The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
2 Samuel 13-15
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: 2 Samuel 13-15
David is again proving to have been mighty in the battlefield and weak at home.
David’s son Amnon is a self-indulgent fool, and David is a foolish and indulgent father. Look at how quickly things have gone wrong, as predicted, for human kings. The heir apparent to the throne is controlled by lust and rapes his half-sister. His brother will become a second “Cain” and murder him. David has at the very least been complicit in this by his lack of training and control of his sons. He has also, by his example years earlier with Bathsheba, shown his sons that kings can take what they want. David was like many men are: strong and capable outside the home, but weak and passive inside it.
2 Samuel 14:1 reads that David’s mind was “on Absalom.” The more natural reading of the Hebrew is that David’s heart was “against” him. David is the King, the supreme judge. He should extend justice to his own son, but instead he fails. He will simply allow the sin to be glossed over. Jesus, the true King, delivers justice for our sins by paying their price. It is never kind to overlook sin. Overlooked sin simply breeds more sin.
Absalom’s physical attractiveness is set in contrast to the darkness in his heart. He has murdered his brother and now, after his physical description, we see his demanding heart when he doesn’t get what he wants, when he wants it. Joab won’t come to him, so he sets Joab’s field on fire. Absalom is a beautiful fool, who burns things down to have his own way. Saul had been selected because he “looked” like a king. God, unlike most people, looks to the heart. Absalom has a dark heart, and it gets worse. After Absalom has wormed his way back into the king’s presence, they give each other a formal greeting, but there is no evidence of repentance or reconciliation. Absalom immediately seizes the moment to formulate a subtle coup and take over the Kingdom. He has already murdered the next in line to the throne, and now he is ready to take the crown by deception, and ultimately by force. This has to be the low point in David’s life, but it will go lower still. David has not played the part of a sacrificial king, but rather he has let his desires rule him. Now, as the Lord told him, the sword will not depart from his own house. David has been forgiven; he will not suffer the eternal consequences of his sins, but he will pay dearly for them in time. We must fear sin. Yes, God will forgive us, but the consequences in our lives may be terrible indeed.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Cameron as he teaches English in Japan. Ask God to give him many opportunities with fellow teachers to have gospel-centered conversations.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.