The Essentials

Sunday, March 6, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 89 -- God Judges And Restores The People – David Advises Solomon and Dies – Conspirators Brought To Justice

Before David died, he summoned Solomon to come and listen to the King’s final instructions. He advises him to be strong and courageous; to be a man! He instructs Solomon to keep and follow all of the law as given through Moses and he would be a great king.

1 Kings 2:1-4 ESV When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, (2) "I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, (3) and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, (4) that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'

There was unfinished business concerning Joab, who had murdered two men. David left this to Solomon to decide the course of action. He instructed him to be kind to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, because they were loyal to him. Shimei was also not an innocent man because he had cursed David; so Solomon was to give his own discretion in the matter. After giving Solomon these final instruction, David died.

1 Kings 2:5-10 ESV "Moreover, you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, avenging in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet. (6) Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. (7) But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother. (8) And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.' (9) Now therefore do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol." (10) Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.

Adonijah Put To Death For Treachery

Remember, Solomon spared Adonijah with the condition that if he proved to be righteous he would live; but if treachery was in his heart, he would die. So one day Adonijah goes to Bathsheba and asks her to do a favor for him and ask Solomon to give him Abishag, David’s virgin who cared for him at the end of his life. This was not an innocent request because it would have disgraced Solomon and exalted Adonijah and possible give him a foothold for subversion because he still had Abiathar and Joab on his side. So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada to execute him, and Adonijah was put to death.

1 Kings 2:19-25 ESV So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king's mother, and she sat on his right. (20) Then she said, "I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me." And the king said to her, "Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you." (21) She said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as his wife." (22) King Solomon answered his mother, "And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my older brother, and on his side are Abiathar the priest and Joab the son of Zeruiah." (23) Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, "God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life! (24) Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today." (25) So King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he struck him down, and he died.

Abiathar Expelled From The Priesthood

For his part in the rebellion, Solomon expelled Abiathar from the priesthood and put him in exile. So Solomon spared his life, but made an example of him that the priesthood must stay loyal to the king.

1 Kings 2:26-27 ESV And to Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go to Anathoth, to your estate, for you deserve death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because you shared in all my father's affliction." (27) So Solomon expelled Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.

Joab Executed

Joab had sided in with Adonijah in his rebellion and when he heard that Solomon executed him, he fled to the sacred tent of the LORD and held on to the horns of the altar and refused to come out. Then Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada to execute him, and Joab was put to death next to the altar.

1 Kings 2:31-33 ESV The king replied to him, "Do as he has said, strike him down and bury him, and thus take away from me and from my father's house the guilt for the blood that Joab shed without cause. (32) The LORD will bring back his bloody deeds on his own head, because, without the knowledge of my father David, he attacked and killed with the sword two men more righteous and better than himself, Abner the son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah. (33) So shall their blood come back on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever. But for David and for his descendants and for his house and for his throne there shall be peace from the LORD forevermore."

Shimei Defies House Arrest In Jerusalem And Is Executed

Solomon had Shimei brought to him and ordered him to build a house in Jerusalem where he was to live out his life. If he would ever leave Jerusalem for any reason, he would be put to death.

1 Kings 2:36-37 ESV Then the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever. (37) For on the day you go out and cross the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. Your blood shall be on your own head."

Three years later, two of Shimei’s servants ran away and Shimei left Jerusalem to bring them back. When Solomon heard about it, he had Shimei executed.

1 Kings 2:41-46 ESV And when Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and returned, (42) the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, "Did I not make you swear by the LORD and solemnly warn you, saying, 'Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any place whatever, you shall die'? And you said to me, 'What you say is good; I will obey.' (43) Why then have you not kept your oath to the LORD and the commandment with which I commanded you?" (44) The king also said to Shimei, "You know in your own heart all the harm that you did to David my father. So the LORD will bring back your harm on your own head. (45) But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD forever." (46) Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died. So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

It may seem barbaric to us today in the 21^st Century; to execute the conspirators; but even the United States executes military personnel, or even any citizen found guilty of treason. It I hard enough to have to deal with the enemy head on, but to have those within the ranks, turn against the leadership; this is punishable by death. It has to be; else no one would ever have any sense of security. Even in the church, subversion can not be allowed.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for being true and loyal to us. You are the same, yesterday, today and forever. Help me to be loyal and live in truth, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 88 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Adonijah’s Coup Put Down; Solomon Is Anointed King

King David grew old and became stricken in his years. No matter how many blankets they put on him, he was cold all of the time. His servants thought that maybe a young virgin would bring him some delight and she could take care of him; lie close to him and keep him warm. This was not for the intimacy of a concubine. They found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king.

1 Kings 1:1-4 (1) King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm. (2) So his advisers told him, “Let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm.” (3) So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag from Shunem and brought her to the king. (4) The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her.

While in his weakened state, David’s son Adonijah the son of Haggith boasted, saying, I will be king: and he prepared a chariot and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. Like his brother Absalom, he was a very handsome man with a great deal of charisma. Even his father never corrected him. So Adonijah took Joab, son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest into his confidence, and they agreed to help him become king. However, Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s personal bodyguard refused to conspire with Adonijah. The conspirators went to the Stone of Zoheleth, and there Adonijah sacrificed cattle and fattened calves. David’s other sons along with the rest of the royals, were invited except Nathan the prophet; Benaiah; the king’s bodyguard and his brother Solomon.

1 Kings 1:7-10 ESV He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And they followed Adonijah and helped him. (8) But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David's mighty men were not with Adonijah. (9) Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle by the Serpent's Stone, which is beside En-rogel, and he invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, (10) but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother.

Then Nathan went to Bathsheba and asked, “Did not the King promise to you that Solomon would reign after him, because Adonijah has declared himself king?” So Nathan instructs her to go into David and inform him of what Adonijah had done and reminded him of his promise to her that her son Solomon was to be king. David then ordered, “Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” When they came, he instructed them to take Solomon down to Gihon Spring; and Solomon was to ride on David’s mule. Furthermore, Zadok and Nathan were to anoint him king and blast the trumpet and shout; “Long live King Solomon.” Finally, they were to bring him back to Jerusalem where he was to sit on David’s throne. This they did, with every detail and in haste.

1 Kings 1:38-40 ESV So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule and brought him to Gihon. (39) There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!" (40) And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.

When Adonijah and his conspirators found out that Solomon had been anointed King over all Israel, the conspirators all fled, leaving Adonijah without any support. His coup d'etat was very short lived. As he would have had Solomon executed, now he feared the same fate. So Adonijah ran and clung to the horns of the altar and demanded a promise from Solomon not to kill him. Solomon agreed to deal fairly with him and sent him home.

1 Kings 1:49-53 ESV Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and rose and each went his own way. (50) And Adonijah feared Solomon. So he arose and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. (51) Then it was told Solomon, "Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, for behold, he has laid hold of the horns of the altar, saying, 'Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.'" (52) And Solomon said, "If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die." (53) So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house."

Rarely does any good ever come out of insurrection. Kings and emperors who have crowned themselves have almost always led in tyranny and are typically recorded by history as being disastrous. Obedience to the LORD is the only way to become a successful leader.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for your law that is perfect and holds order and justice. Strengthen me in your righteousness and lead me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Friday, March 4, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 87 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Pestilence As Punishment For David’s Sin – Stopped At Araunah’s Threshing Floor

King David befriended two men when he overthrew Jerusalem and drove out the Hittites and the Jebusites. In Part 82 (2/27/2011), we looked at Uriah the Hittie in the story of David and Bathsheba. Today, we are will look at Araunah (also called Oman in Chronicles) the Jebusite. Even though these men had favor with the king; both men would have to endure David’s sin, for Uriah, it meant death. For Araunah, it would be escaping, with death just a whisper away.

As with all powerful positions of leadership, there is human nature to fight. Who is the biggest and who is the best! Yet we all can get lulled into complacency during times of blessing and abundance; forgetting where the good times come from. It is easy to get caught up with living; our work, school, career, hobbies and entertainment. For political leaders it is easy to get carried away by people who look up to them and praise them. It is hard for a king or president to remain humble. That is why God said in Deuteronomy to be humble and thank the LORD after we have eaten, lest we forget.

“When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. (11) Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:” Deuteronomy 8:10-11).

It may have been in this state of mind that David began to look to his own might and he ordered Joab, his general, to number his army; in essence; see how great a king he was. There is a lot of speculation. It may have been attached to the tribute paid into the treasury. We really don’t know; but this we do know. God did not order it; rather Satan had provoked David. Moses had counted the people twice, but only at the command of the Lord. Here David sinned and the Lord was angry. Once again we see a repentant Davis who quickly acknowledges his sin.

“And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly” (2 Samuel 24:10).

God sends the prophet Gad to give David the choice of three different punishments.

“So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me” (2 Samuel 24:13).

1) 7 MONTHS OF FAMINE; or

2) 3 MONTHS FALLING TO THEIR ENEMIES; or

3) 3 DAYS AT THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND PESTILENCE.

David chose three days at the hand of the Lord and 70,000 men died because of David’s sin.

“So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men” (1 Chronicles 21:14).

When the angel with the sword came upon Jerusalem to utterly destroy it; the Lord repented and said enough! And the plague was stopped at the threashing floor of Araunah (also Oman) the Jebusite.

“And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite” (1 Chronicles 21:15)

What strikes me is that Oman sees the death angel, looks at his four sons and keeps threshing. Had this Jebusite grown in knowledge of the God of Israel; grown in understanding of God mercy and grace?

“And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat” (1 Chronicles 21:20).

Oman’s threshing floor was on Mount Moriah. It was on that same spot that Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac. David was ordered by God to buy the land and erect an altar on Oman’s threshing floor. Later, Solomon built the Temple on Mount Moriah. The High Priest of that temple ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Threshing separates the wheat from the chaff; the good from the bad; the usable from the useless. Mount Moriah is symbolic of sifting men’s hearts through the blood of Christ. It is a place of redemption and reconciliation.

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

(Genesis 22:2 KJV)

We serve an awesome God who takes great care in small details and uses every means to teach us; parables, stories, analogies, direct instructions all to point us to Him and salvation. All the heavens declare God’s glory. God’s Word excites me. It is so power and so true. The best part is that it reveals our incredible human potential to ultimate see God face to face in His Kingdom for all eternity.

Prayer: Heaven Father, you are so great; help me to learn more about you. Give me a burden for your Word and to share the Gospel with all who cross my path. Lead me to what you are blessing. Show me your perfect will. I am your servant. In Jesus’ name, Amern.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 86 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Absalom’s Death & David Restored

David took all of his men and appointed generals and captains over them; dividing them into three groups; and he wanted to go to battle with his troops; but they strongly objected; and he gave in and stayed behind. Now Absalom had moved the army of Israel to Gilead. So David sent his troops out to battle against Absalom. He sent three divisions, one under each of his generals; Joab, Zeruiah and Ittai; and he implored them to deal gently with his son.

2 Samuel 18:2-3 ESV And David sent out the army, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the men, "I myself will also go out with you." (3) But the men said, "You shall not go out. For if we flee, they will not care about us. If half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore it is better that you send us help from the city."

2 Samuel 18:5 ESV And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom." And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.

The fighting started in the forest of Ephraim and David’s troops pushed back Absalom’s army; casualties were high with 20,000 men killed in the battle. More were killed because of the forest, than were killed by the sword.

2 Samuel 18:7-8 ESV And the men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the loss there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. (8) The battle spread over the face of all the country, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword.

During the battle, Absalom broke away and encountered some of David’s men. He fled on his mule to get away. His mule went under some low oak branches and Absalom’s long wooly hair got caught in the tree branches; and he was helplessly suspended between heaven and earth. A man saw this and ran to Joab and reported what had happen. Joab said, “Why didn’t you run him through with the sword?” The man was afraid to raise his hand against the King’s son because he had heard the command not to hurt the King’s son. Joab immediately took three spears and went and ran them through Absalom’s heart. There were also ten other men who were there and they all stabbed him until he was dead. They took the dead body and threw it into a deep pit and piled a mound of rocks upon it.

2 Samuel 18:14-17 ESV Joab said, "I will not waste time like this with you." And he took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak. (15) And ten young men, Joab's armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him and killed him. (16) Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the troops came back from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained them. (17) And they took Absalom and threw him into a great pit in the forest and raised over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled every one to his own home.

When the news came to David, he cried out in mourning; wishing it had been him instead of Absalom who was killed. When Joab came to the King and saw him mourning over his adversary, he was angered. There should have been a celebration of the victory; not the mourning over an adversary. Joab said to David, “We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed of ourselves. (6) You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that your commanders and troops mean nothing to you. It seems that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased. (7) Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before.” 2 Samuel 19:5-7 NLT

Joab knew that if David continued to demoralize his troops; that they would quickly turn against him. David was not thinking about how many laid down their lives to save him and his kingdom. He was not thinking about the victory and he was making his men and all of Israel, pay a price of futility for the victory. So David came out of mourning to celebrate the victory and he returned to Jerusalem to meet a people renewed in their loyalty. David met with mercy; all of those, who had misplaced their loyalties and he was restored to his throne as king over all of Israel.

2 Samuel 19:15-23 KJV 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. (16) And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David. (17) And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king. (18) And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; (19) And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. (20) For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king. (21) But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed? (22) And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel? (23) Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

Two of the great hallmark truths of justice are the promises that 1) vengeance belongs to God and that 2) He will not be mocked.

Romans 12:19 KJV Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Galatians 6:7 KJV Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

During this great offence of Absalom; we don’t see David reacting to the circumstances. By this time, David had gone through many trials in his life. Just to name a few:

1. He was hunted like a dog by Saul

2. He lost his best friend Jonathan

3. He allowed his lust to turn into
a) Adultery
b) Conspiracy
c) Cover up
d) Murder

4. The child of his adultery died

5. His son Amnon raped his daughter Tamar

6. His son Absalom murdered his brother Amnon

7. Absalom ousted David from the throne of Israel

8. Absalom was murdered

David learned to respond in the wisdom and strength of the LORD. His heart was tried and tested. In his maturity, he became even more forgiving of his enemies. This forgiving heart only came with sin and its tragedy. It was Saul’s sin against him where it was first tested; but David would not lift his hand against the LORD’s anointed. That value was emblazoned in his heart and was more powerful that his own life or circumstances. Later David would be the aggressor against Uriah and it was a rude awaking to him of how far he fell. His response to Nathan the prophet was righteous indignation. Revealing that he was the man of sin, He quickly repented. We have Psalm 51 (David’s Prayer/Psalm of repentance after he committed adultery and murder) to show us the repentant heart of David; a Psalm that should be a part of every Christians daily repentance as we embrace the Apostle Paul’s admonition to die daily to self will.

We are in a like calling as David. We are to live for all eternity as kings in the court of the King of kings. The life of David is one to study; and thereby learn how to conquer sin and weakness and what it means to have a heart and be a man after God’s own heart.

Prayer: Heavenly Father help all of your chosen people to stay strong in the power of your might; help us to trust in you and not seek vengeance, but to freely give love and forgiveness, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 85 -- God Judges And Restores The People – David Plants a Spy With Absalom

David and his people went up to the Mount of Olives and at the summit, Hushai was waiting for them with his clothes torn and dirt in his hair because he was mourning for the King and all of Israel. David then made Hushai a secret agent and had him return to Absalom. David told Hushai to say to Absalom, “I will now be your adviser, O king, just as I was your father’s adviser in the past.” Then you can frustrate and counter Ahithophel’s advice.” He also told Hushai that Zadok and Abiathar were loyal to David and that he could use them to send back information to him.

2 Samuel 15:34-37 ESV But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant in time past, so now I will be your servant,' then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel. (35) Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So whatever you hear from the king's house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. (36) Behold, their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son, and by them you shall send to me everything you hear." (37) So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.

A little beyond the summit of the Mount of Olives, Ziba, the servant of Saul’s grandson was waiting for him with two donkeys loaded down with food and wine. He served Mephibosheth, the last of Saul’s household and Jonathan’s son. He was the one to whom David had restored all of the lands of Saul; who ate at David’s table. But Mephibosheth had gone over to support Absalom. So David gave all of Mephibosheth’s property and wealth to Ziba, since Mephibosheth proved to be disloyal to him and Ziba went out of his way to bring provisions.

2 Samuel 16:3-4 ESV And the king said, "And where is your master's son?" Ziba said to the king, "Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.'" (4) Then the king said to Ziba, "Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." And Ziba said, "I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king."

Then David came to Bahurim and Shimei came out cursing him and throwing stones. Abishai wanted to cut off the man’s head, but David stopped him. There was a lot of hostility against David. Absalom had turned a great many people against the king.

2 Samuel 16:7-10 ESV And Shimei said as he cursed, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! (8) The LORD has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood." (9) Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head." (10) But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David,' who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'"

When Absalom and the army of Israel finally arrived at Jerusalem, they occupied the city, Ahithophel was with them. David’s friend Hushai arrived and went right away to Absalom and said, “Long live the King!” Absalom asked him why he wasn’t with David. And he said that he was to be with the one anointed of God. Hushai offers to serve Absalom.

2 Samuel 16:15-19 ESV Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. (16) And when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" (17) And Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?" (18) And Hushai said to Absalom, "No, for whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. (19) And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you."

Absalom turned to Ahithophel and asked him what to do next; and he replied, “Sleep with the King’s concubines; then every one in the land will know that there is no chance of reconciliation. He did and it was the ultimate insult to the King.”

Ahithophel then advised Absalom to take 12,000 men and go after David and destroy him; but he asked for Hushai’s advice as well. Hushai said, “Your father and his men are all mighty warriors. They are enraged like a mother bear robbed of her cubs. Remember that David is a cunning and mighty warrior, he most likely won’t be with the army; he’ll be in hiding. Your men will be slaughtered and you still won’t have David!

Ahithophel’s Advice

2 Samuel 17:1-3 ESV Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. (2) I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king, (3) and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace."

Hushai’s Advice

2 Samuel 17:7-10 ESV Then Hushai said to Absalom, "This time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good." (8) Hushai said, "You know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Besides, your father is expert in war; he will not spend the night with the people. (9) Behold, even now he has hidden himself in one of the pits or in some other place. And as soon as some of the people fall at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.' (10) Then even the valiant man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that those who are with him are valiant men.

Absalom not only took Hushai’s advice and held off the pursuit of David; but he believed that Ahithophel’s advice was meant to be a trap to destroy him. So Ahithophel put his affairs in order and went and hanged himself. Hushai then sent Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, to warn David that he should cross the Jordan River and go into the wilderness. Soon Absalom was pursuing David with the whole army of Israel. Hushai’s advice only bought a little time, but it was enough time for David to escape.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for always making a way of escape for us. We know that all things work together for good for those who love the LORD. Give us faith in you in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The Essentials Of The Bible: Part 84 -- God Judges And Restores The People – Absalom Seizes David’s Throne

Once Absalom was back in the king’s favor, he purchased a chariot and horses and hired fifty men to run ahead of him. He looked at his father David as a weak and useless king, and he began to conceive a plan to oust his father from the throne. It started with a campaign to win public support, much like a modern day political candidate, spending time with the people. He would arise very early every morning to greet people at the city gate. There he would hear there issues and assure them that if he were judge over Israel, they would receive his favor. Every day he was winning public opinion. Some would bow to him and he would hug them and kiss them. Absalom was an extremely handsome man with a lot of charisma.

2 Samuel 15:2-5 ESV And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, "From what city are you?" And when he said, "Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel," (3) Absalom would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you." (4) Then Absalom would say, "Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice." (5) And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.

After four years of campaigning among the people; Absalom made his move. He had gained fame and power and had won the hearts of the people. He asked his father if he could go to Hebron to sacrifice and fulfill a vow he had made. The King said, “Go in peace.” So he went to Hebron, but he sent secret messengers throughout the country proclaiming that when the trumpets sounded then Absalom would be king.

2 Samuel 15:7-10 ESV And at the end of four years Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron. (8) For your servant vowed a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, 'If the LORD will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to the LORD.'" (9) The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron. (10) But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, 'Absalom is king at Hebron!'"

While Absalom was sacrificing in Hebron, the conspiracy grew and his followers increased. He sent for Ahithophel, David’s counselor. Then a messenger came to David and told him that the hearts of the men of Israel had gone after Absalom. David knew that Absalom would kill him if he caught him in Jerusalem, so David and his 600 men and all of his loyal supporters in Jerusalem left the city with their king.

2 Samuel 15:14-16 ESV Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword." (15) And the king's servants said to the king, "Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides." (16) So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house.

Absalom, with the army; later arrived in Jerusalem and he claimed his right to the throne by mere possession of it and possession of the army of Israel. King David was in exile and on the run for his life. Absalom established himself by taking his father’s concubines. This act spread through out Israel and established that he was king. But he made himself king without the anointing of the LORD and he did not have the Spirit of the LORD. His cunning and charisma got him into the throne room; but it was going to be impossible to stay there very long.

Many have been able to impress the people for a short time. There was a man who used his cunning and charisma to win over the people of Minnesota and become governor. His name was James George Janos; better known as Jesse Ventura. It is easy to lean on one’s own confidence; and if the circumstances are right, a state can elect you governor; just as Absalom rallied the people behind him and made himself king. But if it is not God’s will, it won’t succeed. We are here for God’s good pleasure. If it is not God’s will, then we should not venture down a wrong path. God orders the steps of the righteous; but we must not lean on our own understanding.

Psalms 37:23 KJV The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Proverbs 3:5 KJV Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Prayer: Almighty God, we belong to you when we make the decision to surrender all to you and repent in baptism. Fill us with the Holy Ghost and lead us to what you are blessing, in Jesus’ name, Amen.