This week we
will continue the study of the Book of 2 Samuel in the Old Testament.
(1) Read 12:14 and also Psalm 51:4. Why did David say to the Lord that “Against you only have I sinned”?
(2) Although the Bible only records a one-sentence reply of David to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord” (12:13), a fuller confession of David is recorded in Psalm 51, likely made after Nathan had left and he was faced with the certainty of the death of his son. In order to appreciate the genuineness of his confession it might be helpful if you could pen a confession as if you were David and compare it to what and how he confessed through this psalm:
a. As much as David’s sin was grave and heinous, how may we learn from his confession?
b. What do you think about Nathan’s affirmation that “The Lord has taken away your sin” (12:13)?
(3) The sin was David’s. Why did the Lord strike his son dead instead?
(4) Although the death of his son had already been declared through Nathan (12:14), why did David still plead with God, lying on the ground and fasting (12:16)? Would you have done the same?
(5) The servants were greatly puzzled by David’s change in attitude after his son’s death:
a. What was David’s explanation?
b. What might we learn from him concerning the death of someone dear to us?
(6) On the one hand, the Lord struck dead the first son born to Bathsheba; on the other hand, He “loved” Solomon to the point that He gave him the name Jedidiah, meaning “loved by the Lord”:
a. Why?
b. What does it say about God’s forgiveness?
(7) Why did Joab send a rather rude message to David in the battle against the Ammonites (12:27-28)? How was David’s response different from that of 11:1?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
本週我們繼續研讀舊約撒母耳記下；請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 請翻閱詩篇51:4，並參閱撒母耳記下12:14。為何大衛在犯罪後，對神說，「惟獨得罪了祢」？
(2) 這裡雖只記載大衛回答拿單先知短短的一句話：「我得罪耶和華了」(12:13) 但詩篇第51篇—相信是當先知拿單離去後，大衛面對兒子病重之時寫的—卻詳細記下他認罪的禱告。為能稍為深入的領會大衛認罪的懇切，我們不妨用一點時間，以自己代入大衛的心境。先寫下你認罪的禱告，然後再與大衛的禱告相比：
a. 大衛犯了極卑劣的惡行。從這篇詩篇我們對他的認罪有什麼了解？
b. 你對先知拿單所說：「耶和華已經除掉你的罪」(12:13) 有什麼感受？
(3) 犯罪的是大衛，為何神卻叫這淫亂所生的孩子死亡？
(4) 先知既已宣告這孩子必死(12:14)，為何大衛仍禁食、終夜躺在地上、為孩子懇求？你會同樣這樣作嗎？
(5) 僕人對大衛在孩子死後的行為大惑不解：
a. 大衛的解釋是什麼？
b. 在有至愛的人死亡時，我們可以從大衛身上學個什麼功課？
(6) 奇怪的是，在大衛與拔示巴再生一子時，這兒子竟為神所喜愛，神更親自給他起名「耶底底亞」—為耶和華所愛的意思：
a. 為何會如此？
b. 這顯示神的饒恕是怎樣的？
(7) 為何約押在與亞捫人爭戰時，向大衛發出似乎不大尊重的信息(12:27-28) ？大衛這一次的回應，與11:1的情形有什麼分別？
(8) 今天你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord'.” (2 Sam. 12:13)
As we have already considered, the sins of David — that of adultery and of murder — were grave and heinous, and worse, they were premeditated. From a human level, one wonders how such sins could be forgiven! However, the way God forgave his sins highlights the following spiritual truths:
- All sins are first and foremost committed against God: As people created by God and in His image, every time we sin, we have fallen “short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). In other words, we have robbed God of His glory with our sin. However, Nathan has reminded us of another consequence of our sin and that is, we “have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt” (2 Sam. 12:14). Indeed, every time we sin, we have given Satan the opportunity to insult the name of the Lord (Job 1:9-11). Since sins are primarily committed against the Lord, forgiveness is only possible to be given by Him:
- Forgiveness means complete restoration of our relationship with God: Sin leads to death, both physical and spiritual (Rom. 5:12, 6:16, 23 etc.); the forgiveness of God ultimately means the restoration of the presence of His Spirit in our life which is eternal life. However, in the case of David, in God’s immense mercy, even his physical death, which would be the just penalty of his heinous sins of adultery and murder, was spared, likely as an affirmation of God’s restoration of His presence in answer to his prayer (Ps. 51:11).
- Forgiveness means that God’s love for us has not diminished a bit because of our sin: while the striking dead of the son of David who was born out of adultery seemed harsh, perhaps it was necessary for God to demonstrate to all Israel that He did not play favorites — we all know that there is hardly a greater punishment than seeing our own children suffer because of our sins. However, God was quick to demonstrate not only that his forgiveness was complete, but also that He continued to love David as He took the initiative to name Solomon, Jedidiah which means “loved by the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:25). I do not know about you, upon reading this naming of Solomon, I feel like falling on my knees to worship God. I believe David did!
「大衛對拿單說：我得罪耶和華了！」 (撒下12:13)
我們剛思想過大衛的罪是何等的卑劣—犯的不但是姦淫和謀殺，更是借刀殺人的惡行！從人的層面來看，我們不禁的說，這是罪無可恕！但事實上，大衛是得到神的赦罪。這赦免更叫我們明白最少以下的真理：
(1) 所有的罪都是先向神犯的：作為按神形像所造的人，我們每一次犯罪都是「虧缺了神的榮耀」(羅3:23) ；也就是奪取了神的榮耀。先知拿單更指出，我們的罪「叫耶和華的仇敵大得褻瀆的機會」(撒下12:14) 。是的，每一次當我們犯罪時，是給撒但機會來譏諷我們的神(伯1:9-11) 。這樣，我們的罪既是先向神犯的，赦罪就只能由神而來；
(2) 赦罪是與神的關係得以完全的和好：罪的工價就是死(羅5:12; 6:16, 23等) ，包括了肉身和靈魂的死；不過神的赦免關係到我們靈魂的得救，這就是能與神復和，有祂永遠的同在與聖靈的內住；這就是永生。大衛這次所得的赦罪，是在神極度的憐憫底下的。他當得的死刑也被免卻，不過相信神是藉此表明應允他「不要從我收回祢的聖靈」的懇求(詩51:11) ；
(3) 神的赦免就是神的愛沒有減少的證明：在神擊殺大衛與拔示巴因淫亂所生的兒子時，我們或以為有點過嚴；但這是公義的神向以色列表明祂是不偏私，不容忍罪的。為人父母者都知道，沒有比自己的罪禍給兒女更大的審判！不過，神更要顯示祂的赦免是完全的，且要向大衛顯出祂對大衛的愛並沒有減少。這也同樣藉著向他與拔示巴所生的所羅門身上顯出來。神親自給他命名為「耶底底亞」—就是蒙耶和華所愛的意思(撒下12:25) 。我不曉得你的感受如何。當我讀到這裡，我不禁低頭敬拜這位如斯愛我們的神。
(1) Read Leviticus 20:17 to get a sense of the gravity of the sin of Ammon.
(2) Even though Ammon might be greatly attracted by the beauty of Tamar, what should he have done?
(3) Could Ammon blame his cousin, Jonadab, for his action? Why or why not? (1 Cor. 15:33)
(4) What was the request made by Ammon to David?
a. Should it not seem odd to David?
b. Do you think David had any inkling about what was going on?
c. What does David’s compliance with Ammon's request say about David? (Ammon was his first-born!)
(5) Since Ammon had time to plan his action, do you think he had thought of the consequence of his action?
(6) The Bible says after the rape, Ammon “hated her more than he had loved her” (13:15):
a. What kind of love did he have for Tamar?
b. Was it love or lust?
(7) The more literal translation of v. 18 reads, “She (Tamar) wore a long dress with sleeves" (K&D, 636). What does this additional description in the Bible seek to highlight?
(8) Why did Absalom tell her sister to be quiet for now? What kind of a person does this reveal about him?
(9) The Hebrew Bible says King David was furious and the LXX (Greek version of the OT) adds, “He did not trouble the spirit of Ammon his son, because he loved him, for he was his first-born”:
a. What should David have done according to Leviticus 20:17?
b. What message was he sending to his children?
c. Do you think his own sin with Bathsheba had anything to do with his inaction? Why or why not?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 請參閱利未記20:17，看看暗嫩所犯何罪。
(2) 暗嫩暗戀他瑪成病，他本該怎樣處理自己的情懷？
(3) 暗嫩所行能否歸咎於約拿達？為什麼？
(4) 暗嫩向大衛求什麼？
a. 大衛應否以這請求為怪？
b. 大衛是聰明人；你以為他是否全不曉得暗嫩的慾念？
c. 他這樣順從這首生的兒子所求，可以給我們看到他是個怎樣的父親？
(5) 暗嫩當然是有充足的時間作籌劃，但為何他沒有想到這罪所帶來必然的後果？
(6) 聖經說，暗嫩在污辱了他瑪後：「他恨她的心，比先前愛她的心更甚」(13:15)
a. 他先前對他瑪的愛是怎樣的愛？
b. 是愛還是慾念而已？
(7) 第18節直譯是「那時，他瑪穿著長長、有袖子的衣裳」(K&D, 636) 。這樣的形容用意何在？
(8) 押沙龍為何叫妹妹不作聲？這給我們看到押沙龍是個怎樣的人？
(9) 希伯來聖經告訴我們，大衛聽見這事，就甚發怒(13:21) ；希臘文七十士譯本卻加上：「他沒有叫他兒子暗嫩感到不安，因他愛這首生的兒子」：
a. 大衛按摩西的律法本應怎樣行？
b. 他這樣放過暗嫩，對其他的兒女會有什麼影響？
c. 你認為這與大衛自己曾犯的罪有關嗎？為什麼？
(10) 今天你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“When David heard of all this, he was furious.” (2 Sam. 13:21)
It is true that we are all answerable to our own actions (Jeremiah 31:30), and the children’s teeth should not be set on edge simply because “The parents have eaten sour grapes” (Jer. 31:29). However, the actions and examples, especially bad ones, set by parents do have great influence on their children. David was a case in point.
He led a life that lacked discipline and control when it came to lust. It was true that he possessed many fine spiritual qualities — his humility towards King Saul, his loyal friendship with Jonathan and his steadfast dependence on the Lord — all these were indisputable. But just as indisputable was his yielding to lust, seen by all his children in the having of many wives.
The many wives and children also meant that he would not have the time to teach and discipline his children individually, let alone allowing them to know him. The bringing up of the children was likely left to the mothers, some of whom were pagans!
Of course, his sins of adultery and murder had effectively robbed him of the qualification to lead and govern his household. That was clearly demonstrated in his treatment of Ammon upon the raping of his stepsister. Sure, Leviticus 20:17 has clearly condemned such a crime and demanded death as its penalty, but who could condemn Ammon and pronounce the judgment! Not David! All Ammon had to say was, “What about you, Dad?”
Therefore, even without the punishment from God (12:11), David’s household was a tragedy in the making.
「大衛王聽見這事，就甚發怒。」(撒下13:21)
是的，我們各人要對自己所作的負責任(耶31:30) ；父親吃了酸葡萄，兒子的牙是不應酸倒的(耶31:29) 。但是父母所行、所立的榜樣—特別是壞的榜樣—實在一定對下一代有深遠的影響。大衛就是一個典型的例子。
以王的身份，他過著沒有禁戒情慾的生活。對，他擁有不少值得學效的屬靈美德—謙卑忍受掃羅的追殺、對約拿單忠實的友情、對神絕對信靠等等—這些都是不可置疑的事實。但同樣不可置疑的是他對情慾的放縱：是他的兒女在這多妻、多妾的家中目睹的事實！
多妻、多妾、多子女就使他不能有時間去指導和管教兒女了；更談不上讓兒女有機會親近、認識他們的父親。兒女的模造就全賴他們的母親，其中卻有外邦的女子呢！
當然，他所犯的姦淫和謀殺的罪行，更使他喪失了領導家庭的資格，這就在暗嫩污辱妹妹的事上顯出來。利未記20:17清楚的定了暗嫩的死罪，但誰能定他的罪呢？誰能施行這審判呢？若大衛要作的話，暗嫩會反問：「父親，你又如何？」
其實，就是沒有神所預先宣告的審判(12:11) ，大衛家庭的慘劇是免不了的！
(1) How long did Absalom wait for his revenge?
(2) When King David declined the invitation and Absalom specifically asked for Ammon to come together with the rest of the king’s sons, should it not flag David about his possible plot? Why would David give his blessing?
(3) One commentator remarks that “the postponement of revenge…is quite in the spirit of the East” (K&D, 637). Do you agree? Why or why not?
(4) Why was Jonadab so sure that only Ammon was dead? (v. 32)
(5) Since he was the one who counseled Ammon to rape Tamar (like a friend), should he not warn Ammon in advance? What kind of a person was Jonadab?
(6) Why did Absalom choose to flee to Talmai? (See 3:3)
(7) As David mourned for Ammon every day, do you think it was just the kind of mourning of a father over the death of son? Would it not be mourning mixed with guilt? Why or why not?
(8) Should he blame Absalom? Why or why not?
(9) What should he do with Absalom? What did David do (if anything)?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 押沙龍等了多久才復仇？
(2) 押沙龍明明的要求暗嫩赴宴，大衛應否答應？為何他竟給予祝福？
(3) 有解經者說：「等待復仇……是東方人的特性」(K&D, 637) 。你同意嗎？為什麼？
(4) 為何約拿達如此肯定只有暗嫩一人被殺？(13:32)
(5) 約拿達既是獻計給暗嫩污辱他瑪的，為何他不早警告暗嫩？他是個怎樣的朋友？
(6) 為何押沙龍選擇逃到達買那裡去？(參3:3)
(7) 大衛天天為兒子(即暗嫩) 悲哀(13:37) 。你認為這單是喪子的悲哀嗎？為什麼？有內疚的成份嗎？為什麼？
(8) 大衛能把責備歸咎於押沙龍嗎？為什麼？
(9) 現在，他該怎樣處理押沙龍？大衛有作什麼嗎？為什麼？
(10) 今天你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“But King David mourned for his son every day.” (2 Sam. 13:37)
After his adultery with Bathsheba, the Bible makes it clear that it was the Lord who struck this son, born out of adultery, dead. Before the death of this child, King David went through seven days of desperate, heart-wrenching time of pleading before the Lord — fasting and lying on the ground. One can imagine the amount of guilt that was weighing down on him as he prayed, feeling the full weight of his sin! However, once the child was dead, he appeared to have stopped grieving because he realized, in his own words, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Sam. 12:23).
However, it was a completely different case with the death of Ammon, his first-born, because Ammon was not so much struck by the Lord directly, but by his other son, Absalom, and it was nonetheless also a result of his sins — the sin of his own adulterous example and his inaction toward the grave sin of rape and incest by Ammon. As a father and a king, he should have dealt with Ammon according to the Law of Moses. Yes, that would mean the loss of a son, but he would have maintained and demonstrated justice not only in his household, but to his nation. As it turned out, now he had to mourn the loss of two sons — Ammon who died and Absalom who fled! His mourning was no doubt mixed with guilt — the guilt of watching and allowing his mistakes to compound!
As much as David did receive complete forgiveness from the Lord, his sins had only perpetuated the further exploitation of his weaknesses. Indeed, there are mistakes in life that we simply cannot afford to make in the first place!
「大衛天天為他兒子悲哀。」(撒下13:37)
聖經明說大衛與拔示巴在淫亂中所產的兒子，「必定要死」(12:14) 。但在孩子尚未死去之前，大衛在這七天期間，懇切的為孩子哀求神—「禁食、進入內室、終夜躺在地上」(12:16) 。我們可以想像他在禱告當中，是深深感受到自己的罪所帶來的重壓。奇怪的是，當他知道孩子死去的時候，就立刻停止禁食哭泣，因為，正按他所言：「我豈能使他返回呢？我必往他那裡去，他卻不能回我這裡來」(12:23)
但他對暗嫩的死卻有很不同的反應。他這首生的兒子雖不是被神所取去，而是被他另外一個兒子押沙龍所殺。大衛明白這是與自己所犯的罪有關的—他所犯的姦淫不但為兒女立下極壞的榜樣，也因此使他不採取行動，處理暗嫩污辱妹妹的罪！作為一國之君和一家之主，他理應按摩西的律法處理暗嫩。這當然會使他喪失了這兒子，但卻能在民中、家中除罪，維持公理。但他的失責與縱容，叫他現在實在失去了兩個兒子：暗嫩終要死亡，而押沙龍亦離家出走。他的悲哀，恐怕也是帶著罪疚的—眼看自己所種的禍根，接踵生出罪果來！
對，大衛是已經得到神完全的赦免；但種什麼，真的就收什麼。有些罪，其今生的後果是我們負不起的！
(1) What might be the motive for Joab to try to bring about the reconciliation of David and Absalom? (14:1)
(2) Since David’s heart longed for Absalom, what might be preventing him from approaching Absalom? (14:24)
(3) In her attempt to help the king see his folly, what was the crux of the story invented by the woman (as instructed by Joab)? (See vv. 5-7) What was its relevance to Absalom’s situation?
(4) In v. 9, the woman essentially was saying that if the people of her clan did not listen to the king and went ahead and killed her son, she would not blame the king. However, as King David assured her that he would definitely make sure his decree would be obeyed, she asked him to swear before the Lord and David did (v. 11):
a. Why did she charge that King David’s continuous rejection of Absalom was devised against the people of God? (v. 13)
b. How did David’s decree in favor of her son serve to convict himself?
c. To what did she also appeal to in trying to convince King David in v. 14?
(5) As much as she tried to make her case sound real again (in vv. 15-17), King David knew it was a made-up story, but how did he know that Joab had a hand in it? (v. 19)
(6) What does this say of the relationship between Joab and David?
(7) What does this say about Joab as the right-hand man of King David?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 按聖經所言，約押為何想大衛和押沙龍復和？(14:1)
(2) 大衛心中既想念兒子，是什麼叫他卻步？(14:24)
(3) 為要叫王看到自己的錯誤，這婦人的故事主要的內容是什麼(14:5-7) ？ 這與押沙龍的情況有何關連？
(4) 婦人在第9節所言，似是論到如果家人仍下手殺她的兒子，她是不會怪王的。但當大衛再次保證執行王命時，她竟要求王在神面前起誓。王既起誓(14:11) ，婦人立刻表明來意：
a. 為何她竟說王(對押沙龍所行的) 是要害神的民呢？
b. 大衛對婦人兒子的命令怎樣「自證己錯」？
c. 在第14節那婦人再用什麼說話來提醒王？
(5) 王怎會知道這事是約押在背後安排的呢？
(6) 我們藉此可以看到：
a. 約押是個怎樣的臣僕？
b. 他與大衛的關係如何？
(7) 今日你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom.” (2 Sam. 14:1)
We have read the ruthless, cold-blooded killing of Abner by Joab and that he was publicly condemned by David (3:22-29). We have also learned that Joab and his brother Abishai were so powerful that David was afraid of them (3:39). However, we now see a different side to the character of this warrior Joab.
Commentators tend to doubt Joab’s motive in his effort to reconcile David with Absalom, thinking that he might be preparing himself to maintain his power beyond the reign of David, as “Absalom had the best prospect” to be the heir to the throne (K&D, 640). And Joab had certainly continued with his ruthless character the rest of his life, but the Bible makes it clear that the motive of reconciling Absalom to David was genuine:
a. For one, he knew the heart of David in that “the king’s heart longed for Absalom” (14:1).
b. If he had any desire to betray David, he would only wish to see David’s alienated by his son.
I suspect that as he followed David all these years, he had witnessed how David treated Saul with kindness, and as much as he also saw the flaws of David, he did gain tremendous respect for David as a godly king and had grown in his genuine concern and loyalty for David. He was the one who tried to prevent David from sinning against the Lord with the counting of his troop (24:3).
This reminds me of my tendency to find fault with people I serve with. The truth of the matter is we are all flawed human beings, seriously flawed in many ways. But often, God uses other flawed brothers and sisters to point out our own mistake. And thus, as iron sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17), and as we humble ourselves to listen to one another, we can be molded into useful instruments to accomplish the business of His kingdom.
「洗魯雅的兒子約押，知道王心裡想念押沙龍。」(撒下14:1)
我們先前讀到約押怎樣冷血的殺害押尼珥，因而被大衛公開的責備與咒詛(3:22-29) 。我們也知道約押和他的兄弟亞比篩的勢力是叫大衛有所懼怕的(3:39) 。但在這段經文裡，我們看到約押的另外一面。
對，有些解經者認為約押欲使押沙龍與大衛和好是具政治動機的，是為要自己在大衛去世後鋪路—因為他看準「押沙龍是最佳的承繼人」(K&D, 640) 。按聖經繼續的記載，約押兇殘的性情還是沒有改變的。但這並不就證明他使這父子二人相和的動機是不真誠的。
聖經明說，他這樣做是因「知道王心裡想念押沙龍」(14:1) 。而且，若果他想鞏固自己的勢力，離間大衛與兒子的關係豈不是更佳！
故此，我反而相信約押是因跟隨了大衛多年，親眼目睹大衛對掃羅所施的恩慈，雖然也看到大衛種種的錯誤與輭弱，他對這合神心意的王產生了敬重，也真正關心大衛的好處。不是嗎？當大衛及後因數點人數干犯神之際，是約押力圖勸阻他的(24:3) 。
這也提醒我對別人，特別同工常有挑剔的態度。其實，我們每一個人都有眾多的輭弱與瑕疵；但神卻往往使用有瑕疵的弟兄姊妹來勸戒我們。就如「鐵磨鐵、磨出刃來」(箴27:17) ；當我們謙卑的聽從彼此的勸告，我們便會被模造成為合神使用的器皿。
(1) Joab was doing the king a favor and yet he had to thank David for listening to him. Shouldn’t David be thanking him? Why didn’t he?
(2) It was obvious that King David “longed for Absalom” (14:1) and now Absalom was back, why did David refuse to see Absalom?
a. Was it a matter of face?
- As a king
- As a father
b. Was it a matter of anger?
c. Was it real reconciliation?
(3) What was the purpose of the insertion in vv. 25-27?
a. What might Israel think of Absalom?
b. What might Absalom think of himself?
c. Why were the names of his sons not mentioned, but only his daughter?
(4) Why was Joab reluctant to see Absalom?
(5) How did Absalom feel during the years after his return to Jerusalem?
(6) What did he want from his father?
(7) How was he finally received by his father?
(8) Why didn’t David do it earlier?
(9) Do you think it was too late?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 是誰在幫助誰？為何說感謝話的竟是約押？為什麼會這樣？
(2) 大衛心中既想念押沙龍(14:1) ，而押沙龍現在回來了，為何大衛卻拒絕見他的面？
a. 是王的面子問題？
b. 是「為父的尊嚴」問題？
c. 是怒氣未過？(已過三年了—見13:38)
d. 這是真正的復和與饒恕嗎？
(3) 聖經在第25-27節所加插的片段有何用意？
a. 以色列人對押沙龍會有什麼期望？
b. 押沙龍對自己會有什麼期望？
c. 為何不記錄他兒子的名字，卻提到他女兒的名字？
(4) 為何約押不欲見押沙龍？
(5) 押沙龍回耶路撒冷足足兩年，在這期間他有什麼感受？
(6) 他心中想從父親得到的是什麼？
(7) 大衛終於接待他嗎？是否太遲？為何要等到現在？
(8) 今天你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“But the king said, ‘He must go to his own house; he must not see my face’.” (2 Sam. 14:24)
We have already considered how God had completely forgiven David of his grave and heinous sins, and God’s forgiveness was so complete that even David’s second son born of Bathsheba was loved by God and was given a name by God Himself to affirm his love not just of the son, but of the father (12:25). Indeed, David himself fully realized how complete this forgiveness was and so he wrote, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:11-12). And yet, when it came to forgiving the sin of his own son, Absalom, David had a hard time doing what God did to him.
Indeed, to forgive and especially as God does according the Psalm 103 is hard. Peter found it hard too (Matt. 18:21). But for David, I suspect apart from his love for Ammon, his first-born, there was an innate feeling of authority that an Oriental father appears to command, and to totally forgive Absalom somehow, in his opinion, undermined his authority as a father. Somehow, in the Oriental custom, for a father to give partial forgiveness is only appropriate, lest a complete forgiveness breeds contempt.
Such a mentality appears to still be prevalent among Asian fathers and I have come across quite a few cases even among Christians. The only problem is that Jesus makes it clear to all of us, including fathers: “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt. 6:15).
If our Heavenly Father has completely forgiven wayward children like us, what right do we have not to completely forgive our wayward children!
「王說：使他回自己家裡去，不要見我的面。押沙龍就回自己家裡去，沒有見王的面。」(撒下14:24)
我們先前思想到神對大衛所犯極大、極重的罪之赦免是怎樣的完全，甚至在他與拔示巴再生第二個兒子時，神親自給他命名，表明他對大衛的愛沒有更改(12:25) 。大衛誠然深深知道神赦免的完全，故此我們在他的詩篇中讀到這樣的話：「天離地何等的高，他的慈愛向敬畏他的人也是何等的大！東離西有多遠，他叫我們的過犯離我們也有多遠！」(詩103:11-12) 。可惜的是，當要饒恕自己的兒子押沙龍時，他卻不能像神饒恕他一樣的饒恕兒子。
饒恕，特別像神如詩篇103篇所言的饒恕，是不容易的。彼得也感受到這個困難(太18:21) 。但對大衛而言，這困難不但與他特別溺愛那首生的暗嫩有關，也許亦與我們東方人的「為父的尊嚴」有關。在大衛身為父親的意識中，若完全無條件的饒恕押沙龍，是會影響這為父的權威的。按東方習俗的看法，為父若稍作饒恕的動作，兒女應感到萬幸。完全的饒恕豈不是會帶來兒女的放縱！
這種觀念現仍存在在東方的社會，我亦遇到這樣的基督徒父親。但主耶穌已清楚警告我們：「你們不饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯」(太6:15) 。這裡的「人」，當然包括我們的兒女！
天父既然完全的饒恕了我們這樣的浪子，我們又何來有藉口可以不饒恕自己家中的浪子呢！
(1) Do you think Absalom’s intention was to position himself to succeed David or to overthrow his father?
(2) Had David been quick to forgive and embrace him back as his son, would this have happened? Why or why not?
(3) Do you think what Absalom did in vv. 1-6 could totally evade the knowledge of David?
a. If for four years, David knew nothing about what he did, what does it say about David as a king?
b. If David knew about it and did nothing about it, what does it say about David as a father and a king?
(4) How can one explain the success of Absalom in apparently having support “throughout the tribes of Israel” and why would these people support him against David?
a. Were they dissatisfied with David?
b. Did they consider Absalom a much better king? If so, why?
(5) As much as “the hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom” (15:13), did David have to flee?
a. Why could he not fight against Absalom from the citadels of Jerusalem?
b. Did he enquire of the Lord?
c. Had God relinquished His choice of David as king over Israel? (See 7:15)
(6) In your opinion, how did David look upon the rebellion of his son? What kind of struggle might he be going through?
(7) Why does the Bible make mention of the decision of the Gittites to follow David? What did this mean to David at a time like this?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 你認為押沙龍這樣做是要部署自己承繼大衛，還是想篡位？
(2) 如果大衛一早就寬恕、接納押沙龍，你以為這事件還會發生嗎？為什麼？
(3) 你認為押沙龍在第1-6節所行的，真的會完全瞞騙大衛嗎？
a. 如果這四年之久(四十年的繙譯是不通的)，大衛是毫不知情，他是怎樣的一個王呢？
b. 如果他是知曉的，他是怎樣的一個父親呢？
(4) 怎麼會「以色列人的心都歸向押沙龍」(15:13) ？為何百姓會離棄大衛？
a. 他們對大衛不滿嗎？
b. 他們認為押沙龍比大衛勝一籌嗎？
c. 還是有其他原因？
(5) 雖然如此，大衛是否需要逃亡？
a. 為何不可以在這堅固的京城與押沙龍對抗？
b. 他有否求問神？
c. 神是否離棄他像離棄掃羅那樣呢？(見7:15)
(6) 你認為大衛怎樣看兒子的叛亂？他內心現在有什麼掙扎？
(7) 為何聖經特別提到迦特人決定跟從大衛這片段？對此時此地的大衛有多大重要？
(8) 今日你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“Come we must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom.” (2 Sam. 15:14)
One might consider David weak in his dealing with the rebellion of Absalom, but it actually demonstrates the part of David’s character that was rare as a king and a warrior: He was determined not to fight to cling to his power by his own strength and wisdom. This was not something new; David fully demonstrated his total dependence on God in assuming his reign even during the time of Saul. If he would not lay his hand on Saul, how much less on his son, Absalom!
I suspect that he also knew that Absalom’s rebellion was not an accident, it was part of the judgment of God pronounced by Nathan: “Out of your own household, I am going to bring calamity upon you” (12:11). Although he had no idea that by leaving his ten concubines behind, he helped to fulfill the other part of the judgment — “Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. You did in secret but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel" (12:11-12). This was fulfilled by Absalom lying “with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel” (16:22).
One has to pity David as he silently received his judgment from the hand of God in obedience, without complaint and without fighting against it. To me, that is a mark of a man after God’s own heart!
「大衛就對耶路撒冷跟隨他的臣僕說：我們要起來逃走，不然都不能躲避押沙龍了。」(撒下15:14)
讀到大衛怎樣處理押沙龍的叛變時，我們不免覺得他實在太過懦弱了。但其實，這正顯出這身為勇士的王可貴的一面。
大衛不是現在才決定不靠自己的力量與智慧來維護自己的王位的。早在被掃羅追殺時，他已立心完全的倚靠神來得王位。若然他是這樣決心的不加害掃羅的話，他就更不會傷害自己的兒子押沙龍了。
我相信，大衛更知押沙龍的叛變不是偶然的；是神藉拿單先知所宣報的審判之一部份：「耶和華如此說：我必從你家中興起禍患攻擊你」 (12:11) 。當然，他是想不到把十個妃嬪留守宮殿的安排，竟然招致這審判另一部份的實現：「我必在你眼前把你的妃嬪賜給別人，他在日光之下就與他們同寢。你在暗中行這事，我卻要在以色列眾人面前，日光之下，報應你。」(12:11-12) 。
雖然大衛所受的是當得的管教，但他默然接受，沒有靠自己的力量作出頑抗，也是他「合神心意」的生命之徵記。
(1) It appears the whole procession did not resemble the normal fleeing from a war, but a funeral procession:
a. Why did the “whole countryside” weep aloud?
b. Why did David continue up the Mount of Olives weeping?
c. Why did “All the people with him” cover their heads and weep too?
(2) It was even more unusual that the “fleeing” was accompanied by the offering of sacrifices by the priest, Abiathar. What did such an offering represent?
(3) From the words spoken by David to Zadok in vv. 25-26:
a. How did David look upon Absalom’s rebellion?
b. What does the decision of leaving the Ark behind in Jerusalem say about David? (Contrast his decision with that of the elders in 1 Sam. 4:3.)
(4) Upon learning that his trusted adviser Ahithophel had betrayed him, what did David do? Do you think God would answer his prayer? (Some commentators think that Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba.)
(5) Hushai appeared to be an old man who would be “a burden” to David had he followed. What role did David ask him to play? How effective was he? (See 17:14)
(6) As much as Absalom appeared to have “the hearts of the men of Israel”, David had many friends who were loyal to him — the priests were behind him, the ark of the covenant was with him, and he still had a sizeable army (see chapter 18). Do you think his decision to flee was (a) prudent, (b) fair to the nation, or (c) pleasing to the Lord? Why or why not?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 這裡描寫的行列，像是出喪多過逃亡：
a. 為何本地人(whole countryside/NIV) 都放聲大哭？
b. 為何大衛自己在上橄欖山時也是邊行邊哭？
c. 為何其他隨從他的人也是這樣？
(2) 為何祭司們是抬著約櫃逃離？這豈是不便嗎？
(3) 從大衛對祭司的一番話(15:25-26) :
a. 大衛怎樣處理這次押沙龍的叛亂？
b. 他要約櫃留在耶路撒冷給我們看到大衛對神的心是怎樣的？(試與撒上4:3作比較)
(4) 當大衛聽到自己的謀士亞希多弗也在叛黨之中，他作出什麼反應？是否出於無奈？(有解經者認為亞希多弗是拔示巴的祖父)
(5) 戶篩相信是年紀老邁，故此大衛說他會成為負累。但大衛給他什麼重要任務？結果怎樣？(見17:14)
(6) 雖然押沙龍得以色列人的心，但大衛仍有眾多忠誠的朋友，有效忠他的祭司，有約櫃在城中，更其實有相當的軍力(見第18章) 。他這樣不戰而逃，你說是(a) 不智嗎？(b) 對國家公平嗎？(c) 討神喜悅嗎？為什麼？
(7) 今日你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by.” (2 Sam. 15:23)
I was deeply touched by the loyalty shown to David as he fled Jerusalem because of the rebellion of his son, Absalom.
The Bible appears to mention the loyalty of the Gittites at this very sorrowful time of David. These Gittites were most likely Philistines who followed David from the city of Gath, or at least residents of Gath. If they were Philistines, it was even more special in that they now swore allegiance in the name of the Lord. Their loyalty was for both the Lord and David.
Then there was the loyalty of Hushai who was an old friend of David (15:37) and a trusted adviser too. His willingness to risk his life by staying in Jerusalem eventually led to the defeat of Absalom. The old adage is true, “A man in need is a friend indeed”.
However, I was even moved more deeply by the weeping of all the people in the countryside (of Jerusalem) and the weeping of the men who followed David to the Mount of Olives. While we might dissect the matter on whether or not the fleeing of David was a sign of weakness, the right course of action and whether it was fair to the nation, we found that no one, not a soul gave advice to David. All they did was to weep with him! How precious it was!
David knew deep in his heart, whatever happened was the judgment from the hand of God; he really needed no advice from anyone. All he needed was empathy from those who loved him and that he got from not only those who fled with him, but also those who stayed behind.
There are times too in our lives that we do not necessarily have to give advice to our brothers and sisters in grief, all we need to do is to “mourn with those who mourn” (Rom. 12:15).
「本地的人都放聲大哭。」(撒下15:23)
讀到大衛因押沙龍的叛變而要逃離時，我深被眾多的人向他所表明的效忠所感動。
正當大衛在經歷這傷痛時，聖經告訴我們投奔他的迦特人向他表明他們的效忠。這些迦特人相信是非利士人，是當大衛離開迦特時，跟隨著他的。現在，他們不但向大衛發誓，更是以耶和華的名發誓的。
我們也讀到大衛的老朋友戶篩(15:37) ，相信也是他的謀士，雖然年紀老邁(故大衛說他跟著他走會成累贅) ，也願意冒生命危險，留在耶路撒冷作「內奸」；結果成功的使押沙龍失利(17:14) 。古語說得對：「患難見真情」。
但最叫我甚感動的，是那地方(即耶路撒冷周圍的城邑) 的人「都放聲大哭」(15:23) ；跟隨大衛上橄欖山的，「也都蒙頭哭著上去」(15:30) 。這些都是他們真情的流露、是對大衛的愛的流露。當我們在分析大衛在這情景所作是否合宜、是否明智、是否是懦弱的表現時，我們卻看不到有任何人在那時作出異議；只有的是陪伴他一起的哭泣！阿，這是何等的寶貴！
大衛心中是知道自己在經歷神的管教，不用旁人給他什麼提醒。在這時刻，他最需要的是那些愛他的人，與他的感受認同—不論是留下的、是跟隨他逃離的、藉著他們的同哭，都給他極大的安慰。
是的，當我們身旁的人在經歷極大的苦痛時，他們往往最需要的，不是我們的提醒，乃是如保羅所吩咐的：「與哀哭的人要同哭」(羅12:15) 。