08 April

Bible in 365 Days                                     

2 Samuel 13-15

2 Samuel 13

The story of Amnon's sin is of a sin committed by a child of David similar to his own. When the story was told to him, we are told that he was wroth. We are not told that he disciplined Amnon. How could he? He had rendered his arm nerveless by his own sin.

In Amnon we have the picture of one mastered by passion. In pondering the narrative it is said of Jonadab that he was a friend of Amnon. The word "friend" is desecrated by its use in such a connection. Any who out of friendship will aid in the pathway of sin, prove themselves enemies rather than friends. Jonadab might have saved Amnon, even though for the moment he had offended him. The picture of Amnon hating Tamar is common as the story of sin. Passion illegally indulged becomes transmuted into a destructive fire.

The troubles of David continued. Absalom slew Amnon, and then took flight. Absalom probably was moved by mixed motives. He wanted vengeance on the man who had wronged his sister. His subsequent actions, however, show that he saw in Amnon a hindrance to carrying out his own secret ambitions. It is noticeable that Jonadab the "friend," who had aided Amnon, was still on hand, and the same cool, calculating traits were manifest in his character. In all these things David was reaping the result of the sin that had cursed his life, and the full harvest was not yet.

2 Samuel 14

Opinions widely differ over why Joab set himself to bring Absalom back. The most probable reason- is that he "perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom." There is certainly a strange fascination about this rugged and surly soldier Joab. He never paused at a deed of blood, and yet underneath the rough exterior was a strange tenderness in his regard for David.

David is seen again as desiring to be consistent. In the case of the woman of Tekoa, as in that of Nathan, when he had declared a principle, he stood by it when it was applied to himself. Absalom was brought back, but in the interest of the kingdom his punishment was not wholly removed. He was not allowed to see his father, and did not see him for two years.

We have a remarkable picture of Absalom, evidently a handsome man of physical perfection. He was daring, or we might more aptly describe him as a daredevil. When Joab would not come to him, he set fire to his barley, and so compelled him to come. The result was that he was admitted to the presence of his father, and was embraced by him.

2 Samuel 15

That Absalom's attitude of obeisance before David was feigned is proved by his conspiracy. That Joab cared nothing personally for Absalom is evident from his refusal to see him any further. Absalom's cunning is manifested in that he waited and plotted four years, ever attempting to turn the heart of the people toward himself. His unscrupulousness, moreover, was shown in that when everything was ripe for action, he proceeded to the overt act of rebellion under cover of religious observance.

Perhaps there is nothing more pathetic in the story of David than his flight from the city. Almost all the essential characteristics of the man were exhibited. Nevertheless, throughout we discover the note of the chastened and humbled spirit, which recognized the righteousness of the suffering following on his sin. His magnanimity was manifested in his suggestion to Itai, the Philistine, that there was no need that he should share the misfortune of his sorrow. Above all, his submission to God was supreme; he said, "If He say thus, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him." He left the city weeping, with covered head and barefoot, these things being the symbols of his penitence. Yet even here he was the astute and far-seeing man, as is evidenced by his leaving behind Abiathar and Zadok, the priests, and Hushai, his friend.