Deuteronomy 30:19-20

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Monday, January 31, 2011

2 Samuel 22

2 Samuel 22

I have noticed in my prayer life before that there was one major problem in the way that I prayed. I was really good at asking God for many different things, whether it be for healing of someone who was sick, help in a tough situation I was currently in, or just general requests about life. However, one thing that I neglected to do was praise God for the many gifts He had given me. Or when a prayer request was answered, I would forget to thank Him for helping me out in that situation. Our prayer lives should not consist of just making a list of requests to God. If we truly have a relationship with Him and desire to get to know Him better, then that is not the way to communicate with Him. If someone were to ask us for various things constantly, and that was the extent of their conversations with us, I do not think we would want to keep that friendship. After a while, it would get annoying as there would be no substance to the relationship. In the same way, we should not be so limited in our prayer life. We should talk with God, which requires listening to Him as well. We can still ask for help and guidance, for He wants to be there for us, but we must also learn to not limit our prayers to only requests.


In 2 Samuel 22 we see a song from David explaining how he went to God in his time of need, one of the many times in which he had been pursued by his enemies. While David initially went to God asking for help (deliverance), he later returned to God with a spirit of thanksgiving and praise. He took the time to sit and think back on all God had done for him, how God had protected him and delivered him. Remembering God’s provision led David to a spirit of thankfulness for all God had done, and he made a point to thank God.

This song also shows how God looks out for those who follow Him. David mentions that he was a righteous man and had followed the commands of the Lord. As a result, God was sure to look after him and take care of him in his troubles. In the same way, God will look out for us. Like David, we too are God’s children, and He loves us. He will look out for us in the same way He looked out for David. Does that mean that hard times will not come? Of course not! Look at the life of David. Except for the mistake he made with Bathsheba, David lived a fairly righteous life, after all Scripture says that he was a man after God’s own heart, but even David experience hard times. However, the purpose of those trials was to draw David closer to God. In the midst of his pain, he reached out to God, and God was there for him every time. So yes, hard times will come, but we can always depend on God to be there for us.

I encourage you to really think about the way you pray. Do you bring a list before God of requests that you want answered? Do you take the time to praise God? Do you think back to the ways He has provided for you in the past? I challenge you to incorporate all of these different types of prayers into your prayer life. That is the example that David gives us, and it is a great example to follow.

Matt

Sunday, January 30, 2011

2 Samuel 21

2 Samuel 21

Even though the wars with both Absalom and Sheba were over, there were still problems in the land of Israel. A three year famine had come over the land, and the people cried out to God for relief. David himself went to God and questioned why they had not been spared of the famine. God explained that there was still some strife in the land. From the days of Saul, there had been problems between Israel and Gibeon, and if you recall, there were problems when Joab traveled through that land in 2 Samuel 20 on his way to find Sheba. What had happened was that Saul had desired to kill the Gibeonites back during his reign when the nation had already decided to spare the Gibeonites. From that point forward there were hurt feelings between the two nations, and God wanted that conflict to end.


So David went to Gibeon to see what could be done, seeking a resolution. Through much talk he discovered that were really no problems between the two nations themselves. The only problem that still existed was between the people of Gibeon and the family of Saul. There were still hurt feelings from what Saul had done them several years before. So they asked that David bring them 7 of Saul’s sons so that they might be killed in order to restore the relationship between Israel and Gibeon.

David did as they requested, and he gathered together 7 direct descendants of Saul. One man that was spared from this number was Mephilbosheth, Jonathan’s son. He was the one that David had taken in from the very beginning, promising to look out for and protect him as long as he reigned over Israel. Although he was a direct descendant of Saul, and although many would have viewed him as the enemy, David vowed to protect him and provide for him. Even when Mephilbosheth had sought to take the throne away from David during David’s absence, David sought reconciliation and their relationship had been restored. So David did not even consider adding Mephilbosheth to the number of men who would be handed over to the Gibeonites. After the 7 men were taken to Gibeon and killed, the two nations were able to find common ground again. Israel took Gibeon in as one of their own and all was well in the land again. The famine eventually came to an end.

An almost forgotten enemy of Israel, the Philistines, were rarely mentioned in the book of 2 Samuel (especially recently). Earlier in David’s life, he had had many battles with the Philistines, and God had given him great victories in those battles (such as Goliath). But near the end of his life, the threat of the Philistines returned, and 4 great men, descended from the giants (like Goliath) began to attack Israel. On 4 separate occasions, David and his men went out to battle against the Philistines, but in the first battle, David almost lost his life. His age was finally catching up with him, and some of his servants realized that he could no longer physically go to battle. From that point forward they fought the battles for David and put an end to the threat of the Philistines. So just like the early days of David’s reign, God was giving him the victories. God was still in control, and He still protected Israel. There had been many hard times, and mistakes had been made along the way. But the nation had returned to God, and God continued to bless Israel.

Matt

Saturday, January 29, 2011

2 Samuel 20

2 Samuel 20

Although the political system of the day was beginning to shift more in David’s favor after the death of Absalom, 2 Samuel 20 introduces yet another setback for David. This time it was Sheba who decided to stand in his way, claiming that he and his tribe (Benjamin) had no part in the kingdom of David. He did not want to submit to David’s rule, so he spoke out against David and took with him many of the same people that had previously followed Absalom. What is interesting is that two forces were created as a result of this rebellion. First were parts (and probably most of) every tribe of Israel except Judah. The largest tribe of Israel was Judah, and they stood by David, for the capital city was in their land. These two opposing forces, although they would soon be reunited, would play a key role in the political system at the end of Solomon’s life. For there came a time in Israel’s history when they did split into two separate “countries,” and there were two separate kings in the land.


But as for 2 Samuel 20, a complete separation would not occur. For David it was just one more setback. So he assembled his men together yet again and sent them out to pursue Sheba. Their orders were to stop Sheba at any cost. When David told them to go after Absalom he asked that Absalom’s life be spared. David did not make this type of request with Sheba. He did not give them any real specifics either. Ultimately, David wanted Sheba stopped before he found refuge and was able to gather together a great force of people that could fight against Judah.

So Joab and the rest of David’s men set out, and along the way they encountered problems. Their first problem was in Gibeon, where they had trouble getting through. Joab took care of that situation by killing Amasa, their leader. This sign of power gave them a chance to pass on through Gibeon without any further problems. Then they entered the land of Abel, the city where Sheba had taken refuge. They were beginning to batter down the walls of the city when a woman stopped them. I must admit that at first reading I was wondering if this woman could be trusted. There have been several examples already in Israel’s history where men have fallen to the false words of various men and women. I was especially concerned when she was begging them not to destroy the city. It appeared as if she might actually be trying to protect Sheba. However, this woman was not a false prophet, she was concerned about the welfare of the men and women in her city. Once she discovered that Joab was after Sheba, she promised that she would bring him Sheba’s head if he promised not to destroy their city. Joab agreed, and the woman threw Sheba’s head over the city walls to Joab.

In the end, it did not take brute force to stop Sheba. Although Joab and his men were prepared to go to battle for David and Judah, they were able to settle matters with the woman in Abel, and another force of opposition was stopped. While most situations such as these, when nation rises against nation, must be resolved by force, talking it out usually is not the best option. But for most of us today, if we are not part of the military in some way, we never encounter situations such as these. We do however face opposition quite frequently, and many times those situations can be resolved through conversation. Although it is hard to confront someone who has hurt you, and it is hard to find it within yourself to forgive them, that is what we are called to do. We should not let conflict divide us from others, especially when it is our brothers and sisters in Christ. There is always a resolution to be found, and instead of remaining divided or stirring up an even bigger problem, we should confront the issue and seek a resolution sooner than later.

Matt

Thursday, January 27, 2011

2 Samuel 19:16-43

2 Samuel 19:16-43

The second half of 2 Samuel is a great picture of forgiveness and love. If you recall from the very beginning of Absalom’s rebellion, there were several men that betrayed David in those first few days. As he fled from Jerusalem, some of his closest friends and servants either remained in Jerusalem, betraying David, or turned on him after he had left. One of these men was the last remaining son of Saul, Mephilbosheth. This is the same man (who was lame) that David took in after Saul’s death. David made Mephilbosheth as if he were one of his own and provided for him whatever he needed. Yet when David left Jerusalem, Mephilbosheth was one of the men who turned on him and sought the throne.


So why would David forgive these men who had betrayed him in his greatest time of need? Why would he act as if none of it had ever happened and be willing to move on and start over? To me, it is a picture of the love God has for us. While David had every right to sentence most of these men to death or at least have them sent out of the country, he chose to forgive them. In the same way, none of us are good enough to inherit eternal life with God in Heaven. We have all messed up and turned our backs on God at some point in our life. All it takes is one sin. So that one time you lied to your parents or that one bad thought you had was enough to separate you from Him forever. However, God sent His only Son into this world to die as a sacrifice for our sins, and thanks to His resurrection, His triumph over death, we can now live with Him forever. We can turn from our sin, turn to God, and inherit eternal life. Although we do not deserve it, and although God has every right to send us to Hell, this is His gift to us. It is because of His great love for us that we can live for Him and with Him.

So in a way, this picture of forgiveness given to us by David is very similar to what God does for us. But 2 Samuel does not only focus on those who had rebelled against David. It later shifts its focus to those who had been of great help during those trials. There was one 80 year old man in particular, Barzillai, who had helped take care of David while he was in hiding. He had given David anything that he needed during that time. So when David reinherited the throne, he extended an offer to Barzillai to come back to Jerusalem with him to live in his palace. Although Barzillai was honored to be considered, he politely refused, requesting that he be able to remain in his hometown. He knew that he did not have much longer to live, and he wanted to be at home when he died. So at Barzillai’s request, David took one of his servants, Chimham, and blessed him instead.

Israel was still in a time of readjustments by the end of 2 Samuel 19. There were hurt feelings between the tribes. There were still unresolved conflicts stemming from who had supported David and who had deserted him. Although life was beginning to get back to normal in the nation of Israel, there was still a lot of work to be done. David was back on the throne, but that did not mean that everyone was happy with the way things had turned out. It is sad to see how a once unified nation became a divided nation, and there was no quick or easy resolution to this conflict.

Matt

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

2 Samuel 19:1-15

2 Samuel 19:1-15

In 2 Samuel 18 we questioned the actions of Joab. We looked at his disobedience to David’s command about how to deal with Absalom, and then we looked at how he dealt with telling David the news about his son. So was Joab in the wrong? I think it can be argued either way. In one instance, he disobeyed David’s commands and tried to deceive him into believing that Absalom was not dead (at least not yet). On the other hand, it can be argued that Joab was protecting David from himself. Joab remembered how much grief David felt when he lost Amnon, and maybe Joab did not want David to go into that state of mourning again. 2 Samuel 19 gives us more insight into this situation, for now that Absalom is dead, we do see David’s reaction. He goes back into a deep state of mourning and depression over the death of his son, and it almost seems as if he had forgotten what it was Absalom had tried to do. Did he not remember that Absalom was trying to take the kingdom away by killing David and his men?


Joab picked up on this and scolded David for the way he was reacting. While Joab probably understood that David was suffering a great loss, he was upset at David’s reaction. For Joab and the rest of David’s men, they felt as if they were the enemies, that David would have preferred for Absalom to have succeeded, killing all of David’s men just so Absalom would still be alive. Now while David probably did not feel this way and was grateful that these men had defended him in battle and brought victory back to Israel, his actions did speak differently. In the eyes of his servants and the people of Israel, many might have had the same concerns that Joab raised before David.

In the end, all was restored to the way it once was. David sent a message to the men in Jerusalem asking for his return. They were quick to accept his offer, realizing their mistakes. They had not only lost their king when he fled in fear of his life, but they had also lost their new king in battle who they had placed over Israel themselves. They recognized their mistakes and were ready to once again bring David back to Jerusalem to reign over Israel until his death. So what started in 2 Samuel 11 when David first saw Bathsheba was finally resolved in the middle of 2 Samuel 19. He was back on the throne as the king of Israel. He was back in good standing with God, having repented of his sins and turned his life around. Israel was once again ready to support him, although there would still be days of healing ahead for all of them. And even though he had lost a few children in the process, he still had other children, one of which had already been chosen to be the next king of Israel.

I must admit that this section of David’s life has been one of the most challenging to work through. At times I am not sure that I read the story right. The lines are blurred between who we should consider the “good guys” and who the “bad guys” are at several points throughout these 9 chapters. I hope I have stayed accurate with what the Scripture is saying, and as always I hope you actually read the Scripture yourself and do not depend on my observations alone. While I do try to summarize the main points of the story, I do not hit every little detail. I love the story of David and the book of 2 Samuel, but it is not always an easy read. So if you have not already, I encourage you to go back and read these chapters for yourself. From here on out we will look at the last few chapters of David’s life as we finish the Samuels and enter the Kings.

Matt

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

2 Samuel 18

2 Samuel 18

As 2 Samuel 18 opens, David’s men are preparing for war. David gathered all his men together and then divided them into three separate groups. He also prepared himself for battle, and told his men where he would be. But those closest to David asked him to remain away from the heat of the battle lest he die. They understood his worth and knew that they needed his guidance once they regained the throne of Israel. So David listened to their requests, gave them further instructions, and remained by the gate of the city as they went out to battle.


At first glance it might appear as if David was retreating from the battle. Some might even think that he was frightened to go out to battle his son. But I do not believe that is the case here. An example of David selfishly remaining home away from battle was the time when he saw Bathsheba. As the king he should have been out with his men, and yet he stayed at home, and that one bad decision led to a series of bad decisions. In this case, David was prepared and willing to go, but his men persuaded him to stay. In this case, David was the target, not the entire nation of Israel. All Absalom was really concerned about was killing his father. Therefore, it was much better for Israel as a whole to allow David to remain away from the battle.

David’s men went out to battle against the rest of the Israelites, and it was a quick battle. The Lord was with David and his men, and He gave them the victory that day. The battle was widespread, and the death count was great. One of the many who were killed was Absalom. Now when David had given his men instructions for battle, he asked them to deal kindly with Absalom. In other words, David did not want them to kill him. So when one young soldier saw Absalom hanging in a tree (for he had been caught in a tree while riding his mule, and his mule ran off away from him), he ran to Joab to tell him that he had seen Absalom in battle. This angered Joab, and he asked the young man why he had not killed him, fearful of what Absalom could and would do as long as he was alive. The young man reminded Joab of what David had told them prior to the battle, but that is not what Joab wanted to hear.

Joab then went out to the place where the young man had seen Absalom, and along with then of his men, they killed Absalom as he was hanging in the tree. Knowing that this went against David’s commands, Joab did not want David to know about Absalom’s death yet. Furthermore, he knew that David would be upset with the one who brought the news. So first Joab did not allow anyone to leave and give David news of the victory, knowing that they would also have to give him news of Absalom’s death. So when one of David’s trusted men said he would go anyways, Joab also sent another soldier to go as well. The first man lied to David about Absalom’s death. He knew that Absalom had been killed, but afraid to upset David he hid that news from him. The other young soldier was truthful with David and told him all he knew. This sent David into another state of mourning, for he had lost yet another son.

So who was right in this situation? Absalom had to die or be contained if David ever wanted to regain the throne, but the cover up that surrounded Absalom’s death seems as if it could have been controversial. Should Joab have killed Absalom when David had asked them not to? Although it would help his king take the throne back, it was disobedience to his commands. Furthermore, should he have tried to cover up Absalom’s death? David would eventually find out, and would it not have been better to be truthful rather than David to find out that Joab had kept it from him? Finally, what about the first man that brought news to David? Why did he lie when he knew that Absalom was actually dead? In the end, Absalom’s death was the key to helping David return to power in Jerusalem. And although it would hurt David to know that his son had been killed, that was news that he needed to know. Even if it is hard, we should always tell the truth. Although that seems like such a simple lesson to draw from this passage, we all know how serious the consequences for lying can be. Think about some of the scandals we hear in the news. Many times the truth does not come out for years, but it does come out! We cannot hide from our lies and secrets forever, and when the truth does come out, it can be devastating. So although it may seem like such a simple lesson, one thing we can learn from this passage and from much of 2 Samuel in general, is to just tell the truth.

Matt

Monday, January 24, 2011

2 Samuel 17

2 Samuel 17

With roles reversed, David found himself in hiding while Absalom sat on the throne in Jerusalem. In order to gain full control, Ahithophel presented a plan to Absalom that would ultimately lead to David’s death. He planned to gather a group of men who would set out and find David. Without harming anyone else, they would kill David and bring the rest of his men back to Jerusalem, hopefully leading to a reunification of Israel. When this plan was presented to Absalom, he initially approved, but he also wanted the approval of Hushai. Now remember that Hushai was in a sense a mole left behind by David to serve Absalom. So of course Hushai did not approve of this plan. But the problem was that Hushai could not come right out and give his disapproval for fear that Absalom might figure out where his true allegiance was. So he also set forth a plan that would ultimately lead to David’s death just to make Absalom think that he was still supporting Absalom’s decisions. In reality, his plan would ultimately save David’s life.


The amazing thing about this part of the story was that it was all part of God’s plan to leave Hushai in Jerusalem and have him put in this predicament. It would be one of the pieces that would ultimately lead to David’s ability to regain the throne in Jerusalem, but it was also God’s way of promoting Hushai above Ahithophel. As God continued to work the situation out for David’s good, He also began setting up obstacles for Absalom that would lead to his demise.

As Absalom began to prepare for battle, people once again began to scramble. Ahithophel was distraught because his plan had not been accepted. As a result, he fled to his hometown where he hung himself. Meanwhile, Hushai was secretly aligning with the few Israelites in Jerusalem who still supported David. He prepared two men to travel to David that very night (the night before Absalom would leave) and warn David about what Ahithophel and Absalom were up to. However, some of Absalom’s men heard about what these two men were up to, and their chance at saving David was almost shot. Thankfully, there was a woman who was able to hide them while Absalom’s men passed by. They were finally able to complete their journey and get David across the river and into safety for the time being.

In 2 Samuel 16, it seemed as if David’s time as the king of Israel was over. With the circumstances the way they were, it seemed doubtful that David would ever regain the throne. Absalom was gaining more and more control, and he had successfully gained the approval of a large portion of Israel. Yet while many Israelites spent their time cursing David, David did not give up. He was on the run in fear of his life, being pursued by his own son, but he knew that no matter the outcome, God was in control. If he had the opportunity to regain the throne, he would be grateful, but he ultimately knew that God had to make that decision. He sent men back to Jerusalem who were able to help him from the inside, and in 2 Samuel 17, the power began to shift back to David thanks to the efforts of Hushai. We never know how God is going to work, but one lesson we can learn from Hushai is to be ready to be God’s instrument. We must always be willing to allow God to use us for whatever He needs. Hushai had remained faithful to David and most importantly to God, and as a result, God was able to use Hushai to further carry out his plans. May we, like Hushai, remain faithful and be willing to do whatever it is that God has called us to do.

Matt

Sunday, January 23, 2011

2 Samuel 16

2 Samuel 16

Once David left Jerusalem, the political scene was shaken. Not only was Absalom a threat to overtake the throne, but Saul’s son, Mephibosheth, was also seeking to take the throne from David. As David began his journey out of Jerusalem, one of Mephibosheth’s servants met him to give him some animals, food, and wine for the journey. After all David had done for Mephibosheth and his family and servants, this servant was expressing his gratitude to David in the middle of David’s struggles. But when David asked about Mephibosheth’s whereabouts, he learned that Mephibosheth had chosen to remain in Jerusalem with hopes that Israel would declare him king.


As David journeyed toward the Jordan, another man, Shimei, came out to curse David for all that he had done. He was upset that David had been promoted to the throne after Saul’s death, and he was glad to see that David was being pressured by Absalom. The man truly thought that these recent events were a result of mistakes that David had made. Even though he was being attacked verbally and physically, David chose not to respond. He did not know if the man was responding out of anger or if he had been led by God to curse David. For that reason, David restrained himself and those with him from responding to this man. David knew that in the end, if he continued to remain faithful to God, God would see him through this situation. Although he did not know how it would all be resolved in the end, and he did not know how many more trials he would have to endure, he still showed great faith in the One who was guiding him every step of the way.

Meanwhile, Absalom was preparing to make his home in Jerusalem, taking the throne from his father. The young man that David had sent back to Jerusalem at the end of 2 Samuel 15 was Hushai, and when Absalom made his way into Jerusalem, Hushai was there to meet him. He was what we might consider an insider or mole, planted by David. He had been instructed to serve Absalom just as he had David, and Absalom took him in without question.

So as the political control began to shift, the situation began to look a lot worse for David. He had been forced to flee from his home city, and he had no idea where he was going. Many Israelites who had once trusted and followed David in every decision that he had made were beginning to question their allegiance to David. While some remained dedicated to him, many turned away and began to follow Absalom. As Absalom began to take control in Jerusalem, the allegiance of several key figures was also thrown into question. Who could David trust? And in the same manner, who could Absalom trust? The good guys and bad guys were not black and white, and the allegiance of many shifted back and forth. But in the midst of all this turmoil, it was still evident that David was trying his best to remain faithful to God, knowing that He would carry him through these troubling times. In the same way, even when life seems as if it cannot get any worse, we must hold fast to God. We will all encounter hard times, but God loves us, and He will always be there for us in the midst of the storm.

Matt

Saturday, January 22, 2011

2 Samuel 15:13-37

2 Samuel 15:13-37

Due to the threat that Absalom posed by declaring himself as king in Hebron, David knew that he would soon begin to make his way back to Jerusalem. Because of the fear of what Absalom could do to David and his people, David thought it best to get out of Jerusalem while he still could. He had received reports of what Absalom had done, and he also knew that the people of Israel were being swayed by Absalom. Although David was the king of Israel, he saw that some political powers were shifting, and once again, he found himself on the run. Yet even as David was leaving Jerusalem, there were those around him who mourned his departure. No one knew where David was going (not even David knew), and they all feared their uncertain future. So there were still many people who were faithful to David, but Absalom was still a major threat.


In the midst of these tragic events, there was one young man who stood out above the rest. He had joined David’s staff just the day before David made the decision to leave Jerusalem. He was dedicated to David and was ready to do anything that was asked of him. So when the rest of David’s servants began to pack up and head out with David, this young man left as well. Seeing this, David questioned why he was leaving. David knew that this young man had just left his home to come and serve in Jerusalem, and he did not want to ask him to pack up and leave again to an uncertain future. But the young man replied by showing his dedication to not only David but God as well. He knew what he signed up for from the start, and even though his time in Jerusalem had been short, he was ready for whatever and wherever God was leading him.

As 2 Samuel 15 came to end, the political tides were shifting. Absalom began to make his way toward Jerusalem, and by the end of the chapter he was entering the city. David on the other hand was trying to get everything in order. He left his priest with the Ark of the Covenant in the city. He also moved around some of his most trusted men, sending some back to the city so that he could receive reports from them. Others remained with him, as he began his journey away from Jerusalem. At the same time, he received word of some conspirators among him, other than Absalom. So he went to God for advice and for help. David was prepared to do whatever God commanded. If that meant that he would never return to Jerusalem, then he was prepared to accept that. If it meant that he was to prepare for battle against his son, he was ready. Amidst all of the confusion and turmoil, David showed what it meant to trust in God. Even though he had no idea where he was going, what he would be doing, or if he would ever regain control of the kingdom, he knew that God had a plan. God would get him through this challenging time, and it was up to him to depend on God.

Matt

Friday, January 21, 2011

2 Samuel 15:1-12

2 Samuel 15:1-12

All of David’s mistakes, although he had sought repentance and found forgiveness, bore bitter consequences by the time 2 Samuel 15 began. In Jerusalem, Absalom was secretly conspiring against his father, and many of the Israelites were beginning to look to Absalom for advice and help. He did it subtly, but after four years of lying to Israel by saying that there was no one to hear their requests (which was David’s job, and David would have done had he been given the opportunity), Absalom had won the hearts of the people. Although he was not the king, he was subtly letting the idea of him having the throne work its way into the minds of the Israelites.


But how could this happen? David was back on track, following God, allowing God to lead him and guide him in his decisions. David was back where he was supposed to be, and his mistakes with Bathsheba and Uriah were now a thing of the past. This portion of David’s life shows us that even though we can move on from our past, finding forgiveness and getting right with God again, there are still sometimes consequences. Just because we have brought ourselves back into good standing before God and have gotten our life back on track does not mean that the people around us that we might have hurt in the past have put it behind them. They may still be hurting from our past mistakes. They may still harbor resentment or anger. Sometimes it takes years for a situation to resolve itself, and we have to endure the consequences in the process. As for David, he was still facing some pretty hard times, but even in the midst of another struggle, he continued to show his faithfulness to God.

So after winning the hearts of Israel, Absalom went to David and requested permission to travel to Hebron where he would make a sacrifice to God out of thanksgiving. He wanted David to believe that he was still faithful to God, knowing that a relationship with God was something David cherished in his own life. David of course agreed, unaware of Absalom’s true intentions, and Absalom traveled to Hebron, ready to declare himself as king. On his way, Absalom gathered several men who would spread the announcement (that Absalom was now the king of Hebron. He also gathered up two hundred other men to travel with him and help him along the way, but these men were unaware of his true intentions as well, and they were about to get caught up in Absalom’s conspiracy.

Again, how could this happen? How did David miss it? I wonder if I would not have reacted in the same way. From David’s perspective, Absalom had come back around and moved on past his mistakes. David’s desire was for Absalom to return home, and in the end, David wanted their relationship to be restored. He had longed for the day when Absalom would get his life back on track. So when Absalom requested to travel to Hebron in order to sacrifice to God, David was probably proud to see that Absalom had turned his life around. There are times when people put on really good acts (that is what Absalom was doing here), and it is not until after the fact that we notice what their true character was. I can think of several people that I thought were truly godly men and women who have since fallen away. I sometimes wonder if they were ever truly committed to God or if it were all an act. That is something we can never know, for it is between them and God, but it does show us that we can all be fooled. So to close out this section of the story, here is 1 John 4:1-3: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

Matt

Thursday, January 20, 2011

2 Samuel 14

2 Samuel 14

Three years had passed since Absalom left Jerusalem, and David still mourned over the tragedies that had occurred amongst his children. Seeing his distress, Joab decided to step in and help bring the two men back together. He knew that David longed to see Absalom, so he went and found a woman from Tekoa and devised a plan with her. Joab instructed this woman to pretend to be a mourning widow who had been through a situation very similar to David’s. She tells him of a story about two men, who she claims to be her children, and explains how one rose up and killed the other. She then discusses all of the repercussions that came about as a result of this tragic event. The people of her city were now seeking the life of her other son as a form of punishment for his actions.


David was very sympathetic to her story and was willing to aid her with whatever she needed, but that is when she turned the tables on David. Although David had truly mourned over the tragic events in 2 Samuel 13, he had not initiated reconciliation with Absalom. Yes, he needed to be patient and wait for Absalom to return to him in repentance; however, three years had now passed. Although David wanted Absalom to return, he also needed to assure Absalom that he still loved him and wanted to rectify the situation. In 2 Samuel 13 we saw a parallel between God’s love for His children and David’s love for Amnon and Absalom, but this is not a perfect parallel. Although God does wait us out, He also lets us know that He is there waiting for us. He reveals Himself to us through many ways such as creation, His Word, and the people He places in our lives. So in one sense, David was expressing the same type of love that God shows us to his son Absalom, but in another sense, David was harboring resentment. By not reaching out to Absalom, he left Absalom wondering if his father really cared.

Out of love for his friend, Joab stepped in and developed this crafty plan to help David see the need to make that first move. Since three years had now passed, it seemed pretty obvious to Joab that Absalom would not come back to Jerusalem on his own. The story from the woman of Tekoa helped David see that he needed to take the initiative in rectifying his relationship with his son. So after the woman left, David sent word to Geshur, the city in which Absalom had been living, for Absalom to return home.

After Absalom’s return, it seemed as if all would be well again. David and Absalom would figure things out and move past the tragic events of the last several years, and Israel would continue to prosper under his kingship. But the problems did not end with Absalom’s return. In fact, they only grew worse. When Absalom returned, David gave him a home of his own and Absalom was commanded to remain there. Furthermore, David refused to allow Absalom to enter into his presence. So again we see that David was still having problems reconciling with Absalom. He was obviously upset that Absalom had killed Amnon, his brother and David’s son, but that had now happened over three years ago, and it was time to move on. Another two years passed by, and although Absalom was in Jerusalem, he had still had no contact with his father. But before we place all the blame on David, it should also be noted that Absalom did not take the effort to speak with David during those two years either. However, the time finally came when Absalom wanted to speak with his father, and he sent word to Joab to set up a meeting. When Joab continued to ignore his requests, time and time again, Absalom had Joab’s field set on fire. Catching Joab’s attention, Absalom once again gave his request to see David, and the two men were finally reunited.

Matt

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

2 Samuel 13:23-39

2 Samuel 13:23-39

After Amnon’s sin against Tamar, Absalom harbored hatred in his heart for two years. After what Amnon had done, Absalom could not stand him, but by sitting on it for two years and not seeking any resolution, that hatred had grown. Furthermore, Absalom had plenty of time to plot out his revenge. So when the time came to put his plan into motion, Absalom requested that his father David and all David’s sons take a trip with Absalom. It would be during that trip that Absalom would plan on having Amnon killed. David declined Absalom’s offer, but he did allow the rest of his sons to go. After they were away from David’s presence, Absalom had his servants kill Amnon, sending fear into the rest of the men. They all fled, and when word got back to David over the tragic death of Amnon, many believed that all of David’s sons were dead.


There was one man that did not believe the report about the deaths for he knew about Absalom’s hatred toward Amnon. Before jumping to the rash conclusion that they were all dead, which would only lead to depression and stress, he encouraged David to not lose hope. He did not believe the reports and suspected that only Amnon was dead. Now although he did not know that he was actually right, his positive attitude was a help to his hurting friend. That is not to say that every time we find ourselves in a tough situation we should look for the positives and remain oblivious to the real pain we or someone close to us might be experiencing. However, we can never focus on the negatives. If we do, we will only bring ourselves down and that is not healthy physically or spiritually.

In this situation, the young man had actually been correct. His suspicions about the presumed deaths of David’s sons were true. For it was not long after their conversation that David’s sons rode back into the city, all of them except Absalom. David was relieved to find that his sons were alive, and although he was still grieving the loss of Amnon, that bit of good news helped. Now one thing you may want to question at this point is why he had ever grieved the loss of Amnon after what Amnon had done to Tamar. Although Amnon had been in the wrong, he was still David’s son, and like any loving father, David grieved his death. A father’s love looks past their children’s mistakes, and although they do not condone their actions, they love them regardless. David’s expression of love for Amnon is a reflection of God’s love for us. We might question why David would still choose to love Amnon after his mistakes, but David had already been in Amnon’s situation. After his tragic fall into sin, he had been given the opportunity to return to God. Although God was not pleased with what David had done, nor did He accept David’s sin, He did offer David forgiveness and a second chance. Like David, we are all given that second chance from our Heavenly Father. He will not approve of our sin, but if we are His children, then we can always repent of our sins and ask for His forgiveness.

So we learn a lot about David in this situation. We see him growing in God once again. Having moved on from his mistakes, he is now offering that same type of love to his children. First, he expresses that love to Amnon, and then he does the same with Absalom. 2 Samuel 13 closes with David beginning to find peace in Amnon’s death, and in the same moment, he is also beginning to grieve the loss of Absalom. Although Absalom was not physically dead, his actions and the fact that he had fled the kingdom sent more grief David’s way. But like Amnon, it proves the change that had happened in David’s life and shows the unconditional love that he had for his children. His desire was for Absalom to return, but he knew that it would be up to Absalom to make that decision, a choice David could not make for him. In the same way, our decision to come to Christ is a choice that we must make, and like David, God is always waiting for us to turn to Him.

Matt

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

David Review

So it has been about a month since we last left David and his children. At the time, David was beginning another very hectic time of his life. If you remember back to the middle of 1 Samuel when we first met David, he was chosen by God to be king of Israel. The only problem was that Saul was the king at that time, and he had a son. But due to Saul’s unfaithfulness, God took the kingdom away from him and his family and promised it to David. Knowing what the future held, Saul did everything he could to find and kill David. Not only did he want to preserve his kingdom, but he wanted his children to have the opportunity to rule over Israel as well. So Saul spent many years tracking David, but David was continuously protected by God. During those years on the run, David had two opportunities to kill Saul, which would have relieved a lot of stress from his life. But David knew that it would not be right for him to be the one to kill the king if he were to then take the throne. He decided to leave vengeance to God, and in time, God followed through on His promise.


Saul was eventually killed in battle, and the kingdom fell right into David’s hands. This led into a very peaceful time for Israel and for David. The kingdom expanded as David added conquered new lands, and Israel experienced some of its greatest days under his leadership. God had truly blessed Israel on account of David. However, David was human, just like all of us. After seeing Bathsheba bathing on a nearby roof, David let temptation get the best of him, and he fell into a series of sins that destroyed his reputation. He committed adultery, murder, and acted as a coward as he tried to cover up his sin. In the end, he lost a child as punishment for his actions. The good news was that God is and has always been a forgiving God. Through Nathan the prophet, God sent word to David that eventually led him to repentance. He was truly sorry for all he had done, and he asked for a second chance, a new start.

While God gave David that second chance, his life did not necessarily improve. There were still consequences for his actions, but unlike Saul, who continued to turn away from God when life sent him challenges, David only grew closer to God. The second half of 2 Samuel is the story about the struggles David experienced after his great mistake. He will once again be on the run, fearful for his life, running from one of his children. 2 Samuel 13 introduced this story showing how a fight arose between two of David’s sons, Amnon and Absalom. This conflict would escalate into something much worse. So as we continue the story of David we will see the importance of clinging to God, allowing Him to have control of our lives. Life will always throw us challenges, and we have two choices when it does. Will we choose to become angry with God and turn away from Him (as Saul did) or will we choose to turn to God for help, trusting that He can be our support, our comfort, and our hope in those hard times (like David)?

The story continues in 2 Samuel 13…

Matt

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Reason for the World

At the end of last year, Matthew West released his newest CD, "The Story of Your Life."  Spending some time by himself in a cabin in Tennessee, he looked over hundreds of stories he had received from fans about real stories from their lives.  Over the last few years, Matthew West transformed love stories into songs by partnering with K-LOVE, and this CD seems to be an extension of that project.  All 11 songs come from someone's real life experience, and that is what makes this CD amazing.  After listening through the CD the first time, each song hit me in a different way.  While some situations do not apply to my life specifically (for instance, I have never had to deal with the struggles of divorce), they all provide glimpses into the real life problems that people are facing every day.  These songs also offer hope, and the underlying theme throughout all 11 songs is that we can find that hope in Christ.  He is the One we can go to no matter what is going on in our life, and He can give us the hope and strength that we need during those hard times.

"Reason for the World"  is the song that stood out most to me.  It expounds on this idea of hope.  Life is hard, and at some point we are all going to experience a very difficult and trying situation.  Some of us may be in the middle of one of those tough situations right now.  But when those hard times come, there is always someone we can turn to, and that is God.  All we have to do is call out to Him for strength and help, and He will give it to us.  Does it mean that the hard times will go away and be solved immediately?  No.  But it will help us realize that He is in control, and even when life is hard, we can always trust in Him.  In the end, this world is not our home.  It is only a stop along the way to our eternal home.

So here are the lyrics to what I felt was the most powerful song and my favorite song from Matthew West's new CD:

Reason for the World

There are no words in times like these
When tears don't hide the tragedies
And all you want is a reason for the world

No comfort in the greeting card
Cause God is good, But life's still hard
and your heart just wants a reason for the world

Maybe the reason for the pain
Is so we would pray for strength
And maybe the reason for the strength
Is so that we would not lose hope
And maybe the reason for all hope
Is so that we could face the world
And the reason for the world
Is to make us long for home

For God so loved your broken heart
He sent his son to where you are and he died
To give a reason for the world

So lift your sorrows to the one
Whose plan for you has just begun
And rests here in the hands that hold the world

Maybe the reason for the pain
Is so we would pray for strength
And maybe the reason for the strength
Is so that we would not lose hope
And maybe the reason for all hope
Is so that we could face the world
And the reason for the world
Is to make us long for home

Well I know your past the point of broken
Surrounded by your fear
I know your feet are tired and weary
from the road that you walked down here
But just keep your eyes on heaven
and know that you are not alone
remember the reason for the world

No ear has heard, No eye has seen
Not even in your wildest dreams
A beauty that awaits beyond this world
When you look into the eyes of grace
and hear the voice of mercy say
Child, welcome to the reason for the world

Matt