2Sam. 13:1- 2 years after
David’s sin with Bathsheba. David is 53, Amnon is 22, Absalom is 20, Tamar is
15, Solomon is 2.
Amnon is the crown prince
born of a different mother than Absalom and Tamar. Their mother is Maccha of
Geshur (A Pagan?) Problem with multiplying wives. Would Amnon raped his own
sister?
v.3- Jonadab, David’s cousin,
seeking favor from crown prince.
v. 12- Tamar not just
concerned for own self, but for holiness in Israel.
v. 13- Is Tamar willing to
marry as well as stop attack? To prevent consequences to her and Amnon? Perhaps
not. Such a marriage is prohibited by God’s Law- Lev. 18: 9, 20:17, Dt. 27:22.
v. 15- hate greater than
love, she was just a temporary object, Amnon like Esau, seeking immediate
gratification.
v. 16- Her virginity stolen,
she had nothing to offer to a potential husband. He refused to marry her,
violating God’s Law. See Dt. 22:29.
v. 17-18- Amnon leaves
impression Tamar tried to seduce him, though she was wearing the symbol of
being the king’s virgin daughter (Sign of king’s favor, like Joseph). Treated
shamefully. Just as David acted, so did Amnon. He acted as if he could do what
he wanted without regard for God and His Law. He coveted after Tamar, seized
her, bore false witness.
v.19- ashes on head- sign of
great mourning. Torn robe is sign of lost virginity.
v. 20- Absalom doesn’t want
Tamar to cause a scandal.
v. 21- David doesn’t carry
out Law. Incest punishable by death.He loved his 1st born, daughters
were not as important.
v. 22- spoke not at all=
bided time
v.23- sheep shearing a
festival with food, drink.
v. 25- king’s mighty men
would have to accompany him.
v. 26- Amnon would be king’s
representative, David had misgivings because of their strained relationship.
v. 28- violation of Eastern
hospitality, God’s Law against vengeance. David violated 4 of 10 commandments
with Bathsheba, Uriah. Absalom, Amnon together guilty of coveting , bearing
false witness, murder.
Absalom makes self successor
to the throne.
v. 29- fear for their lives,
didn’t want to be associated with this.
v. 32- same one who had given
Amnon idea of seducing Tamar.
v. 37- where his mother’s
people were from.
v. 38-39- David longed for
his son.
2Sam. 14: 7- Law against
blood vengeance, Num. 35: 9-21.
v. 2- Joab concerned about
instability this situation could cause.
v. 7- God’s Law prevents
families from being wiped out. Dt. 25: 5-6, Ruth 2: 20.
Try to convince David of
coming disaster over fight over succession.
v. 9- blame for unpunished
crime. Wiping out family line as serious as murder.
v. 13- Implies David guilty
of blood murder for not forgiving Absalom.
v. 14- woman distorting God’s
justice, Gen. 9:6. Emphasize God’s mercy. David’s own crimes adds weight to
arguments.
v. 25-26- hair weighed 3
pounds.
v. 32- no sign of repentance.
v. 33- David sidesteps
repentance, justice. Helps fulfill Nathan’s prophecy.
2Sam. 15:1-9_ Absalom steals
the devotion of the people due to his father.
v.1 Absalom looked like a
king in the people’s eyes.
Heir to the throne violated
the Law- 1st Israelite leader to have many horses and chariots. Acquired 50 men. Appeal to the masses who
like to follow those who look like a winner. Remember what David did with horses and
chariots- 2nd Sam. 8:4
v. 3-4- No inquiry into
justness of complaints. Absalom bears false witness against David.
Deputy=listener. David always acted for the vulnerable, the oppressed (except
in the case of Uriah, Tamar) . Kingdom knew about Amnon and Tamar. When Absalom
says there is no justice in the land, the people would remember what happened
to his sister. Absalom took matters into own hands, exploit David’s weakness,
the love for his eldest son.
v.7- four years, or 40 years
after David’s anointing, David is about 56.
Hebron was considered the
capital of Israel before David made Jerusalem capital. Where David was
proclaimed king, where Absalom was born. Local resentment for losing capital?
v. 11- 200 innocent men.
There when rebellion started. Looked like they were supporting Absalom, look
like Absalom has many supporters. Look of success results in many followers.
v. 12- Ahitophel- Bathsheba’s
grandfather. Is he resentful of David’s conduct with Bathsheba, Uriah? David
writes of this betrayal in Ps. 41:9, 55: 12-14.
v. 18- King’s mighty men.
v.19- concerned for the weak,
oppressed, foreigners in the land, a Philistine.
v. 14- spare Jerusalem a
blood bath.
v. 16- David unknowingly
arranging fulfillment of Nathan’s prophecy.
v. 25- ark not a magical
thing.
v. 26- David knows he has no
exclusive claim on the throne.
2Sam. 16: 1- Ziba, the
servant who David contacted about Saul’s family in 2Sam. 9. Waiting for David.
v.3-4- son of master can
refer to Saul or Jonathan. Son/grandson=Mephibosheth.
Ziba lies. Makes David think
Mephibosheth disloyal, ungrateful, delusional. David does not seek
Mephibosheth’s life. He still was true to his covenant with Jonathan. He just
took all the property he gave to Mephibosheth and gave it to Ziba.
v.7-8- David isn’t
responsible for the death of any in Saul’s family. Saul’s family ungrateful, no
respect for God’s anointing of David.
v.9- Abisai- David’s cousin,
son of his sister Zuriah. Wanted to kill Saul.
v.10- David not of the same
nature as Joab/Abishai.
v. 11-12- Shimei cursing
David because God making him? Perhaps God will see and vindicate David. Or has
God chosen to terminate David’s kingship? David accepts God’s judgment. Will not kill Shimei; David, a picture of
Christ as merciful to the undeserving.
v. 15-19- Hushai tricking
Absalom
v. 21-22- fulfillment of
Nathan’s prophecy (see 2Sam. 12: 11-12). Taking concubines was the same as
taking the throne. Act also signified a complete break with his father.
v. 23- A sign of how
respected Ahithophel was, why his defection so gauled David
2Sam. 17: 14- God was working
to defeat rebellion against his anointed in answer to David’s prayer in 2Sam.
15:31.
v. 17- grandsons of priests
Zadok and Abiathar.
v. 23- knew after adice
rejected that David would win the struggle.
v. 25- Joab loyal to cousin
David.
Not the same Abigail that was
David’s wife. Through another wife of David’s father Jesse.
v. 27- chieftain, tributaries
of David. Shows the support of wealthy, influencial persons for David.
2Sam. 18: 1-4- entire
fighting force divided so the whole would not be taken.
Itti- see 2Sam. 15:19.
Men don’t want to be pursued,
so don’t want David with them. Also, David is now older, not as strong. See
2Sam.17:2 . David does not object. He is humble, even as king.
v. 5- David knew Joab, son of
Zuriah. Hoped to keep him from killing Absalom. Love of son almost a fatal
weakness.
v. 12-13- loyal to David,
soldier spares own life, would not touch the son of God’s anointed.
v. 16- spared people because
Absalom was dead.
v.17- not the way royalty is
buried, buried like Achan and sons. Contrast to Absalom’s own memorial.
v. 20-21- Joab doesn’t know
how David will react.
v. 22- had not seen Absalom’s
death.
v. 33- David knew his sin
with Bathsheba brought about the deaths of Amnon, Absalom.
2Sam. 19: 1-4- victory
celebration turned into mourning.
v.5- the army put their lives
on the line for David
v. 6- Absalom responsible for
the slaughter.
7. king must go out and
review the troops, or will be abandoned.
v. 9-12- rebellion started in
Jerusalem. David wanted to recement ties of Judah with himself, kingdom. Bring
king back into Jerusalem in triumph.
Why is Judah, my own people,
the last the king back into Jerusalem?
v.13- punishment for Joab?
David hopes to cement his followers loyalty.
v. 15-20- seeking David’s forgiveness. By now it was
understood that David was a forgiving king.
House of Joseph- a phrase
representing all those who had opposed Judah.
v. 21-22- Abishai- Joab’s
brother, son of Zuriah. Wanted to kill Saul. Again David says “What have I to
do with you, son of Zuriah?” David not of same nature as Joab, Abishai, David’s
cousins. No one dies on day king restored to throne.
v.24- Mephibosheth shows
signs of mourning, loyalty for David from very beginning of rebellion.
v. 26-28- Mephibsheth loyal,
Ziba lied. Knows David is merciful, see 2Sam. 9: 1-8.
v.29- punish Ziba, through
division of land. At this point, David doesn’t know who is telling the truth.
David keeps covenant, even though he knows someone is deceiving him, like
Israel kept covenant with Gibeonites.
v. 30-Mephibosheth shows his
unselfish loyalty to David.
v. 40-43- other tribes fear
Judah will dominate other tribes. Tension comes out during rebellion. David
careful not to show favoritism to own tribe. Precursor of rift which will
divide kingdom after Solomon’s death.
2Sam. 20: 1- saw the division
between Judah, rest of tribes, saw opportunity to exploit, a Benjamite, loyal
to Saul, hope to regain throne for tribe, self. Many felt that David favored
his tribe above others.
Rebel=Son of Belial- used for
all trouble makers like Eli’s sons.
v. 2- division foreshadows
division of kingdom.
v. 3- defiled, David remains
aloof sexually. His actions were a kindness, could have expelled or killed
concubines. Also, a reassertion of royal power.
v. 4-6- David bypasses Joab
twice.
v. 7- David relies on small,
elite force, the Mighty Men, mainly non-Israelite. Joab still recognized as
leader.
v. 9- still a common practice
among Arab countries today.
v. 10- 2nd time
Joab commits murder to secure his position, takes command without permission.
v. 11- Joab demonstrates
loyalty to David.
v. 12- men had respect for
the dead. Maybe didn’t want contact with the dead, be unclean? Amasa’s body
treated with contempt.
v. 18- Abel considered a
place of wise counsel, old woman one of the counselors, faithful Israelites.
v. 19- “mother in Israel”=a
city of influence, respect.
v. 22- Joab returns with
public testimony of defeating David’s enemies, position entrenched. David can’t
remove him.
2Sam. 21.
v. 1-14- Between the time of
David’s kindness to Mephibosheth and Absalom’s rebellion. Historical Chronology
not always important to ancient writers, whether biblical writers or
non-biblical.
v.1- This campaign against
the Gibeonites not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. Gibeonites not Israelite
by descent, but occupied a portion of the territory of Benjamin, Saul’s tribe.
v. 2- Gibeonites were Canaanites
who tricked Joshua and Israel into covenant of protection, which Saul and
family violated. A covenant in God’s
name, no matter the circumstances as to how it came about, has to be honored.
God’s reputation is at stake.
“bless”- Gibeonites could rightly
call a curse down on the land.
v. 4- Gibeonites forbidden
from legal redress against an Israelite? Against God’s Law- Ex. 22:21, Lev.
19:34, 24:22, Dt. 1: 16-17, 24: 17, 27:19.
Did Saul make up a law in opposition to God’s Law?
6. Gibeah- Saul’s home.
Gibeonites refer to Saul’s
anointing as king by God.
v. 7- David spares
Mephibosheth and his son (s) because of of his covenant with Jonathan.
v. 8- sons of a concubine and
sons of Saul’s 1st daughter that had been originally been promised
to David for killing Goliath.
v. 9- they were probably part
of Saul’s persecution, because son’s not supposed to be punished for father’s
crimes.
v. 10- to allow bodies to be
ravaged by birds or wild animals was considered the greatest insult or
degradation of the dead.
Rain signaled the lifting of
the curse, Saul’s sins atoned for.
v. 10-14- David saw Ritzpah’s
kindness, remembered kindness of Jabesh Gilead in risking lives to take Saul
and son’s bodies from the Philistines, decides to perform one last act of
kindness to Saul’s family.
v. 17- David getting old,
Israel knows David’s importance as the Lord’s anointed, the covenants made by
God concerning him, a member of the family always on the throne.
As stated before, ancient
writers, biblical or pagan, were more concerned with theme than with
chronology. So, we consider the last days of David and the struggle for
succession before we finish 2Sam.
1Kings 1:1- David about 70,
old for the time, battle weary.
v. 2- a young woman who would
also remain a virgin so not to complicate succession.
v. 5- Adonijah younger
brother of Absalom, Tamar. 35 years old. Result of violating Dt. 17:17. Also,
mother may not have been an Israelite. Just as Absalom did, disobeyed Dt.
17:16.
No rule of succession in the
Law. David could choose whom he wanted to follow him on the throne. He had
promised it to Solomon, 1Chron. 22: 6-10, 28: 1-7. All Israel knew this,
including Adonijah.
v. 6- David hasn’t learned
lesson, will not reign in sons.
v. 7- Abiathar- only priest
to escape Saul when Saul murdered the priests- 1Sam. 22- for helping David.
Descendant of Eli, whose priestly family was under a curse from God.
v. 8- Benaiah- commander of
David’s mighty men, rival to Joab, commander of David’s army. Reason Joab sided
with Adonijah.
v. 9- victory celebration,
look like a winner.
v. 17- oath taken in the
Lord’s name, not voidable.
v. 24- Nathan doesn’t really
know if David has sidede with Adonijah. After all, David had history of
indulging sons.
v. 33- for Solomon to ride
David’s mule was a sign that David favored Solomon as king.
v. 34- only God’s anointed
could sit on the throne, throne not for the taking.
v. 42- son of Abiathar, spied
on Absalom for David.
v. 49- When Adonijah’s
supporters heard this, they abandoned him.
v. 51- those in fear for
their life often sought asylum at the altar.
v. 52- Solomon as forgiving
as David. Picture of Christ. Adonijah not responsible for slaughter like
Absalom. Forgiveness is not trust. Adonijah had to prove himself.
1Kings2: 2-3- walk according
to the Law of Moses, under a covenant.
v. 4- promise to David
conditional, based on obedience to Mosaic Law, Mosaic covenant.
v. 5-6- Joab killed in
violation of the Law, didn’t kill in battle. Violated covenant David made with
Abner, killed him in city of refuge. Amasa’s killing unlawful as well. Joab’s
treachery, by siding with Adonijah, gives David an opportunity to bring
judgment on Joab.
v. 7- Barzillai loyal to
David during Absalom’s rebellion.
Now we return to 2Sam. We
will examine the last 3 chapters, working backwards. The author (s) chose to
end 2Sam. with an event which shows the two sides of David, the sinner, and the
repentant one. David’s portrayal is not airbrushed, but we see the consequences
when one follows God and when a follower chooses sin.
2Sam. 1: Did God cause David
to sin? See 1Chron. 21:1. God allowed Satan to influence David, see James 1:13.
Like when God hardened Pharaoh’s already hardened heart, when God sent an evil
spirit to enter Saul, and when a demon entered Judas, compel them to do evil
when they allowed it in their own heart. David was probably trusting in his own
strength. David told Goliath the battle is the Lord’s, but here David shows a
lack of trust. Also, God angry with whole nation, scripture doesn’t say why.
Also, David violated God’s Law concerning the census, see Ex. 30: 11-16. A
census was to be an act of worship, a way to raise a tax given in faith as an
atonement for sins, to support the Tabernacle. Not done here, but used to
number troops for battle, rely on numbers for strength when they were to rely
on God, violation of rules for kings, see Dt. 17: 14-20. Stated punishment,
plagues. David knew this when God gave him the 3 choices. David chose what was
in the Law, even though it may have been the most severe to the people. David
in anguish when he sees his people punished.
David took responsibility, Saul always had an excuse.
v. 18-25- God commands David
to build an altar, located on Mt. Moriah, where Abraham offered up Isaac (Gen
22: 2), the location of Solomon’s temple.
Araunah’s offer refused.
David treated the people justly, according to God’s Law. Will not use position
to gain unfair advantage. Animals not paid for not an acceptable sacrifice. To
sacrifice them would offend God. The site of Israel’s future worship would not
be compromised in such a way. David’s conduct, his faith and repentance, ended
the plague.
2Sam23- Not necessarily
David’s last words on his death bed, but his last poetic statement.
v. 1- David acknowledges
humble origins, and how it was God who anointed him king.
The God of history, the same
God who increased Jacob preserved David and made an everlasting covenant with
him.
Sweet psalmist wrote Israel’s
hymnbook, Jesus’ prayer book.
2. Spirit spoke through David
while David responded to circumstances, as explanations at beginning of many
Psalms attest.
v. 3-4- kings who rule
righteously are like those described in Ps. 1: 2-3 and Dt. 17: 18-20. Righteous
rule stems from meditation upon and obedience to God’s Law.
v. 5- God made everlasting
covenant with David who thinks this refers only to throne in Jerusalem. But his
family will rule forever in Jesus Christ.
v. 6-7- Those who don’t
follow God’s Laws will be destroyed , like David’s own sons.
2Sam. 22: 1- This chapter is
almost the same as Ps. 18. Probably written between the time when David subdued
his enemies and his sin with Bathsheba.
v. 2- The Lord is a rock,
deliverer, not like idols. Only God can protect.
v. 3- David trusts in God,
not himself, a public confession to his people and his enemies.
A personal God v. impersonal
idols.
v. 5-18- A personal God who
cares for each of those who trust and obey Him, one who is angry when His
followers are oppressed. David was God’s anointed, see v. 8-9.
v. 21-25- written before
David’s sin.
David had clean hands because
he obeyed God’s Law which is the essence of pleasing God. If faithful, God will
be faithful.
v. 26-28- God’s relationship
with David can be had by anyone who trusts and obeys Him.
v. 50- David will praise
God’s name to the Gentiles. For what purpose? So that the Gentiles would also
follow His Laws.
v. 51- Repeat the promise,
David’s family will always be on the throne forever, fulfilled through Jesus.
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