Teaching Notes

II SAMUEL

In our last study we saw David's sin with Bathsheba and how David, because he refused to repent of his sin, got deeper and deeper into it, until it finally, by the command of David, lead to murder. And for one whole year David held this sin of adultery and murder in his heart, until God completely exposed it through the prophet Nathan. And then David repented of his sin. David deserved the death penalty for adultery and murder, 2 of 22 crimes for which the death penalty was to be carried out. But God was gracious and merciful to David, and told him that He will not die for his actions. In fact God not only forgave David, but had cast away the sin of David. The problem though is this, there are consequences to our actions, and God pointed this out to David. He said "The sword shall never depart from your house" David, and as we move into chapter 13, we will see how true that statement is.

II SAMUEL 13

VERSE 1

1. Amnon was David's first born and heir to the throne in Israel. Absalom was David's third born and Tamar was the sister of Absalom and thus, Amnon's half-sister. David was their father, but Amnon and Absalom had different mothers.

VERSE 2

1. Amnon had an obsession over Tamar, so much so that he was sick over not being able to have her. It was not love that he had for Tamar, but lust, as we shall see.

VERSE 3

1. Jonadab was Amnon's cousin, and by his counsel, not a real friend. You see, a true friend does not lead you, encourage you to sin. A true friend will direct you away from sin and back to God. Not a popular idea today, but that does not change the reality of it.

VERSES 4-10

1. Amnon was so infatuated with Tamar that he became physically sick because he could not have her. So Jonadab comes up with this plan for Tamar to come and take care of Amnon in his sickly condition. And understand that Amnon was not a child that he needed to be cared for in this manner, but he was surely acting like one. And Tamar was beautiful, sweet, and innocent, and she came to assist her half-brother, to care for him.

VERSES 11-13

1. Tamar is shocked over Amnon's intentions and is pleading with him to reconsider and not do this evil. It would not only bring disgrace upon her, but upon him also. How could he be thenext king in Israel after committing such a horrible crime? She tell's Amnon to do this the proper way and ask dad for her hand in marriage. She rightly recognized the consequences of his actions, but he was to lust struck to acknowledge or see his wrong.

VERSE 14

1. Notice the character of this guy, she says no, so he rapes her!

VERSE 15

1. Now you see why I said this was lust and not love that Amnon had for her. You don't turn love on and off like a light switch, that is lust. And love is not just the sex act, but a relationship. In fact having sex is just the fruit of that relationship. Today the focus is having sex, and thus, there is no relationship. And for Amnon, it was just another mountain to climb, another notch on his belt buckle. Once she was conquered, he wanted nothing to do with her anymore. And I get the impression from reading this, that as soon as he was finished, he tossed her out. That my friends is not love, but lust!

VERSE 16

1. Besides being raped, disgraced, abused, now he wants to toss her out like a used rag, but she is telling him that now that he has done this to her, he is going to do the right thing and marry her.

VERSES 17-19

1. Before he was sick because he could not have her, and now he is bolting her out of his mind and his life. He is through with her and he can put another notch on his belt buckle.

2. Tamar on the other had was devastated by all that had happened to her, and rightly so. And her robe which symbolized her virginity was now torn and she was mourning over the situation. And all who saw her would recognize what had happened to her, but by who?

VERSE 20

1. It is interesting that Absalom recognized what Amnon had done, and it may speak of Amnon's on going problem with lust. Who could refuse to sleep with the heir to the throne? And it seems that he had a reputation for this kind of behavior, and Absalom knew right away who had done this. And Absalom would not forget what Amnon did to his sister, and he is going to wait for the most opportune time to get his revenge. In the mean time he takes care of his sister Tamar, and hides his feelings towards Amnon.

VERSE 21

1. Those of you who have daughters, if this happened to them, you would be angry, but that anger would also lead to action. David did nothing in regards to this situation. Yes there is a time to be angry but there is also a time to act, and now was the time to do something about Amnon's actions. But maybe David was feeling guilty over his sin with Bathsheba. His sexual sin was just as bad as his son's and so how could he say anything against him? Wrong way to think! The enemy messes us up with that kind of reasoning. Yes we make mistakes but our mistakes do not negate our responsibility to discipline our children. David was not a good disciplinarian and his children reflected that. Solomon wrote over and over again on training up a child, and you may ask why? Because he saw the effects in his own family, and he wanted others to learn from their mistakes!

VERSE 22

1. Now we see the character of Absalom. He does not strike out at Amnon in the heat of anger for raping his sister. He is able to harbor those feelings for two full years before doing anything. He hid that hatred in his heart until the right time came, and then he would get his revenge.

VERSES 23-27

1. Sheep shearing was a festive time and as Absalom was finishing up shearing the sheep he asked his father if the family could get together and celebrate. But David refuses to go but allows his son Amnon to represent him there, as he was the heir to the throne, and the rest of David's sons go along.

VERSES 28-29

1. As they sat eating and drinking, Absalom's servants kill Amnon, and then there is panic around the table. The other brothers flee for their lives, for they thought they were next on the hit list. You see, it was not uncommon for one son to kill his brothers so that he would be uncontested for the throne. (Judges 9:4-6, Abimelech killed 70 of his brothers to get to the throne).

VERSE 30

1. It is amazing how distorted the truth can get, even in a short period of time.

VERSES 31-36

1. Jonadab was the one who instructed Amnon on how to get his sister alone, and thus he rightly recognized that Absalom was only after Amnon for his actions, and not the other brothers.

VERSES 37-38

1. Why in the world would Absalom flee to Geshur, on the east side of the Jordan River? Because his grandfather, Talmai, was the king of Geshur. Thus he heads to grandpa's house for safety. Absalom was the son of Maacah and David. (II Samuel 3:3).

VERSE 39

1. David had accepted the fact that his son Amnon was dead, and he now longed to see his son Absalom. But there was a huge obstacle in the way - PRIDE! David could not get past that nor could Absalom. Neither would be the first to say they were sorry or wrong, and try to heal the wounds. Thus they remained far apart for three years.

2. How many families today do the same thing. No one wants to humble themselves and heal the wounds. They would rather go to the grave before admitting they were wrong and say that they are sorry. And tragically many do without ever coming face to face with each other.

II SAMUEL 14

VERSES 1-2

1. Joab was David's nephew, his sister Zeruiah's son. And Joab saw how much David longed to see his son Absalom, but he would not make the first move to heal the hurt. And I'm sure Joab tried to get David to take that step, but when it kept failing he resorts to plan B. He is going to send a woman to come to king David with this story of what has happened in her family and bring her fears to him. This woman was from Tekoa, which was about 5 miles from Bethlehem.

VERSES 3-7

1. The story is this; "My husband is dead. I am a widow with two sons. One day they got into a fight and one killed the other. Now my family wants me to deliver him to the avenger of blood for killing his brother, so that he might be put to death. In doing so, my family will die also, for I have no other sons, and this one is the only spark that keeps me going." You see, this woman is not coming before the king and asking for justice, but for mercy regarding this situation.

VERSES 8-10

1. She is not looking for a promise from the king but for a official judgment, thus, she keeps pressing the issue.

VERSES 11-12

1. David makes the judgment on this situation and it reminds me of how he responded to the story that Nathan told him. The story of the rich man who had many flocks and herds and thepoor man who had one little ewe lamb. And that ewe lamb he loved like a daughter, it was part of his family. And the rich man was entertaining a guest, and to feed this guest he did not take from his own flock but this little ewe lamb of the poor man. And David's response was that this man was not only going to repay four fold the poor man, but this rich man was going to be put to death for his actions. "Then Nathan said to David, `You are the man!'" David's sin with Bathsheba was exposed through this story and once again David is going to fall for a story and make himself guilty.

2. David did not know it yet, but he has just issued a statement protecting Absalom from the death penalty for premeditated murder.

VERSE 13

1. This woman now tells David that he has issued mercy to her son while he has not shown mercy to his own son. And she is saying that in this story, David was like her ruthless relatives that wanted to put to death her son. And the grieving widow is like the nation of Israel. You see, Absalom was like the son, and as a prince he did belong to the people, the nation. And his death, be it physical or through separation, affected the entire nation. She is pleading with the king to show mercy to his son as he had shown mercy to her son.

VERSES 14-17

1. She goes on to say that one day we all will die, and in death you can not be gathered back together. There is a finality to death. And she points to God's mercy towards us. We all deserve damnation, separation from Him, but God DEVISED a plan in which we could be restored back to Him, and that is through Jesus Christ. (See Ezekiel 18:20-23).

2. She is telling the king, "David, just as God has devised a way to restore us back to Him by His mercy, so you should receive your son back to yourself through your mercy towards him."

VERSES 18-21

1. David rightly recognized that Joab was behind all of this. For three years Joab was trying to get David to heal the wounds between him and his son, and now Joab put this woman in the spot light so David could see his wrong in this situation. And David gives in and tells Joab to get Absalom and bring him back. But David is truly not ready to restore that relationship as we shall see.

VERSES 22-24

1. Ever since Joab went behind David's back and killed Abner, Joab was trying to get back on David's good side. But they never really were close friends.

2. Absalom is now in Jerusalem, but David refuses to see him. It is going to be another two years before that happens and how sad that is. It is amazing how our pride can get in the way ofrestoring friendship's, relationship's. Working in a hospital I see families that try to heal relationships on the death bed. And you know what, most of the time it doesn't work, it is too late. Don't let pride get the better of you and keep you from restoring relationships that have been severed.

VERSES 25-27

1. Outwardly, Absalom was good looking, a charismatic man. People were drawn to him. But inwardly he was very deceitful and wicked. And believe it or not, each year, when he got a hair cut, his hair weighed some 5 pounds. And I am sure that it was a source of pride for him, but it will also become the thing that entangles him and leads him to his own death.

VERSES 28-29

1. It has now been five years since David has seen his son Absalom face-to-face. He has not completely forgiven Absalom for his actions and yet God has graciously forgiven David for his sin. Forgiveness is tough for us, and yet look at what we have done against God and yet He has forgiven us. May we be able to have that same kind of forgiveness towards others as He has towards us.

2. Absalom wants Joab to be the go between and get David to meet with him. But Absalom's two requests go unanswered by Joab, but Absalom will find a way to get Joab's attention.

VERSES 30-31

1. Absalom got Joab's attention very quickly and I think that God does that many times to us. We are not always listening or responding to His voice and He thus sets our fields on fire. And you know what happens? He gets our attention very quickly. Now we can prevent that by listening and responding in the first place, but if we don't, God does have ways of getting our attention focused back on Him.

VERSE 32

1. Absalom lets Joab have it. He feels if he is going to live in exile, it would be far better for him to be by his grandfather in Geshur, with his family, than to be living in Jerusalem and rejected by his father.

VERSE 33

1. Ever since David refused to deal with Amnon's actions, bitterness and anger grew inside Absalom, not only towards Amnon, but towards David also. Now five years have passed and they see each other and David gives Absalom a kiss. It is a kiss that was to little, to late. Absalom is now going to usurp the kingdom from David, not by force, but by deception. Remember, outwardly he was beautiful, but inwardly he was wicked. And his true colors are about to manifest themselves.

II SAMUEL 15

VERSES 1-6

1. Absalom was gathering a following and drawing the people away from David and to himself. He would get up early and sit at the gate, greeting people as they would go by. And he would listen to their complaints, their problems and encourage them that their case is strong, it is good. But the king and his men are too busy to see them and yet if he were a judge he would quickly settle the matter and see that justice was carried out. Absalom was a great politician. He kissed the babies and said what the people wanted to hear. And it is possible that David was so busy that he was removed from the people and Absalom saw this as a great opportunity to steal the hearts of the people away from David.

VERSES 7-9

1. Absalom is ready for a revolt at this time, his following has grown in these four years. So Hebron was going to be the place in which his revolution would start, the place he grew up and the place his father David began to rule as king. It is possible that the people of Hebron may have felt betrayed by David for moving the capitol from Hebron to Jerusalem. Thus, Absalom was safe to begin his overthrow in this city. Also, it was far enough away that David should not be able to do anything about it if he does find out.

VERSES 10-12

1. Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba, and it is possible that because of David's actions against his son-inlaw, killing him, that Ahithophel had alot of bitterness in his heart towards David. And when the right time came, he gave David his due reward, and sided with his son Absalom. And David is heartbroken over this, for Ahithophel was one of David's closest friends. In fact Psalm 55 speaks of this incident, this agony over the loss of a dear friend. (Psalm 55:12-15, 22-23. Psalm 41:9-12).

VERSES 13-14

1. The fight is gone in David and he just feels that this is God's judgment upon him for his sin. And instead of fighting and turning Jerusalem into a blood bath, he will leave it in the hands of God.

VERSES 15-16

1. David also has a loyal following who will leave the city with him. But he leaves 10 concubines behind to take care of his palace.

VERSES 17-21

1. A large following pass by David, even 600 Philistines from the city of Gath, who are now serving David. And Ittai, who just recently came to serve David, was leaving with David. And David encourages him to remain in the city, for who knows what lies ahead for us. But Ittai makes a commitment to David, in life or death, to serve David. Very similar to Ruth's commitment to Naomi in the book of Ruth. What a beautiful picture of a servant, willing to sacrifice all to follow the king.

VERSES 22-23

1. So David and all those who followed after him, left the city of Jerusalem, down the Kidron valley, over the top of the mount of Olives heading toward Mahanaim, on the east side of the Jordan River. (II Samuel 17:24).

VERSES 24-26

1. David leaves the whole situation in the hands of God. If God wants David to return, He will do it. And if not, then so let it be. But David also sends the ark back to where it belonged, in Jerusalem.

VERSES 27-29

1. Zadok and Abiathar were two chief priests whom David sent back to be spies for him. Ahimaaz was Zadok's son and Johnathan was Abiathar's son. VERSES 30-31 1. David finds out that his friend Ahithophel has turned his back on him and so David prays that his counsel will be foolishness toward Absalom and that is exactly what happens.

VERSE 32

1. Even in this low point in David's life, he still worships the Lord. We are to "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thessalonians 5:18. It is not always easy, but it is necessary!

VERSES 32-34

1. Hushai was an old man, and thus it would be difficult for him to travel with David. So David sends him back to be a spy for him, for he was going to be able to do more good in Jerusalem than with David.

VERSES 35-37

1. Absalom is now king and yet David has infiltrated his kingdom with several spies that will ultimately bring Absalom's kingdom down to the ground. Next week we will continue on and see what will transpire in this saga between David and his son Absalom.