This week we
will continue the study of the Book of 2 Samuel in the Old Testament.
As David was fleeing from Absalom, we read that the people of Israel had to make a choice, whether to continue their loyalty to David, or seize this opportunity to support the seemingly more powerful rebel in Absalom, the king’s son:
(1) Can you recall who Ziba was and what he was commissioned to do by David? (9:9-11)
(2) As Saul’s former servant who now saw how the only survivor in Saul’s family was being treated, how should he take his commissioning by David?
(3) Take a good look at the things he brought for David and his men:
a. Did he just think of something to bring to David or was it very well thought out?
b. If you were David, during a time like this, how would you feel?
c. However, what do you think was Ziba’s motive?
(4) Why did David ask where his master was?
(5) Why did David react so emotionally and ordered all that belonged to Mephibosheth would go to Ziba?
(6) Was it a right decision? What should David have done?
(7) Who was Shimei?
(8) In your opinion, why would he seize such a chance to curse David?
a. What could his curse accomplish?
b. Why was he not afraid of being killed by David’s special guard?
(9) Why did David assume that Shimei was sent by the Lord to curse him?
(10) As much as he thought he deserved to be cursed (not because the charges by Shimei were correct, but because of his sins against Uriah), why did he still think that something good could come from the curse?
(11) What kind of a message was David sending to his men?
(12) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“Leave him alone, let him curse…It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.” (2 Sam. 16:11-12)
As David fled from his son, Absalom, it was quite obvious that he saw the rebellion of his son as part of the judgment by God of his sins against Uriah — having committed adultery with his wife and murdering him in order to cover his guilt. This is clearly revealed in the words he used to stop his people from harming Shimei who was cursing him as he was leaving the area surrounding Jerusalem: “leave him alone, let him curse, for the Lord has told him” (16:11). In other words, David not only took the rebellion of Absalom as from the hand of God, but also all the misfortunes that befell him at the time, including being cursed by a nobody like Shimei.
However, while he silently submitted to the chastisement of the Lord, he also had hope even in the midst of his suffering that “may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.” One wonders why he would have such hope. Keil and Delitszch shared their great insight on the matter with these words:
“But this conscience of guilt also excited the assurance that the Lord would look upon his sin. When God looks upon the guilt of a humble sinner, He will also, as a just and merciful God, avert the evil, and change the suffering into a blessings. David found upon this the hope, that the Lord would repay him with good for the curse with which Shimei was pursuing him now” (K&D, 653).
Indeed, as much as he believed that his present plight was a result of his sin, he also firmly believed in Nathan’s message that, “The Lord has taken away your sin” (12:13).
(1) We have just read that Ziba used this crisis to benefit himself through betraying his master, and Shimei used it to vent his own biased tribal frustration (turning a blind eye to the will of God). What did Hushsai do at this critical time of Israel’s history?
(2) What might have convinced Absalom of his loyalty to him?
(3) Ahithophel, a former trusted adviser to David, appeared to be the chief adviser to Absalom (16:23). What advice did he give to Absalom?
(4) Why did he give such wicked advice?
(5) Did he really have to give such advice?
(6) Why would Absalom listen to such horrible advice?
(7) With this advice, would there be any chance of reconciliation with his father, David? Why or why not?
(8) How did this wicked action fulfill the punishment announced by God? (12:11-12)
(9) Was this punishment too harsh, given the sin committed by David? Why or why not?
(10) What might be the warning to us?
(11) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“Lie with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace…” (2 Sam. 16:21)
When David committed his horrible crime of adultery and murder, everyone in Israel had to be greatly alarmed by the wickedness of their beloved king, perhaps with disbelief. Therefore when the Lord announced His punishment through Nathan to David that “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 it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel” (12:11-12), all would have considered that it was a just punishment. However, when we read that this would be fulfilled by David’s own son, we cannot help but feel the horror of such a crime of incest! Ahithophel must have hated David to his guts to give such a wicked advice to Absalom, and Absalom must have lost all his decency to have committed such a sin to his father.
However, this serves to remind all of us that there is no such a thing as a sin committed in secret. Chuck Swindoll is right in saying that what we think is “a secret affair on earth is an open scandal in heaven”, but he is only stating what our Lord Jesus has already made plain: “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open” (Lk. 8:17). David would be the first one to tell us that it is certainly the case!
(1) What was the essence of the plan recommended by Ahithophel in vv. 1-4?
(2) What might be the thing that “seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel”?
(3) Why did Absalom hate his father to the point of wanting to kill him (was his exile not good enough for him)?
(4) Since Absalom trusted Ahithophel so much, why would he seek to get a second opinion? Did he not know that it might make Ahithophel look bad?
(5) What was the essence of Hushai’s advice?
(6) On a practical level, whose plan makes more sense to you? Why?
(7) What was the decision of Absalom and his men?
(8) What does the Bible say was the reason for their decision?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
“For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.” (2 Sam. 17:14)
It is true that Absalom was a product of David’s own making: the marrying of many wives; the blatant favoritism toward Ammon, the first-born; the total disregard of the shame and humiliation suffered by his own daughter; not to mention his horrible example of adultery and murder. One might even be fair in saying that Absalom’s killing of Ammon was the dispensation of justice that David should have done in the first place, except that it was murder and not justice administered according to the Law of Moses through proper process of public trial and execution.
Now, he had listened to the advice of Ahithophel to sleep with his father’s concubines, an action that was not only abhorred by God, but an action that put reconciliation between him and his father impossible.
Ahithophel was obviously a very shrewd and intelligent man, no wonder both “David and Absalom regarded all of his advice" “like that of one who enquires of God” (16:23). His plan to attack David and his men when they were still weary and weak made a lot of sense, but somehow Absalom chose to seek and listen to the advice of Hushai instead. The Bible makes it very clear the reason behind Absalom’s decision and that was, “For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom” (17:14).
Indeed, irrespective of how wicked a ruler might be, God is still in complete control because, “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please him” (Prov. 21:1).
(1) Since Absalom had already agreed to his advice, why did Hushai still need to tell David of Ahithophel’s plan and advised David not to stay where he was, but to cross over Jordan?
(2) The sons of the priests, Jonathan and Ahimaaz (15:27), were ready to relay the message to King David, but what risks did they have to take?
(3) How did the Lord protect them?
(4) While we have read in 17:14 that God was obviously in control of the situation, what did the ensuing twists and turns concerning the sending of the message by Jonathan and Ahimaaz teach us? (vv. 17-20)
(5) What did the crossing of Jordan by David and all his men do to the advice given by Ahithophel?
(6) What might be the possible reasons for Ahithophel’s suicide?
a. He was angry or disappointed with Absalom.
b. He felt a complete loss of face before all Israel.
c. He recognized that it was the doing of the Lord.
d. Other
(7) What does it say about this person who “put his house in order” before he committed suicide?
(8) Read David’s prayer in 15:31. What can you learn from this incident concerning Ahithophel?
(9) Compare the action by Makir (9:4) and that of Ziba (16:1-4):
a. What were common to the two of them?
b. How different were they?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
Absalom replaced Joab with Amasa as the commander of Israel’s army. Vv. 24-26 describes Jether as having married Abigail, the sister of Zeruiah, instead of saying that she was the sister of David—“some of the early commentators have very justly concluded that Abagail [sic] and Zeruiah were only step-sisters of David” and Jether “was therefore an illegitimate cousin of Joab” (K&D, 658).
“When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself.” (2 Sam. 17:23)
When Absalom rebelled against his father David, many people seized the opportunity to reap benefits for themselves through this crisis. Ziba was one example, and Ahithophel was another. But the betrayal of Ahithophel was even more wicked, because he was “paying back evil for good” (Prov. 17:13).
The Bible says that in those days, “the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice” (16:23). In other words, instead of going to the priest to inquire of the Lord through Urim and Thummim, David thought so highly of Ahithophel’s advice that he took it as from the Lord. Apart from being a very wise man, Ahithophel must also have a very pious appearance too — that was until he showed his true colors when David was in trouble. He jumped ship at the first possible moment. That was why David who could even take the curse of Shimei, was so surprised and hurt to the point that he uttered this prayer: “O Lord, turn Ahithophel counsel into foolishness” (15:31).
As it turned out, the Lord did more than that; He not only frustrated the advice of Ahithophel, but He also sent him to death by suicide (17:23).
I suspect that neither David nor Absalom had ever doubted his advice and so for Absalom to publicly seek another opinion from Hushai whom he must have considered his rival must have frustrated him. He knew that Hushai was actually acting as David’s spy except that he had no proof. His frustration coupled with the public humiliation caused him to pack up and go home. However, I also suspect that deep in his heart he knew the hand of God was behind it and was against him for the evil he had repaid the goodness of his former master, David. The comment that “He put his house in order” before he committed suicide was quite unusual in that his suicide was not an emotional act but one that was thought through carefully to the point that he took the time to put his house in order, likely meaning the writing and explaining of his will before he took his life.
Spurgeon remarks that, “To put his house in order showed that he was a prudent man; to hang himself proved that he was a fool” (Spurgeon’s Sermon XI, 497). Perhaps, this fool finally came to realization that “Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good” (Prov. 17:13).
(1) It appears that with the rebellion of Absalom who took many of David’s men from his army, David had to regroup with the people that were left, mainly from his own tribe of Judah. As a result he needed to appoint new commanders. Who among the three chief commanders was really new? Why was he chosen? (15:19-22)
(2) Why did David not join the march into the battle? What does it tell us about these people who had chosen to stick with David? What did David do right to earn such loyalty from his people?
(3) What special command did David give to his three chief commanders? Was it even right for David to give such a command? Why or why not?
(4) What was the result of the ensuing battle? Was it a surprise? Why or why not?
(5) How tragic was this battle?
(6) What was Absalom known for in all Israel? (14:25-26)
(7) Now, what contributed directly to his demise? (v. 9)
(8) What lesson can we learn from his demise?
(9) Why did the man who saw Absalom stuck with his hair on an oak tree choose not to kill him?
(10) What did Joab do instead?
(11) Was Joab right in what he did? Why or why not?
(12) What do you think about the erecting of a pillar by Absalom for his own remembrance? (v. 18)
(13) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“During his lifetime, Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself…it is called Absalom Monument to this day.” (2 Sam. 18:18)
Absalom was born into a king’s family. Being perhaps the most handsome of all the sons of David, with a body admired by body builders and hair that was the admiration of all men and women in Israel (14:25-26). He really thought he was meant to succeed David as the king of Israel.
Perhaps the birth of Solomon and the fact that God was the one who personally gave him the name of Jedidiah (loved by the Lord) made him realize that he was not chosen by God to succeed his father.
Instead of submitting to the will of God, Absalom seized the opportunity of his father’s mistake in not punishing Ammon for his incest against his own sister to justify his ultimate rebellion against his father. Deep in his heart, he had to know that God was not on his side and he would definitely not succeed with his plan. So, even before his death, he wanted to make sure that however short his reign might be, he would be remembered forever, so he erected a monument to himself and called it Absalom’s Monument (18:18).
The interesting thing is that the Bible says he did this because he thought, “I have no son to carry on the memory of my name” (18:18). However, he did have three sons (14:27) whose names were never mentioned in the Bible. I suspect that it really was not a case of not having any sons to carry on his name, but that he knew he and none of his sons would succeed to the throne of David. Being a king for a short time did not satisfy the ego of this man; he thought he could perpetuate his name as a king forever by the erection of this monument. Matthew Henry was right, “The pillar shall bear his name, but not to his credit; it was designed for Absalom’s glory, but proved Absalom’s folly” (Matthew Henry’s Commentary, 468).
All human endeavors to make a name for oneself will only end up being remembered for their folly!
(2) Why did Joab try to stop him and send another man, a Cushite, to be the messenger of what Ahimaaz thought was the good news?
(3) Twice, David thought the message brought back was good news. What might constitute good news to David?
(4) Ahimaaz indeed brought the good news of the defeat of the king’s enemies, and yet what was the king’s concern? Why? Can you identify with the heart of David at the time?
(5) How did Ahimaaz take advantage of his outrunning the Cushite in his answer to the king’s question? (v. 29)
(6) Now the Cushite became the bearer of the bad news:
a. Why was David so shaken by the death of Absalom who pursued him, tried to kill him and committed incest with his wives?
b. Was his wish to capture Absalom alive wishful thinking? Why or why not?
c. Did he rather lose the battle?
d. What did his deep mourning reveal about him and his inner turmoil?
e. What kind of a message was David sending to his people with his deep mourning while the people were joyous over the victory?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“Now Ahimaaz, son of Zadok said, ‘Let me run and take the news to the king that the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies'.” (2 Sam. 18:19)
I really think that David was a very blessed leader. As much as he had committed a most horrific crime which drove him into a family feud that tormented him to no end, he was surrounded by people who loved him.
As ruthless as Joab was, he was not only loyal to him, he loved him. The killing of Absalom was really for the good of his reign, and for the unity of Israel, not to mention that Absalom should have been judged most severely too for his sin of incest under the law of Moses (Lev. 20:11).
Even this young man, Ahimaaz, son of Zadok the priest, risked his life in sending the important message of possible attack by Absalom to King David (17:17ff). And now, with the death of Absalom, he volunteered to bring the news to him. From what he subsequently told the king, I think Joab had misread him.
Joab knew how David would react to the news of son’s death, and so he would rather send a foreign slave, the Cushite to bear the news, just in case David might blame the messenger and kill him as he did to the bearers of the news of Saul’s and Ish-Bosheth’s death (1:15; 4:12). In fact, Ahimaaz knew that his decision to stay in Jerusalem as instructed by David, risking his life to bring him the message as a spy, should have earned the trust and affection of David so that he might not be blamed. As it happened Joab chose to use the Cushite, but Ahimaaz decided to outrun him so that he could prepare the heart of the king to receive the “bad news” and spare the life of the Cushite.
How blessed David was, surrounded by people who genuinely loved and cared about him!
(1) How did the soldiers enter a city after their victory normally?
(2) How did the soldiers of David enter the city after their victory over Absalom and his men? Why?
(3) Was it right for David to turn the victory parade into something like a funeral procession? Why or why not?
(4) According to Joab, how had David’s mourning harmed himself and his nation?
(5) Now with the death of Absalom, what did the people of Israel want to do?
(6) What can you say about such a people who could change their loyalty so quickly? Would you want to be their king?
(7) Why did David want the people of Judah to receive him back first?
(8) How did he “use” Amasa (17:25) in this process? Did it work?
(9) Apart from the people of Judah, the Bible highlights others who also “rushed” to welcome the king back into Jerusalem. Who were they?
(10) Would you have forgiven Shimei like David did? Why or why not?
(11) Do you think this reflects David’s weakness or virtue? Why?
(12) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“They rushed to the Jordan where the king was.” (2 Sam. 19:17)
If I were David, I really would not want to rule over a people that changed their allegiance like clothes. One minute, the people of Israel were rallying behind the rebel son and joined in to pursue David with the intent of killing him; the next minute, once Absalom was dead, they had the audacity to forget what they had just done to David and sought to welcome him back as king. Shimei epitomized such kind of audacious and shameless behavior.
He must have thought that David would be defeated by Absalom and would be gone for good as he fled Jerusalem. As a result, he hurled insults and curses at David, charging him with sins that David had not really committed (16:7-8). He did this because he lamented that the nation was ruled by a king from the tribe of Judah and not from his own tribe of Benjamin.
Now David’s fortune had changed and Shimei was quick to save his bacon, being the first to receive David back and making a public confession of his sin (19:18-20).
Abishai was obviously furious. He had wanted to kill Shimei when they were fleeing already (16:9), and now he asked the king’s permission to put him to his rightful death. However, David not only rejected his request, but also appeared to be chastising him.
The question is, “Did David believe Shimei’s confession as genuine and did he forgive Shimei?”.
We should not think that David was a fool. He saw through the flip-flop of Shimei and knew that his confession was far from being sincere. What he said that day was, “Should anyone be put to death in Israel today?” (19:22). If Shimei’s curses and insincere confession were directed not at him, he might have acted differently. As it was, David demonstrated that he was big enough to take personal insults. However, he knew people like Shimei could be harmful to the kingdom of his son; as a result, he left these last words to Solomon:
“And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’ But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood” (1 Ki. 2:8-9).
Some may say that “the favor shown him [Shimei] here was a sign of David’s weakness” (K&D, 668), but I for one admire David as he was able to make a distinction between personal insult (which he took lightly) and potential harm to others (which he took seriously).