Scripture

2 Samuel 19:6

“You love those who hate you…”

Observation

David receives the news that Absalom has died in battle. Joab informs David that his mourning is an affront to his men who risked their lives to eliminate Absalom’s threat to David’s life and throne. To encourage them, David holds court at the city gate as a show of gratitude and support. Absalom’s death means the return of the king to Jerusalem and this, depending on how one treated David while he was in exile, causes either rejoicing or terror. Instead of seizing the opportunity to exact retribution and vengeance, David chooses to forgive those who cursed him and bless those who blessed him. But the king’s return does not bring unity as the men of Judah and Israel argue over which kingdom David should rightfully rule over.

Understanding

God loves like we do not

In the midst of rebuking David for his misplaced loyalties, Joab inadvertently points out that David possesses one of the most glorious attributes of the Father. David’s love for his enemies reflects the heart of God that loves those who hate Him. He loves those who curse Him, who mock and deny Him; those who reject Him and ignore Him. He loved them so much that He sent His son to die for them and make reconciliation possible. And even when that love is spit upon, He still loves them. He doesn’t rejoice over the fact that their rebellion results in death, but mourns that they rejected all of the love that He longed to pour out to them. We so often have a picture of God that is made in our own image – a God who hates his enemies just like we do. We hate those who are sinners and rebels and lawbreakers; and think that God does too. We think that, like us, God rejoices when the bad guys “get theirs”. But wait a minute. Wasn’t that who I was when He called me out of the depravity and debauchery of my sin? I wasn’t looking for Him and certainly did not love Him when He found me. His love for me overcame my sin and made me alive when I was dead in my transgressions. He loved me when I hated Him. Didn’t I deserve to suffer the death penalty for my sin? Why do I demand wrath for them but mercy for me? How then can I be so grateful for the mercy that He to extended me and yet desire that He pour out His wrath on all those other sinners? The hypocrisy is too much to bear. God loves those who hate Him and so should I.

I will never be truly transformed until I can love as God loves.

The more I meditate on this truth, the smaller and pettier I see myself. I can hold a grudge for the slightest infraction and can hate you like I knew you “from the neighborhood”. Until I learn to love even those who hate me, curse me, talk about me behind my back and wound me, I will never be able to love others with the Father’s heart or experience the fullness of His love for me. Holy Spirit, I invite you to begin a work of conviction and healing in this heart of stone.

Scripture

2 Samuel 17:14b

For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

Observation – What does it say?

Absalom’s plan to take his father’s throne had been years in the making. He had been strategic and used his wisdom, relationships and connections to execute it all. Things seem to be going well for him, so well that even the great King David had abandoned his palace in Jerusalem and was on the run for his life. However, as much as Absalom felt his plan would continue to unfold just as he desired, the Lord had other things in mind.

Understanding – What does it mean?

God is ultimately in control.

The Lord was determined to bring disaster on Absalom who had wrongfully spilled the blood of his brother, refused to repent, and was now attempting to take a throne with no regard for the man God had chosen to sit on it.

God used his servant’s advice to Absalom to accomplish his will to bring disaster on Absalom. Today, he still uses his servants to bring about his will for people and nations.

Although political parties, politicians and other people in positions of power may think they are in control, ultimately God is in control. No matter who is president, Jesus is still king. Regardless of the political situations in our country and around the world, regardless of the turmoil and how things look on the surface, God is above it all and he is working everything into conformity with the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:11).

Life Application

Trust God to bring about his plans and purposes for us and our nation.

Scripture

2 Samuel 16:11-12

¹¹ David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. ¹² 

Observation

Understanding

A few things that stood out to me…

Life Application

Dear God, help me to keep my heart and eyes open to the many ways you may speak to me.  May I remain steadfast in my pursuit of you and stay hopeful – knowing that your will and plan for my life is bigger and better than what I can imagine.  May I be aware of where my own sin and choices have delayed my God-given blessings and promises.  Help me to be patient in the waiting and to steadfastly seek you.

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– Rei

Scripture

2 Samuel 14:9 (NKJV)

And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, let the iniquity be on me and on my father’s house, and the king and his throne be guiltless.”

Observation

In an effort to facilitate Absalom’s return from exile Joab enlists the help of a wise woman from Tekoa. Reminiscent of the strategy used by the prophet Nathan in confronting David regarding his sin with Bathsheba, Joab concocts a story for the woman to relay to David – the effect of which is to show David’s hypocrisy in being willing to offer forgiveness to the woman’s “guilty” fictitious son while being unwilling to offer the same to Absalom. After recognizing Joab’s hand in the matter, David relents and allows Absalom to return. David, however, does not allow Absalom to enter into his presence for two years. Bitter, impatient and unwilling to admit his sin, Absalom resorts to desperate measures (the burning of Joab’s fields) in order to gain an audience with the king. Though forgiven, Absalom is unrepentant and seeks the king’s favor only as a means by which he can usurp his throne.

Understanding

The gospel is foreshadowed in the Old Testament and the entire Bible is the singular story of God’s redemptive plan for mankind through Christ.

A child is in exile because of sin. A father desires reconciliation but knows that the death penalty must be paid. When an innocent party intercedes and offers to take the guilt upon their head, the father relents and forgives. However, continued rebellion and unrepentance mars the relationship.

Sound familiar?

God found Himself in a similar dilemma as had David. God the Father was separated from His children due to sin, rebellion and unrepentance. God’s justice demanded that the penalty of the sin be paid. In order to spare his beloved children the death wages of sin, He sent His guiltless Son to pay the penalty on our behalf and satisfy the letter of the Law; opening up the door to forgiveness and restoration. Then, since we were dead in our sin – unable and unwilling to repent – God made us alive and gave us His Spirit that we might see how far short of His glory we had fallen and to lead us in conviction, confession and repentance so that full reconciliation could occur.

Life Application

God made reconciliation and relationship with Him possible through Christ. I experience the fullness of that gift through obedience and humility.

Only God, in His ultimate wisdom, could solve an apparently impossible dilemma. Jesus illustrated this truth when He likened the impossibility of someone who trusted in earthly riches entering the Kingdom of Heaven to the impossibility of a camel walking though the eye of a needle. I thank God that, as Jesus proclaimed, “…what is impossible with man is possible with God”.

Father, thank you that you made the impossibility of my salvation possible through Christ and The Cross. Thank you for satisfying the Law and the justice that your holiness demands  at your expense and not mine. Because you did so, I stand before you in unearned justification. In response to your grace and mercy, may I live as an obedient son who, when he sins against you and others, humbles himself and welcomes your counsel, correction and discipline.

Scripture

2 Samuel 13:13

“‘What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace?  And what about you?  You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel.  Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.’ But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.”

Observation-What does it say?

Amnon fell in love with his sister Tamar, but was frustrated because he could not have her sexually, as she was a virgin. So, he resorted to manipulation and deception and raped her.  As a result, Absalom (Tamar and Amnon’s brother), became furious.  The anger he felt for his brother for disgracing their sister resulted in him killing Amnon 2 years later.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Sin always leads to no good and affects more than the individual who chooses to sin.

God’s Word does not sugar coat anything.  In this chapter, we read of incest, rape and murder.  All these sins within the household of David resulted from a man’s desire to do what he wanted, not what God wanted.  Problems always happen when we become lord of our own lives. Innocent people suffer just as Tamar, David and the rest of the king’s sons did because of Amnon and Absalom’s sinful choices (see vs. 19 and vs. 36).

Life Application

Rom. 6:12-13-Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.  Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.  So, use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.”

Scripture

2 Samuel 12:13

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die…”

Observation – What does it say?

After committing adultery with Bathsheba, receiving news she was pregnant and having her husband killed, David is confronted by the prophet Nathan. Rather than getting defensive, justifying his actions or minimizing his sin, he confesses. And although he had to face the consequences of his actions, after his confession God forgave him.

Understanding – What does it mean?

In these two chapters (11 & 12), David sets both a horrible and an excellent example for us to follow. Obviously his sin in chapter 11 is an example we should learn to avoid. However, when confronted with his sin, his response is one we should learn to follow.

David’s brokenness over his sin was real and genuine. His heart was tender toward God and he demonstrated great humility. After this confrontation with Nathan, David penned Psalm 51 in which he poured out his heart with prayers like these:

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love.”

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”

As a result of David’s confession and genuine repentance, he was forgiven and spared the full extent of what his actions deserved.

Life Application

Rather than getting defensive when confronted by others or by the Holy Spirit, choose to examine my heart and actions and to own my wrongs.

Scripture

2 Samuel 11:27

²⁷ After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

Observation

This all started with David’s attempt to honor Hanun’s father (2 Sam. 10:2).  Now because of good intentions that were misconstrued by Hanun’s people, David’s kingdom was at war.  While his men were away fighting, David was home getting into trouble.  David saw, coveted and committed adultery with Bathsheba.  When he learns that Bathsheba is pregnant with his child, he attempts to cover his adultery; and, when that didn’t work, he set up the death of Uriah – Uriah’s husband.  He then married Bathsheba who bore his son. 

Understanding

It appears that only a handful of people know of David’s acts – David, Bathsheba and Joab…and perhaps the person(s) he sent to “find out about” Bathsheba and the messengers sent to get her.  Even so, though, the number of those aware was limited.  Despite David going to such great extent to hide his sin/actions, verse 27 reminds us that God knew.  And, not only did He know, He was displeased.  The goal is not to appear good on the outside, but rather to truly be Holy and have a heart after God. 

Life Application

Dear God, may my actions never be to my glory but to yours.  May my good intentions be received well.  May I be honest and forthcoming about my mistakes and areas where I fall short.  And, God, may my heart remain true to you…a heart after yours, with eyes to see people they way you do.  May I be merely a vessel through which you shine and give and love…and may I forever give you all honor and glory for the ways you choose to use me. 

Love you!  And I am grateful to be used by you.    

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