Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Blood money

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 21:1–9, “Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.) Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD? And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you. And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them. But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.”

The Lord and Israel made a contract when they first came into the Promised Land. Israel promised the keep the commandments and the Lord promised to give Israel rain, good crops and a fruitful land, among other things. During David’s reign there was a drought and the rain didn’t come for three years. David understood that this must have a cause and he asked the Lord, through the proper channels, to let him know what was wrong. The Lord told David that Saul had broken an agreement that Joshua made with some of of the Amorites when Israel first entered the Land. The Gibeonites had tricked Joshua into making a treaty with them and, after that, Israel was committed to the treaty. When Saul became king, he was zealous for Israel and had started to kill the Amorites, thinking that he would finish the job that was started by Joshua all those years before. However, this was not in keeping with the solemn treaty and Israel had to atone for their sin. In those day, a relative was requited to avenge a murder so that Israel would be free from the blood of murdered people. A blood price had to be paid when a murder occurred. David consulted the Gibeonites and asked them what price should be paid for Saul’s crime. They asked that life should be given for life and required that seven of Saul’s descendants give up their lives to repay the debt. David saved Jonathan’s son because of the agreement that he had made with Jonathan but seven other descendants were killed to repay the blood debt.
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David at peace again

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 20:23–26: “Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites: And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder: And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.”

Now that all the threats to David’s kingdom were removed, David was able to settle down to rule his kingdom at peace. Joab, after murdering more than one of his rivals, was reinstated as the head of the army. David seems to have some weaknesses about his sons and some of his close supporters. He should have punished Joab when he first started to follow his own ways. He should also have disciplined Amnon and Absalom but didn’t. Benaiah, on of the mightiest warriors in Israel, was the commander of the guards regiments. Adoram was in charge of collecting taxes. Jehoshaphat was the official archivist and Sheba recorded the laws as they were made. Zadok and Abiathar, who helped David when he fled from Absalom, were the priests and a man called Ira was David’s chief of staff.
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A wise woman


Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 20:14–22, “And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him. And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee. And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear. Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter. I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall. Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.”

Joab followed after Sheba and eventually found him in a city in the north of Israel. Joab and his troops surrounded the city and they commenced a siege of the city. In order to take the city they built a large mound near the city walls and went close to moat around the walls. One of the women from the city called out to Joab and asked him if she could talk to him before he went any further. The people in the city were concerned about their city and they weren’t ready to sacrifice their city for Sheba’s sake. The people in the city found Sheba and beheaded him, after that they threw his head over the wall and Joab realised that he had dealt with Sheba and Sheba was no longer a threat to David’s kingdom. All the troops went back to their homes and Joab told David that the threat to his throne had been neutralised.
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Amasa's end

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 20:4–13, “Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present. So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us. And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out. And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab. And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still. When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.”

Amasa was the new head of David’s armies. He was told to do something about Sheba who was trying to take the kingdom away from David after the disagreement between the tribes. Amasa was told to muster his army and take them to meet Sheba and his supporters so that they could eliminate this new threat to David’s kingdom. Joab had his own supporters in the army so he took those men with him, the guards regiments were also mustered and marched out fight against Sheba. Joab was loyal to David but he also wanted to be in charge of the army himself. He met Amasa and killed him in cold blood. Joab left Amasa’s body lying on the side of the road so Joab’s brother Abishai moved the body away and covered it over with a coat.
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Monday, April 28, 2014

The ten women

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 20:1–3, “And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.”

There is always someone who is not a legitimate leader but wants to take the chance to become the leader even though they don’t have the ability or the support. This has always happened and still happens in some places today. When there was an argument between Israel and Judah a man called Sheba decided that he would take the opportunity and claim to be the king of Israel. Then many of the Israelis decided to follow Sheba and proclaim him as their king. On the other hand, David wanted to return home so he went back to Jerusalem. He had to care for the women that he left to care for his home when he fled from Jerusalem. Absalom had raped these woman sand David had to be careful about keeping the Law, especially the seventh commandment for, technically, the women had violated that commandment when Absalom had raped them. There are always some legalistic people in every community. David gave these women a pleasant place to live but they were kept locked up until the day they died.
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Fiercer words

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 19:40–43, “Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel. And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan? And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift? And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.”

After David’s army defeated Absalom’s rebels the Israelis decided that they should bring David back as king. However, the men of Judah were slower than than the men of Israel in this regard for Absalom was also from Judah. There was an argument between the men of Israel and the men of Judah about who the king belonged to but Judah won and they led the parade to bring the king back to his city.
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Friday, April 25, 2014

Chimham

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 19:31–39, “And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee. And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.”

Barzillai was a prosperous and well known man on the eastern side of the Jordan River. He fed and housed king David and his men when they crossed the river from his own resources. David wanted to reward Barzillai for his support and loyalty so he invited Barzillai to come back to Jerusalem with him. It was a great honour for any man to be invited to belong to the king’s inner circle. However, Barzillai was 89 years old. He was too old to enjoy this great honour and preferred to stay in his own home where he was comfortable. He asked the king to take another man called Chimham in his place. Chimham was young enough to enjoy the privileged and make the most of the king’s offer. Barzillai went a short way towards Jerusalem with the king and, when he was tired. He went back to his own home so that he could be in his own home.
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Mephibosheth and Ziba

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 19:24–30, “And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth? And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame. And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes. For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king? And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land. And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.”

Mephibosheth who was Jonathan, David’s best friend, son and Saul’s grandson came down to meet David. Even though David had made a contract with Jonathan to care for Jonathan’s family, he still asked Mephibosheth to explain himself. Mephibosheth was disabled as the result of an accident when he was a very young child so he was unable to do much for himself without a lot of help. Ziba had taken advantage of Mephibosheth’s condition hoping to gain favour with David for himself and elevate himself to a much better position. Mephibosheth explained this to David, telling the king about Ziba’s treachery. David decided to reward Ziba for helping him when he fled from Absalom but rewarded Mephibosheth for his loyalty even though he was disabled. Mephibosheth was just glad that David survived the civil was and returned to take his place as the anointed king.
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Shimei's confession

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 19:16–23, “And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David. And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king. And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’S anointed? And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel? Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.”

When David left Jerusalem, to avoid destroying the city in battle, Shimei had cursed him. Shimei belonged to the tribe of Benjamin and accused David of stealing Saul’s throne and being responsible for the former king’s death. When Shimei realised that David had won the battle he rushed down to the Jordan River to meet the king and beg for his forgiveness. Ziba was looking for some personal advantage himself as well so he went to meet David with his sons and his servants to show David what an important man he was and that he would make a great ally. Abishai, Joab’s brother, was a cruel and unforgiving man. He told the king that Shimei deserved to die for his actions. However, David was a forgiving man who trusted the Lord in everything. He forgave Shimei as he had refused to let Abishai kill him earlier. David believed that the Lord was in control when he was leaving Jerusalem and didn’t want to punish Shimei then in case the Lord had told Shimei to curse David. David maintained his recored of consistency, in both defeat and victory.
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Conduct the king over Jordan

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 19:9–15, “And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.  And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back? And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house. Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king? And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab. And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants. So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.”

David’s men won the battle between the armies but Absalom had spent some time trying to win the hearts of the nation. He had been quite successful in this venture although there were many who supported the anointed king. The Israelis took stock of their situation and realised that David had done far more for the nation that Absalom had. They remembered that David had fought many battles against their enemies and won many important victories for Israel. They decided to bring the king back to his city and accept him as king without question. David sent a message to the priest Zadok and asked him to gather support from Judah, his own tribe. David also remembered the part that Joab had played in bringing Absalom back to Israel after the prince had escaped to live with his mother’s people. David demoted Joab and made Amasa the head of the army in Joab’s place. The people of Judah came down to the Jordan River and welcomed David back to their territory.
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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Now therefore arise

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 19:1–8, “And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now. Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.”

All the troops who had supported David that day were expecting a great reception when they came back to the city for they had won a great victory. However, David was weeping for his son, instead of thanking them for fighting well on his behalf. They all felt ashamed because the king was acting as though they had lost the battle instead of winning it. When Joab heard about this, he went to the king and told him that he was behaving badly. These men had risked their lives that day to save the kingdom for David. The only way that David would have been able to secure the kingdom for himself was to make sure that Absalom didn’t return from the battle. Joab told David that he would loose the support of his best soldiers if he didn’t treat them with respect and gratitude for saving his kingdom from Absalom. David cleaned himself up and went to show respect and gratitude to his soldiers for the victory they had won for him.
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Ahimaaz and Cushi

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 18:19–33, “Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies. And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead. Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran. Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.  And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still. And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

The priest’s son had brought news to David from Jerusalem before the battle. He stayed with David’s army and wanted to bring the good news, that they had won the battle, back to the king. However, sometimes a person bringing bad news to a king, that Absalom was dead, would face the king’s anger and be killed for bringing the news. Joab didn’t wast Ahimaaz to face this danger so he told him that he wasn’t to bring the news back to the city. Joab sent another man, Cushi, to go and tell David that the battle was won. Ahimaaz was still eager to go with the good news so Joab let him go later. However, Ahimaaz found a shorter way than Cushi and he arrived back at the city first. Meanwhile, the king was waiting to hear of the battle and had lookouts on the city wall. When the lookouts saw the men running they told the using that two men were coming to the city with news of the battle. Ahimaaz arrived first and told the king that they had won the battle but didn’t tell David that Absalom was dead. On the other hand, Cushi told David that his son was killed in the battle. When David heard that his son was dead he began to weep and mourn for his son. He loved his son and had already forgiven him for trying to take the kingdom.
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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Absalom's end

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 18:9–18, “And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me. Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people. And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent. Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place.”

Absalom came into the battle riding a mule. He wanted to show that he was an important leader and not just an ordinary soldier. He saw some of David’s men and tried to escape from them. He went through the trees and was caught in the fork of an overhanging branch by his neck. He was caught tight and could do nothing to escape. The mule kept going and he was hanging in the air, unable to reach the ground with his feet. One of David’s men saw Absalom hanging there and he called Joab. Joab had already given David advice to stay in the city because if David died there would be no reason to fight. Joab knew that the same was true of Absalom as well. Absalom wanted to the the next king but if Absalom was killed in the battle then there would be no rival for David’s throne. Joab told the man that he should have killed Absalom then he went and killed Absalom himself. Once Absalom was dead there was no need for the battle to continue so Joab got his trumpeter to sound and alarm to signal the end of the battle. They took Absalom’s body and threw it into a pit in the forest and covered it over with stones. They did this so there would be no monument to Absalom and, hence, no place where a future rebellion could be fostered.Absalom had already set up a monument to himself for he was a vain man.
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Worth ten thousand

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 18:1–8, “And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also. But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city. And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands. And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom. So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men. For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.”

David prepared for battle because he knew that Absalom was determined to defeat him in battle. He divided his army into three divisions so that he wouldn’t lose all his troops in one battle. He chose tried experienced commanders for each section and planned to lead his men into battle himself. However, his generals told David that the battle was all about him. Absalom planned to kill David and didn’t really care about anyone else. If David was killed in the battle then all his men would have nothing to fight for. The generals persuaded David to remain in the city while they went out to the battle. David asked his men to treat Absalom gently because he stilled loved his son. The battle was fought in heavily forested country so that it was broken up into many small and separate engagements. Many soldiers were lost in the thick forest and perished because they were lost.
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Monday, April 21, 2014

Ahithophel's end

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 17:22–29, “Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan. And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother. So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead. And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.”

When David received the message from Hushai, he and his men crossed over the Jordan River to the territory belonging to the two and a half tribes that had stayed on the east of the Jordan. Ahithophel had gambled his future on Absalom becoming the king of Israel. When his advice was rejected he realised that the gamble had failed and he decided to take his own life rather than live without honour. Absalom gathered and army and followed David, hoping to find him and defeat the legitimate king’s army in a battle, legitimising his monarchy. Zeruiah and Abigail were David’s sisters so Absalom kept the military leadership among his own family. Absalom thought that this would be a wise strategy when he finally became king himself. David had established a great reputation as a courageous military leader so a member of his family would be sure to add dignity and skill to the new king’s army. When David reached the other side of the Jordan River, he found that there were many people who supported him as the king and wanted him to continue ruling the nation. In fact some of them brought equipment and food for David’s army to establish a camp and prepare for the battle that was to come.
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Arise, pass quickly over

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 17:15–21, “Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled. Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him. Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down. And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.”

While David chose to trust the Lord, he also used his influence to survive the trial he was facing. David wanted to protect the priests even though they were loyal to him. He could remember the time when Saul murdered an entire priestly family and he didn’t want that on his conscience again. However the priests wanted to support the Lord’s anointed as they were dedicated to serving the Lord in Israel. When Hushai discovered Absalom’s plans he spoke to the priests so that they could send a message to the king out in the countryside. When Hushai found out that Absalom was going to wait for a while, he sent messengers to tell David to keep going and not camp for the night. The priests’ sons went out to pass the message on to David but someone saw them leave and told Absalom that spies were going from the city. Absalom sent some of his soldiers to find those men but they found shelter in a house. The woman hid them in her well and covered the well with then put corn out to dry in the sun, on top of the well. Absalom’s followers couldn’t find the men so they went back to Jerusalem and the spies went on their way, bringing the message to king David.
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Friday, April 18, 2014

Ahithophel and Hushai

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 17:1–14, “Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou. And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time. For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.  Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there. 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.”

Absalom didn’t have any priest or the Ark so he wasn’t able to discover the Lord’s will as his father always did. He consulted Ahithophel instead. Ahithophel’s advice was very good. He told Absalom to send a strong contingent of soldiers to follow David immediately. They decided to come to David while he and his men were still disorganised and just kill David. If they were able to do that then the battle would be over and, without the king, no one would have anything to fight over. Absalom decided to check with Hushai just to be certain. David had prayed that Ahithophel’s good advice would be rejected and he had left Hushai to do what he could in that regard. The Lord answered David’s prayer and, when Hushai offered different advice, Absalom decided to to follow Hushai’s advice instead. Both men gave good advice in their own way but Absalom followed Hushai’s advice because the Lord didn’t want Absalom to triumph and David was the Lord’s anointed and His choice to lead Israel at that time.
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Absalom in Jerusalem

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 16:15–23, “And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence. Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.”

David left Jerusalem when he heard that Absalom was coming. Absalom came with his supporters and entered the city without any trouble. David’s foresight in leaving the city open paid off and it wasn’t damaged by any battle that may, otherwise, have taken place. Ahithophel, had been with Absalom when he planned to take the kingdom so he came in triumph into the city. When Absalom came, Hushai went to meet Absalom and proclaimed him as the king. Absalom was surprised because he knew that Hushai was David’s friend so he question Hushai on his quick desertion of David. Hushai was still acting as David’s friend so he had to think quickly or he would have lost his credibility and any chance to help David. Hushai knew that Absalom was a vain man and he told him that he wanted to support the new king, who was David’s son after all, as he had supported the old king. In those days, a conquering king would rape the old king’s wives to show that he was more powerful than the old king. Ahithophel told Absalom to do that with David’s concubines, who had been left behind to watch David’s palace. Absalom had now way back after following this advice but he didn’t mind. Ahithophel had such a great reputation that everyone believed consulting him was the same as consulting a priest who was using Urim and Thummim to find the Lord’s will on any matter.
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Thursday, April 17, 2014

Shimei

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 16:5–14, “And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.”

Bahurim was a town on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. It was in the territory belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. When David reached this town as he was escaping from Absalom a man called Shimei began to curse David. Shimei was related to the former kings, Saul, and blamed David for Saul’s death and taking Saul’s kingdom. Abishai, who was Joab’s brother, said that he would kill Shimei and stop this man from cursing the king. David refused to let this happen because he believed that the Lord may have told Shimei to curse him and he didn’t want to go against the Lord. David and his army stopped soon after that and rested for the night.
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Ziba's betrayal

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(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 16:1–4, “And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. And the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father. Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.”

As David was feeling from Jerusalem Ziba, who was Saul’s servant saw an opportunity to do something for himself. He came to the king and told him that Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, was hoping to use this episode as an opportunity to restore the kingdom to Saul’s family, namely himself. Ziba was happy to the king’s servant but, once Saul was dead, there was no honour in serving the crippled grandson of a former king. Ziba was hoping to take advantage of the fact the Mephibosheth was disabled and unable to defend himself. David had many things on his mind and trusted that Ziba was an honourable man but Ziba wasn’t.
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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Hushai

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 15:31–37, “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. 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: Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me: 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. 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. 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. So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.”

Ahithophel was known as a wise and clever counsellor. His opinion was highly respected and David was concerned that Ahithophel’s counsel would be accepted and he would not be able find a defence against Ahithophel’s plans. He prayed to the Lord to destroy Ahithophel’s counsel. After this another of David’s advisors and his close friend, Hushai, came to flee with David. David saw an opportunity that the Lord had presented to him after his prayer. He asked Hushai to stay in Jerusalem and give contrary advise to any that Ahithophel gave. After all, Hushai was an intellectual and wasn’t used to living hard and fighting battles. David would have to make and extra effort to take care of Hushai if Hushai came along. Hushai knew that there were to two priests who were supporting David in the city and they they had their sons who would be able to bring any messages to David. Hushai stayed in Jerusalem to look after David’s interests and give him any intelligence that would be helpful as he tried to retain the kingdom.
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Zadok

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(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 15:24–30, “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. 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: 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. 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. See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. 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.”

As David set out to leave Jerusalem, the Priest Zadok wanted to go with him away from the city. Zadok wanted to go with the Levites who were carrying the Ark. The memory of Uzzah was still fresh in everyone’s minds so they made sure that the Ark was carried in the proper way. David could remember Saul and Ahimelech (see 1 Sam 22: 6-19) and didn’t want to be responsible for the massacre of more priests. He told Zadok to remain in Jerusalem with Ark and, if the Lord was willing, he would see the priests when he came back. However, Zadok also had the ability to communicate the Lord’s message, and would know what to do, so he should stay in Jerusalem with his sons and they sons could bring messages to the king if there was anything the king needed to know. David left the city in mourning. He uncovered his head and walked with nothing on his feet to show that he was in deep distress.
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Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Ittai

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(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 15:13–23, “And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 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. And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.”

Some people who were loyal to king David brought him a message saying that the people from Israel were following Absalom in Hebron. David didn’t change his usual plan of action and decided to trust the Lord to care for his interests. He chose to leave Jerusalem with his advisors and his two guards regiments, the Cherethites and the Pelethites and head away from Jerusalem. David didn’t want to have a large, bloody battle in Jerusalem so that the city would be destroyed or badly damaged. He though it would be better to leave the city and try to entice Absalom to come out to another place for the showdown. Ittai, the Gittite didn’t come from Israel but was one of David’s friends and supporters. David encouraged Ittai to stay in Jerusalem so that he wouldn’t face death or injury in an Israeli battle that didn’t really involve his loyalties. However, Ittai was loyal to David and said that he would prefer to be with David. The king left some of his concubines, slave women, behind to look after his home while he was away. They all moved over the brook Kidron, Jerusalem had steep valleys to in places but this exit gave David a much easier retreat.
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Absalom in Hebron

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 15:7–12, “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. 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. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 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. 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. 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.”

After some time, when Absalom was forty years old, he decided to push his plan a bit further. Firstly, he went to the king and told the king that he wanted to repay a vow that he had made while he was living in exile after he murdered his brother. Absalom went to Hebron, which was the home of the Judean leadership and the place where David reigned over Judah before he became king over all Israel. He had already made plans to lead a rebellion and needed a legitimate reason to be out of Jerusalem to put everything in motion. Absalom called for Ahithophel, who was the king’s most important advisor to come and help him with his rebellion.
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Monday, April 14, 2014

Absalom stole their hearts

Would you like to read James McNaught’s novel Sinking Sand”? click here: Sinking Sand
(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
2 Samuel 15:1–6, “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 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. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 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! 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. 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.”

In order to be considered as kingly material, Absalom had to be approved by the king. As soon as Absalom saw David and bowed in the king’s presence, everyone knew that he had been forgiven for murdering his older brother. Once this had happened Absalom started to do everything that he could to engage with average citizens and let the know that he was a wise and compassionate man. He sat beside the city gate, the place where the important people sat to meet their friends and let everyone know that they were important. Whenever someone came to see the king, Absalom saw them first and asked them about their problems. He told anyone who would listen how he would help them and be a good king. Before long, everyone began to respect Absalom and believe that he would make a good king. We may ask, “Why didn’t king David do anything about this?” King David had always trusted the Lord to care for his needs and he didn’t change his approach to living by faith at this stage.
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