2 Samuel 15-20
Notes
Transcript
Research
Research
David’s judgement 2 Sam 11:1-20:26
11 David’s evil
12 Lord’s judgement and forgiveness
13 Amnon rapes Tamar and Absalom murders Amnon
14 David reconciles with Absalom
David’s “war” with Absalom 2 Sam 15-20
Absalom Leads a Treasonous Revolt against David (15:1–12)
David Goes into Exile beyond the Jordan River (15:13–17:29)
David’s flight (15:13–37)
Kindness to Ziba (16:1–4)
Shimei’s curse (16:5–14)
Ahithophel’s advice (16:15–17:29)
David’s Forces Quell Absalom’s Revolt (18:1–19:8)
Absalom’s death (18:1–18)
David’s mourning for Absalom (18:19–19:8)
David Returns to Jerusalem (19:9–43)
Sheba Revolts Unsuccessfully against David (20:1–22)
Aside: David’s Key Administrative Officials (20:23–26)
Introduction
Introduction
Absalom’s Plot
Absalom’s Plot
1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
1 Samuel 8:9–11 “9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. 11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.”
The bad news for Absalom is that he becomes the first Israelite mentioned in scripture to acquire and use his own chariot.
The Bible consistently shows only enemies of the Lord and his covenant people as having them. By doing so, Absalom is laying his lot with those enemies and we know how they end up.
2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Absalom is presenting himself like he’s doing the job of high ranking officials without declaring he is one
If it wasn’t Absalom in rebellion, he gives us a really effective leadership model. If you pay attention you’ll see versions of this all around us each May and November during election seasons.
He identifies with them asking who they are and where they’re from
He validates their claims by telling them how good their case was
Then he tells them “too bad the backlog is too big” or “too bad the king hasn’t done his job and given you somebody to judge”
“Oh if only I were made a judge, then you’d get the judgement you’re looking for”
Then when anybody would hear him and bow to him as the Kings son and tell him how special he was, Absalom would stand them back up and tell them “no need for that, I’m the same as you, then he would kiss them on the cheeks (the near eastern handshake showing them more honor than he received)
this is the way Absalom “stole the hearts”; not affections, not “made them like him” this is actually “deceived them”
7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. 8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. 9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
Three years in Geshur, Two years before David allowed him to come before him: the context of the narrative, the timeline, older manuscripts, Josephus, etc. make “four” more likely than “forty”
Absalom uses a claim, real or not, of a vow he made living with his grandfather as a reason to go to Hebron. Real reason he wanted to go, probably the symbolism of declaring himself king there (2 Samuel 2:3–4 “3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.” )
10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. 12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
He had already started executing his plan ( i think developed, like I said last week, during that 2 years David didn’t let him come before him). Hebron was 20 miles away from Jerusalem and had strong walls. A good place to mount a coup.
He took 200 dignitaries from David’s cabinet that thought nothing about it. Then once the trumpets blow, they are at the least hostages, some will defect to Absalom’s side either by their own will or fear of death
Ahithophel was “David’s counsellor” but he was also Bathsheba’s grandfather; makes sense a bit later in the story
13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. 15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. 16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. 17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. 18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
My first thought was “don’t be a chicken”. The more I studied and thought, with his cabinet gone and not knowing how deep the conspiracy ran, the wisest thing is to retreat to regroup. It also acts as a test for loyalty
They set out in a direction opposite of Hebron having no idea where they were going.
Psalm 122:6–9 “6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. 9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.”
Jerusalem is a city of peace and David was determined to keep it that way. He couldn’t leave soldiers to keep the house or it would cause a fight, so in his mind he’d leave 10 women from his harem, expendable, and non-military
19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. 20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. 21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. 22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
As a good general, David questions the reason Ittai, who just showed up yesterday and a part of the Philistine forces that had sided with David, was going with them. You can understand questioning their loyalty in the crisis, after all they had waged war against David int he past, and this would be a perfect time for them to flip to Absalom’s side.
But Ittai’s answer that they would “ride or die” together and swearing on the life of God and David was good enough to convince the king
23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
David has no idea how many, but he did have evidence a lot of the people were still with him
24 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. 25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: 26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. 27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. 29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
David had always made “the church” a priority because he knew his dependance on God and tried most of the time for God’s direction not man’s. Zadok and Abiathar are high priests, that now return the loyalty thinking they are saving the Ark by bringing it out of the city.
David was responsible in chapter 6 for returning the Ark to Jerusalem believing he was helping fulfil the prophecy of Deuteronomy 12:5 “5 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:”
But David knows he’ll now be seen as responsible for removing it.
So David explains the sovereignty of God to them. That’s what it really looks like to trust God.
30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
David is not trying to hide his grief and despair from the people
31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
David also falls back on prayer. Yahweh answers that prayer in 16
32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: 33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me: 34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. 35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. 37 So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
David deeply appreciated the support of his wise friend, but he’s old and it’s another mouth to feed
But he could help since, like Ahithophel, he was known as David’s trusted counselor. He could counter Ahithophel’s advice as well as help create a great spy network for intel
Chapter 16-20
Chapter 16-20
Chapter 16:
Ziba deceives David by claiming Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem hoping to regain Saul's kingdom, receiving all of Mephibosheth's property as reward for his apparent loyalty
Shimei curses and throws stones at David, but David restrains his men from killing Shimei, accepting it as possible divine judgment for his sins
Ahithophel counsels Absalom to go into the concubines David left. Absalom does in a tent on the roof of the palace. As Bathsheba’s grandfather, you can see how he get’s there.
Chapter 17:
Hushai successfully counters Ahithophel's wise counsel (to pursue David immediately) by suggesting a larger, delayed attack, giving David time to escape and regroup
2 Samuel 17:14 “14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.”
Ahithophel, seeing his counsel rejected and recognizing Absalom's cause is doomed, returns home and hangs himself in despair
Chapter 18:
David's forces, led by Joab, decisively defeat Absalom's army in the forest of Ephraim, with the forest itself claiming more lives than the sword
Absalom dies when his hair catches in an oak tree, and Joab kills him despite David's command to deal gently with his son, leading to David's overwhelming grief
Chapter 19:
Joab rebukes David for mourning Absalom while ignoring his loyal troops, forcing David to publicly thank his men and resume his kingly duties
David strategically wins back tribal loyalty during his return, dealing with Shimei's repentance, Mephibosheth's explanation, and Barzillai's faithful service
Chapter 20:
Sheba leads a northern rebellion against David, exploiting the tension between Judah and Israel that emerged during David's restoration to power
Joab murders Amasa (David's newly appointed commander) and then besieges Sheba in Abel Beth-maacah, where a wise woman negotiates the city's salvation by having Sheba beheaded
Conclusion
Conclusion
2 big things we see today:
reaping and sowing
2 Samuel 12:10–12 “10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.”
God is in charge
From a biography of Robert E. Lee about his philosophy of command during battle:
"My interference in battle would do more harm than good. I have then to rely on my brigade and division commanders. I think and work with all my power to bring the troops to the right place at the right time; then I have done my duty. As soon as I order them forward into battle, I leave my duty in the hands of God."
It's his way of saying: "I'll do everything within my power as a general, but ultimately, God determines the results." This mirrors David's approach perfectly - careful human planning combined with ultimate trust in divine sovereignty over outcomes.
