal messenger of King David brought him news of the actions of his son and King David elected to flee rather than to stand his ground until he could get organized.

All David knew was that the vengeance of God for his sin was taking place but it was not.

Yes, God had warned David of all these things, but God was not the cause of all these things.

God does not do evil, He allows evil to take place!

It was David’s sin that had caused these things to happen and the fact that being King of Israel had kept him from being a good parent though that was not a good excuse.

Multiple wives was David’ greatest problem with his family!

Multiple children by those wives with each being taught by mothers who worshipped idols instead of being sure his children were taught the ways of Jehovah were the next problem in his family.

David knew what was going on in his family was because he had not been the parent he should have been, and he felt too guilty to deal with it at this time.

David just knew to flee somewhat like he had to flee from King Saul.

David fled until those around him proved that they were still loyal to him.

*2Sa 15:14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
2Sa 15:15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

King David left himself no choice but to flee and to do so immediately because many in Jerusalem would be killed and God expected there to be peace in Jerusalem which was true in the time of Solomon and only now when the Lord returns to be King of Jerusalem for one thousand years and there will be true peace in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem may have been destroyed had war with Absalom occurred there.

There were many servants at the Palace all devoted to King David, but not enough to hold off an army.

David had his children and his wives to think about and their safety.

David took all his wives and his concubines but ten, which causes us to think back to the things that Nathan had told to David.

2Sa 12:11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
2Sa 12:12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

The court of David did not desert King David.

Absalom had perverted self-assurance and no proper sense of his own weaknesses.

Absalom chose evil advisers who were more like Judas Iscariot than righteous men.

In fleeing David left ten concubines behind to take care of the royal palace.

*2Sa 15:16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
2Sa 15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

The king and the officers of his court and his household brought forth a sizable number of people, but not enough to protect them.

All David’s wives and his children and all of his concubines but ten went with him, leaving ten concubines behind in charge of the palace, expecting them to be safe from harm.

Most believe that this place described as “a place described as afar off” was actually a pavilion overlooking the Kidron Valley, known as “The Far House”.

This was a place where King David stopped until all those with him were assembled to get better organized for the journey to safety.

This is also where David’s bodyguard would gather and they would cross the Kidron Valley only when everything was ready for orderly progress when they could travel at a faster pace.

A confused mob breeds panic and invites attack!

We should also notice that most of the official court officials elected to live or die with King David rather than turn to Absalom.

*2Sa 15:18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

The Cherethites and the Pelethites were mercenary soldiers, many of who had been with David when he was fleeing from King Saul and had now become David’s personal body guard and a central part of David’s army.

Benaiah was their commander and a dedicated soldier to King David.

Many of the Cherethites were of a Philistine clan who left the Philistines to be with David.

The name Pelethite means runner or courier who were also part of David’s bodyguards but would sometimes be David’s couriers to other nations or otherwise used because of their loyalty.

The Gittites of which Ittai was named were also Philistines who were loyal to King David.

Many of these men were known as mighty men of valor and great warriors who would not abandon David for any reason.

2Sa 15:21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
2Sa 15:22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

David would not allow the Ark of the Covenant to be removed from Jerusalem and sent it back by Zadok the High Priest.

If the Lord does not travel within us then He is not with us in our actions!

2Sa 15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

They could also help David better from Jerusalem and we know that God has chosen Jerusalem.

And David proceeded to cross the Mount of Olives.

*2Sa 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

The covering of the head symbolized the heavy grief that David suffered during this time and David travelled barefoot, which was a sign of deep humiliation.

Most believe that it was upon the Mount of Olives where David composed the Third Psalm.

Psa 3:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Psa 3:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
Psa 3:4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
Psa 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
Psa 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Psa 3:7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Psa 3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

No doubt that even with his faults, King David was still loved of God and a great King of Israel.

We next see Ziba bring the King and his followers some nourishment along with a story of the possible rebellion of Mephibosheth.

2Sa 16:3 And the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
2Sa 16:4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.

David did not know whether to believe him or not, but he welcomed the nourishment that he brought.

This is probably when King David elected to divide the land of Saul between Mephibosheth and Ziba which was being fair to Ziba according to the laws of Moses.

Another man related to King Saul, Shimei felt David deserved what was happening to him and cursed David with every breath and David just allowed him to do so as he did feel as if he had been cursed when he was just suffering as Jehovah had said he would.

The Word of God is never wrong and this world will soon see the reality of the truth of God!

By this time Absalom had come to Jerusalem with an army of traitors to Israel.

*2Sa 16:15 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

Ahithophel was a man of the Jews who had been David’s private councilor and among the Jews his counsels were regarded as oracles.

In other words though he was not a prophet it was believed that his councils were divinely given or he communicated the divine will of God to men.

Anybody in their right mind would have thought that such a man would never have turned against King David because David was God’s choice to be King of Israel but he did.

He also had a son named Eliam who was one of David’s bodyguards.

It is this Eliam who was considered to be the father of Bathsheba, making this Ahithophel being her grandfather and it is this thing that possibly made him turn on King David.

The Bible does not say and these things are speculation. He certainly did turn on King David and the king was alarmed that he had done so.

2Sa 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

David found a way to counteract the council of Ahithophel through another dedicated councilor named Hushai.

Again David wrote another Psalm.

Psa 55:12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
Psa 55:13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
Psa 55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

King David was better off without this excuse of a man!

He was wrong but Jehovah is always right as told by Nathan to David.

*2Sa 16:21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
2Sa 16:22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

We can see the hatred of Ahithophel and Absalom that they had for David and the Word of God holds true again.

2Sa 12:11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
2Sa 12:12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

Wickedness always seems to find its way into many families and it will find its way into our own families if we cannot walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Absalom had taken over Jerusalem without a fight because this is what King David wanted.

Over the years the City of Jerusalem has been overrun and destroyed many times but King David saw fit to not be the cause of the destruction of Jerusalem in his days.

Melchizedek was the first godly King of Jerusalem known as Salem on that day as he met with Abraham.

Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Notice there were no Muslims in that day so they do not have any legal hold to Jerusalem.

Psa 76:2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

Many believe that the place where Abraham was ready to offer Isaac was the place where Solomon built the first Temple and no doubt this thing took place on one of the hills of Moriah but it was King David who bought the land where the Temple was first built.

2Sa_24:22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.

1Ch_21:20 And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.
1Ch_21:23 And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.

King David first bought the place where the Dome of the Rock is now built by trespassers and David later bought all the land now called the Temple Mount.

We see that David bought the land of the where the Dome of the Rock was later built for fifty shekels of silver.

2Sa 24:24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
2Sa 24:25 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

We next see where David bought all the land where the Temple Mount exists for six hundred shekels of gold by weight.

1Ch 21:24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.
1Ch 21:25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
1Ch 21:26 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.

It was King David who owned all the land of the Temple Mount which he gave to the Lord for a place of worship to be built.

There were no Muslims at this time they did not exist!

Sorry to chase that rabbit but it needs to be said.

The army of King David was about to meet that army of Absalom in a terrible place for war and a place where Absalom lost his life along with many good Israelites that day.

*2Sa 18:14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
2Sa 18:15 And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.

First Joab kills Absalom and it was that long hair he was so proud of that caused him to be the target of Joab’s darts.

And David finds out about the death of his son.

*2Sa 18:32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
2Sa 18:33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

Our children may not always make us happy, but they are still our children!

Amen

Sin Causes A Family Crisis

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Trouble in David’s Family

Book of 2 Samuel Chapters 13 and 14

Trouble, what does it mean? The Webster dictionary says: To afflict; to grieve; to distress. Disturbance of mind; agitation; commotion of spirits; perplexity; That which gives disturbance, annoyance, or vexation; that which afflicts.

What we will see is that King David had his share of trouble all his remaining days.

David suffered at the hand of God but this did not cause him to be a bad parent. He did that by himself!

In fact, God will never cause us to do terrible things, it is the yielding to our sin nature that is the cause these things.

Did this trouble affect the promise God had made to David? What was that promise?

2Sa 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

What was David to learn and the reason God included all these things in the Bible? We will reap what we sow!

Job_4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

In these two Chapters we will see the beginning of David’s troubles and we will also see him fail as a parent.

*2Sa 13:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2Sa 13:2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

We can believe that only the Bible would insert such a record of the life of King David and still have believers who have confidence in the truth of the Scriptures.

I believe it is because the Lord does not hide the sin of these historical characters in the Scriptures, that we can have confidence in the truth of the Scriptures.

God does not condone sin, but the Lord Jesus died for all the sin of this world and the fact that we can believe these things happened, proves to us the actions of our own sin nature.

We must be on the alert for the actions of the Devil all the days of our lives!

When the world allows sin to go unpunished, we will see that God will not allow this to happen.

God chastises us because of sin and God’s chastisement can be very harsh.

In our world today, King David would only be guilty of attempted murder if it could be proven and it could not be proven in the days of King David because only Joab and the king knew the truth, which is except for God Himself.

It is because of David’s sin that sin entered his family.

Remember King David also had many wives and this sin will also show up as his children grew into young adults.

What had the Lord said of David’s chastisement?

2Sa 12:10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
2Sa 12:11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
2Sa 12:12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

Some of the things we will see from King David’s own family were rape, incest, revenge, deceit and murder, and there are always innocent victims.

Another thing we will see as the life of King David is opened before us is the fact that many things happen in the homes of the rich when the children are not properly taught the truth of the Scriptures and the sins of this world.

A good steward can come from rich families as well as from a poor family.

Wickedness is a terrible thing and we must defend against it in this world that is so full of it.

The recent slaughter of babies by the Palestinians called Hamas just show us how wickedness has no moral ground and nor does rape and the other atrocities that were committed upon the Jews, just because they were Jews.

This type of terrorism must be abolished along with all other forms of terrorism!

Amnon did not represent human nature that we do not see today. In fact there is so much rape done today that many do not consider it to be such an atrocity to society, but it still is.

Just like the things done by Judas Iscariot, Amnon, and later Absalom, are things we see almost daily throughout this world.

The difference between a sweet child and such corrupt men as Amnon, depends upon the views of society and our society is failing today and leaning toward the dark side of the devil.

We need a society who will express anger and indignation that cannot be mitigated or turned aside and it appears that only true Christians express these things and society does not see much danger from these things.

Certainly, the family of that person such as Amnon have the riches to try to make him completely innocent and lay the blame upon the young lady.

Why is our world so dark today? The innocent are seen as the guilty and the guilty are seen as not at fault.

It was the burning lust of Amnon for Tamar, who was also a child of his father David, which set Amnon on the path to his destruction and his death.

Amnon was at least twenty to have his own house but Tamar was probably still a teenager.

Amnon was a despicable person in his heart!

He craved and lusted so much for Tamar he became ill.

Tamar lived a pure, righteous life and Amnon could not figure out a way to get her into his possession so, a devilish schemer enters into this picture.

Tamar was the full sister of Absalom.

Sometimes our best friends are our own worst enemies!

2Sa 13:3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

Subtle in this case means; sly, cunning, crafty, deceitful, treacherous.

Jonadab was such a man.

Jonadab creates a scheme so that King David would allow his daughter Tamar to come into the possession of Tamar and he would cause her much harm all her days.

In fact we could say that Tamar never recovered from this terrible thing that happened to her!

The Bible says: Mal_1:14 But cursed be the deceiver,

Sadly, our own Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ was called a deceiver then and now, because He spoke the truth in a world that has gotten even further from the truth.

Mat_27:63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

Again this is the greatest problem in our societies today!

2Jn_1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Jonadab was a child of the Devil!

*2Sa 13:6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

Amnon pretended to be sick enough that his father King David came to check on him and the evil, wicked, scheme of Jonadab was put in place.

Now you tell me, is this not a strange request to make?

King David should have known something was happening that was just not right, but he trusted all his children to do what was right.

We cannot trust our children to always do right when they are spending time together with the wrong crowd!

No doubt David’s children, at least the boys, were hanging out with the well to do crowd of that day.

Jonadab was a cousin to Amnon.

In other words, they were a bunch of spoiled rich brats.

We must also recognize the peer pressure our children are facing today.

We must also recognize that school higher ups intentionally do things that we would object to if we knew about those things.

Sometimes I believe we have forgotten how to be parents just as King David did.

Some were taught the Word of God and some were taught that there were other gods or many gods.

This was a failure of King David as a parent.

Even this would be looked upon in reverse today, as we live in a world that rejects the truth of the Messiah and the truth of the Cross.

When we teach these things, the world will say that we are wronging our children because we live in a sinful and dark world.

Tamar would never have been alone with Amnon had it not been that she was ordered to do so by her father, King David.

In that day girls of her age were not allowed to be alone with boys of her age and older.

No doubt that all the Jewish girls were taught home economics as we would say.

I can remember when these things were taught in High School.

Cooking, sewing and many other things.

Tamar obeyed because Amnon was her brother, not her blood brother, but they both had the same father.

No doubt they had played together as small children.

She had a brother and he was Absalom.

Later when Absalom had a wife, he named his daughter Tamar after his sister who moved into his home it seems after this incident and remained there all her days in shame.

Amnon requested that everyone leave but Tamar, and he did the unthinkable to his own sister.

*2Sa 13:11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
2Sa 13:12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

Keep in mind that Amnon was heir to the throne of David at this time and it may be this one thing the reason King David did not punish Amnon.

Amnon was the prince of Israel.

The only thing we really know about Amnon is this thing he did to his sister.

Tamar begged Amnon not to do what he did.

Let us look back to the time of Jacob:

Gen 34:7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter; which thing ought not to be done.

Even today many consider Israel to be a holy nation for their relationship with Jehovah.

All acts of rape, lewdness, and indulgence in the sexual appetite, are things that just were not supposed to happen in a holy nation or in any nation.

The truth is, America is not a holy nation anymore because of these same type things and even more such things are happening in our nation because the laws concerning these things are so weak.

We should understand most of those in America do not want a holy nation or they would get off their cans and vote for changes in our government.

The Church is also far too silent because they are afraid, they will be called bigots and many other names but the truth is the truth!

We had better forget what the world calls us and remember that the Lord Jesus died for us!

If Israel and America fall, then the world will be in total chaos!

If Amnon is a type of the world and Tamar part of the holy nation of Israel of which David is king, we will see the beginning of the fall of Israel.

King David did not have it within his power to stop these things because he had been the cause of them, though this was no excuse.

Even when we are chastised of God we are still to act according to the Word of God!

It is the same for America.

We may never heal from the acts that began with Obama and continue with Biden, and America cannot survive four more years of Biden.

In fact we could say the deadly spiral America is in right now began in earnest with the Clintons.

After David came Solomon, who was wise and rich, but he held Israel together with force and taxes and at his death Israel became a divided nation.

Tamar would have nowhere to hide her shame and neither does America today!

*2Sa 13:13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
2Sa 13:14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

The crown prince of Israel refused to listen to his sister, he allowed his lust for her beauty to overcome his ties to his family.

We could say like father like son!

Amnon raped his half-sister as if she meant nothing to him because she did not!

Tamar told Amnon the truth.

Amnon was just as one of the fools of Israel.

This does not mean he was stupid or ignorant, but he was someone who had abandoned the fear of God!

At the death of Abner, David said these words:

2Sa 3:33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

How did the Lord Jesus see these things?

Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

We know that Amnon by the world’s view, would have been the next king of Israel by birth rite and he gave that opportunity away for a few moments of self-satisfaction and also destroyed the life of his half-sister and it cost him his own life.

After this thing took place, Amnon now hated his sister because it had never been about love, it was only about lust.

This is the same story behind many short marriages.

This is the same story behind most the abortions.

This is the story behind the queer movement.

This is the story behind the LBGT movement in America and in the world today.

Lust is a mode of destruction just as is all sin!

True love has been forgotten!

Amnon would fall victim to his half-brother who was a true brother to Tamar, Absalom, who was taking his time and made a certain plan to take vengeance upon his half-brother Amnon.

*2Sa 13:23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

King David had become enraged over what Amnon had done, but King David knew he was at fault for all the things he had done with Bathsheba and Uriah and he did nothing when it was still his place to discipline his children.

David piled sin upon sin rather that accepting the consequences of his sin and growing through them.

Had he done so David may have saved his son’s life!

There is never an excuse for not disciplining our children!

Pro_22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

David should have at least tried to keep his children straight!

The time of sheepshearing was a festive time of parties and the inviting of friends.

Absalom’s plan to murder his brother was coming together and he knew his father King David would not come to such an event but he asked just to make everything seem innocent.

We see that Absalom knew about deception and in fact had King David have gone Absalom would have tried to kill him.

Absalom hated his father for not punishing Amnon and this one thing was his guide his remaining days.

All the brothers or half-brothers of Absalom also hated Amnon for what he had done but they did not hater their father as did Absalom.

The things Jehovah had told the prophet Nathan to tell David were all coming true.

*2Sa 13:28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

Absalom felt himself bound in honor to avenge his sisters wrong and welcomed this opportunity to get rid of this blemish on the family of King David.

Keep in mind that with Amnon gone, Absalom was next in line for the throne of King David.

Absalom would become the new crown prince of Israel and Absalom would take advantage of this a little later.

The servants of Absalom would be used to kill Amnon just as the children of Ammon were used to kill Uriah.

God says what He means and God means what He says!

The other brothers of Absalom fled the scene and escaped to tell their father what had happened.

That old troublemaker Jonadab told the king that only Amnon had been killed and Absalom had made this plan from the time of the rape of Tamar.

Jonadab was David’s nephew and any good nephew would have informed the king of the plan of Absalom before it had taken place.

Absalom also fled but he fled to his grandfather, the King of Gesher.

This king’s daughter was the mother of Absalom and Tamar.

Gesher was located between the Sea of Galilee and Mount Hermon on the Syria side of Jordan.

David had made a covenant with this King and he had given his daughter to David to be his wife to seal that covenant of peace.

*2Sa 13:37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
2Sa 13:38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
2Sa 13:39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

After three years King David longed to see his son and the pain of the death of Amnon had now passed.

Absalom, during this time was making an even greater plan to cause harm to his father.

If we look, we can see all sorts of typology in these passages.

Next, we will see the time that Joab send a woman with an attempt to tell a parable, but all she does make a fool of herself.

Remember a parable was an earthly picture of a Heavenly truth.

King David sends Joab to bring Absalom home and as we would say, the plot thickens.

Chapter 14 verse twenty-one.

*2Sa 14:21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
2Sa 14:24 And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face.

King David had not banished Absalom, he had stayed away himself.

But for King David not to pardon Absalom for killing Amnon was a dangerous policy.

In fact, it may be that Absalom had been confined to his house on the order of King David.

During this time, to Absalom were born three sons and one daughter and he named this daughter Tamar after his sister who would live the life of a widow for what Amnon had done to her.

Absalom was showing her that he still had respect for her.

It is these types of things that caused many in Israel to take their affection from King David and show it to Absalom.

David was looked upon as a harsh father and a bad parent but praise was shown to Absalom.

*2Sa 14:25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
2Sa 14:26 And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year’s end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king’s weight.
2Sa 14:27 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

Absalom began a plan to be reconciled to his father David.

In doing so, Absalom sought the praise of all of Israel.

In reality, Absalom was conceited, arrogant, and full of himself, self-exaltation.

Absalom had more pride in his hair than he did of his nation.

We see many such things as these in our young people today!

Absalom did his best to appear as royalty.

These things were working for Absalom.

Absalom did not cut his hair until it got too heavy for him to deal with day by day.

When he did cut it and weighed it, it weighed about five or six pounds.

The daughter of Absalom was named Tamar after her aunt of the same name and it is her daughter Maachah named after her grandmother who later became a future Queen of Judah, wife to Abijah the grandson of Solomon.

As we go on through our lessons, we will see Absalom go against his father David because he never forgave his father for what happened to his sister Tamar.

Amen