One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Monday, May 23rd
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Click Here to Read 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39
War between Israel and Judah
The feud between those loyal to Saul did not end with David, even though he was made king. In particular his commander Abner refused to let go of his anger toward David. We know Joab was David's best commander. They were both fierce fighters loyal to their kings. This set up a showdown between the best 12 men of each person's army. It was a grisly battle and all 24 men died. Seems pretty pointless doesn't it. But as we will see, it didn't end there.
The Death of Asahel
Asahel was Joab's brother and apparently very fast. He ran like a deer. In his zeal, he chased Abner down. But Abner was a formidable foe and ended Asahel's life violently. To Abner's credit he did tell Asahel he did not want to fight him because he wouldn't know what he would say to Joab if he killed him. But Asahel refused to turn back.
Joab and his men chased Abner down seemingly looking to take revenge. But when Abner addressed Joab and his men and asked for the fighting to stop, Joab blew the ram's horn and called off the attack. In the end, only 20 of David's men died, but 360 of the men loyal to Saul died.
Chapter 3 begins by saying this was the beginning of a long war between the people loyal to David with the people loyal to Saul. But the end result was that David's dynasty was getting stronger and stronger, and Saul's was getting weaker and weaker.
Though you have to credit Saul's men with their loyalty, they obviously did not recognize David was God's anointed King. They would not win this war because the Lord was on David's side.
David’s Sons Born in Hebron
David had six different sons born to him in Hebron with six different wives. This brings up the obvious question of what is right for David to have multiple wives (i.e. polygamy)?
"This shows that David went against God’s commandment that Israel’s king should not multiply wives to himself. David was wrong to have more than one wife. His many wives went against God’s command to kings (Deuteronomy 17:17) and against God’s heart for marriage (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). David’s many wives were common. Adding many wives was one way great men and especially kings expressed their power and status. David was troubled because of his many wives. Some wonder why the Bible doesn’t expressly condemn David’s polygamy here, but as is often the case, the Scripture simply states the fact and later records how David reaped the penalty for this sort of sin in regard to his family." - Guzik
This issue will only get worse with David's son, Solomon.
Abner Joins Forces with David
Abner then got into a fight with Saul's son over a concubine he was sleeping with, who was originally his father's concubine. Abner was very bitter after all he had done to protect Saul, so he decided to join forces with David. In effect by Abner surrending his territory and men to David. In effect, he was consolidating all of Israel from both the north and the south (Judah) into one. David was amenable to this and welcomed Abner to a feast in Hebron. David's only request was that he get back Michal, his wife, who was Saul's daughter. Saul had taken her away to spite David in 1 Samuel 25. Abner showed a lot of wisdom and leadership in doing all of this. He even quoted the Lord, who said He had chosen David to deliver the Israelites from the hand of the Philistine.
Joab Murders Abner
Meanwhile Joab has not given up his vengeance toward Abner. Joab secretly left Hebron and convinced Abner to come back to see David. When he got to Hebron, Joab got in an alley and killed him. David mourned for Abner to show the people that he was not involved in this murder, and cursed Joab's descendants for his heinous act. Yet, David did not do anything to punish Joab, which is curious. Perhaps he did not want to give up his general.
David Mourns Abner’s Death
David's respectful burial of Abner, and his sincere mourning of his death showed the people that he was not at fault for Abner's assassination.
David did not want his kingdom established by violence. He wanted God to establish his kingdom and to punish his enemies. David still believed that vengeance belongs to the Lord. This whole affair was a mess, but it would not be the first or the last mess of David’s kingdom. - Guzik
Click Here to Read John 13:1-30
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
There is no story about Jesus that more clearly shows his humility, and his heart of a servant than this scene at the Last Supper with his disciples. It was his last time with the disciples as a group, and he wanted to leave them with an image that would mark their ministry and mission in His name going forward.
At dinner Jesus got up and took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, poured water into a basin, and started washing the disciples' feet one by one. Remember these were dirty, dusty, feet having traveled all day on dirt roads covered only by sandals. This was usually the job of a servant, so Peter is quite alarmed that Jesus is taking on this role. Not exactly what he had in mind as a task for a king.
But Jesus rebuked Peter and let him know that this is the type of leadership he would need to exhibit if he was going to be the apostle God had called him to be. Jesus concluded by saying that though they called him "teacher" and "lord", which they were correct in doing, they were also to wash one another's feet, as he had just done. If it was not below Jesus to do it as their master, it certainly would not beneath them either.
Though I think Jesus is speaking metaphorically here, his main lesson is that his followers are to serve others and not lord it over them. In another passage in Mark 10 he says, "The greatest among you is a servant, for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.
The great hallmark of the Christian and the Church should be serving others in Jesus' name not matter what the cost. If service is not a central part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus, we have lost the sense of what Jesus called his disciples to do and be.
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
Finally, Jesus had hinted at dinner that not everyone at the table was clean. Jesus announced that one among them would betray him. The thought of this deeply saddened Jesus. Betrayal by a friend is one of the hardest things as a human to experience.
Jesus was not unfeeling or emotionally detached from the events surrounding His passion. He loved Judas, and was troubled for Judas’ sake, much more than His own. - Guzik
Then Jesus revealed to the disciples who was his betrayer by dipping his bread into the bowl and handing it to Judas. Jesus told Judas to go at once and do what he was going to do quickly. The other disciples were perplexed and not exactly sure what was happening. When Judas left it was night, and he had crossed over to the dark side. But this was all part of God's sovereign plan.
Jesus knew Judas was now past any appeal to conscience or heart. Set on his course, it was best to get it done with. Judas believed that he was the master now; that Jesus would have to deal with what Judas did. The sooner this delusion reached its end, the better.
Click Here to Read Psalm 119:1-16
This psalm was an acrostic, in which each section started with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. I.e. Aleph, Beth,...
It was most likely a learning tool to help people memorize the psalm.
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