April 28 - 2 Samuel 15:1-17:14

Good morning everyone,

This morning as we begin reading we find Absalom, having just made up with his dad, King David, in the early stages of his revolution against the throne. Absalom is a clever kid, very handsome, and I imagine he could really pour on the charm when it suited him. He took to rising early in the morning to be at the city gate to do sort of a “meet and greet” while locals as well as travelers would come to town do their business. He would listen to their problems with a sympathetic ear, give them a kiss, then send them on their way feeling so much better about life. His agenda? Get the vote. A regular politician, this guy Absalom.

For four years Absalom did this, now he is ready to make his move. He assembled two hundred innocent bystanders and with the king’s blessing took off to Hebron. You remember Hebron, right? It use to be the capitol and it was where David was first crowned king after which the capitol was then moved to Jerusalem. There may have been some hurt feelings still lingering there about that, who knows. Absalom also sends for David’s counselor, Ahithophel. Why? What makes Absalom think he can change his allegiance? Well, Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather and I would not be a bit surprised if he had been harboring a grudge for all these years over the terrible way his granddaughter was taken advantage of by David. (at least that’s the way a grandpa would see it … right?) Grudge or not, he joined forces with Absalom and we’re told the conspiracy gained strength.

Meanwhile back at the palace, David gets word of what is going on decides to flee the city. David’s army is mightier, his fortress stronger, so why run? Maybe because he didn’t want to go into battle against his son and perhaps kill him. Maybe, David just felt that if God was allowing this to happen then there was a reason for it and God would see David through. Whatever the case may be, David takes everyone but ten concubines, who were left to care for the palace, and heads out of town. They travel up the Mount of Olives and when they get to the summit Hushai, whom we’re told in 1 Chronicles was the king’s friend, is there to meet him. David must have thought “perfect!”  and glad to see someone he can trust. David feels Hushai could be of more help on the inside and so he sends him to the palace to spy on Absalom, which will prove to be a great strategical move.

Next David will meet up with Ziba, and really all I have to say to that is beware of those who come bearing gifts. Ziba is a liar, liar pants on fire! He is lying about Mephibosheth, David hears his lie and without consulting God, makes a rash decision to give this worm of a guy all that belonged to Mephibosheth. Ughhh! 

My favorite part of today’s reading, though, is when David, while walking down the road, a man named Shimei sees him coming and starts hurling rocks, insults and false accusations at David. David, as king, could have had this guy taken down in a heartbeat, but he didn’t. Instead David kept walking and instructed his men to leave Shimei alone as he continued to abuse, both physically and mentally, David and his troops. 

1 Peter 3:9 says “Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you”. Sometimes people strike out at us in anger when it has nothing to do with us at all, you just happen to be in “the right place at the right time”, available when they need to vent. You never know what someone else is going through, how their heart may be hurting, or how stinkin’ hard life is for them right then or perhaps they have physical pain that is overriding their usually pleasant personality. It could be anything, and I am not suggesting that it is okay to be abusive to anyone at any time, or be a mean mouther, I am simply saying, that whether it is personal or not, try not to reciprocate anger with anger, more times than not it serves only to fuel the fire. Instead quench the angry flames with love. Paul, who forever a imprisoned somewhere wrote in Ephesians 4:1-2 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” 

I would encourage you to NOT let the evil one rejoice and do the happy dance because he got you to show your ugly side. No! No! NO! Reject him!! Instead, be like David here and show the love of Christ, you never know who will see your act of tenderness and patience and want what you have in the Lord. Amen?

Have a good day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …