One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Sunday, May 29th
Click Here to Listen to the Readings
Click Here to Read 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22
Joab Arranges for Absalom’s Return
As we know from yesterday, Absalom had fled his home city after killing his half brother, Ammon. He had been there three years and presumably wanted to come and see his father, David. So Joab devised a plan to try and get David to summon his son back home. He knew a woman from Tekoa who was known for her wisdom. When he sent her to the king, she was to say she was in deep mourning from losing her husband and had also lost her son who got in a fight with his brother, and his brother killed him. Now she was in danger of losing her second son, as the family demanded retribution for him for killing his only brother. As the story went, the woman no had no one to carry on the family name if her second son was killed. David had compassion on her and agreed to protect her remaining son.
Then, she smoothly transitioned into the thing she was really after. She asked David if he was so compassionate toward her son, how come he had not invited his own son to come home?
I love her words here,
"All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him." Verse 14
Now David is onto her. He knows this is the work of Joab, who he knows is sympathetic to Absalom. The woman cannot lie in the presence of king, so she admits Joab put her up to it. So David summoned Joab. I would have thought David would have been angry with Joab for trying to deceive him, but instead he sends him out to bring Absalom back to him. David only put one stipulation on it, Absalom could come back to Jerusalem, but he could not come to the king's house.
Absalom Reconciled to David
Absalom was described as the most handsome man from head to toe, with flowing hair that he only cut once a year. His daughter was also beautiful, and her name was Tamar. Sound familiar? Same name as his sister, who was raped by Ammon, whom he killed.
"Absalom was a man of deep and sympathetic feeling. He memorialized his wronged sister Tamar by naming a daughter after her." - Guzik
Absalom did not get to see the king for 2 years and was growing impatient. He summoned Joab twice and Joab did not come to him. Now we see the dark side of Absalom, as he burns Joab's barley field. Joab consents to Absalom and asks the king to see Absalom. David invites him to his palace. When Absalom bowed to the king, David kissed him.
Absalom’s Rebellion
We learn now that Absalom's kiss of his father, was like the kiss of Judas to Jesus. Absalom feigned that he needed to go the Hebron to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. But while he was there, he recruited Israelites to become sympathetic to his cause, since the King didn't have time to judge their cases.
If someone believed that a local court did not give them justice, they then appealed to the court of the king, where the king or a representative of the king heard their case. - Guzik
David conned 200 men from Jerusalem to come and also talked one of David's counselor's, Ahitophel, to come over to his side. Soon the uprising Absalom ignited and stated gaining momentum.
Once some started coming to Absalom’s side, it encouraged more and more to come. Momentum for division builds because others are doing it. - Guzik
David Escapes from Jerusalem
David is now officially "on the run". He realizes the tide has turned and takes 600 men, his bodyguards, and flees to Gath. Meanwhile we meet a man named Ittai, who was a leader of the men in Gath. He was not an Israelite.
It was on this occasion that David wrote Psalm 3. Here is an excerpt from it. It helps to know the context of when and why he wrote this.
LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. (Psalm 3:1-6)
Finally, we see the loyalty of Ittai, a foreigner in exile, who is a startling contrast to his own son Absalom, who is a traitor.
But Ittai said to the king, “I vow by the Lord and by your own life that I will go wherever my lord the king goes, no matter what happens—whether it means life or death.” 15:21
Here is what one commentator says about Ittai's loyalty.
Ittai was loyal to David when it looked certain that it would cost him something. True loyalty isn’t demonstrated until it is likely to cost something to be loyal.
Having a loyal friend may be more important than a family member you cannot trust. Sometimes our friends come from unusual places. I believe God is the one who gives us the friends we need in good times and bad. Good friends stay with you even in bad times!
Click Here to Read John 18:1-24
Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested
Speaking of betrayers, Judas finally finishes his dirty deed. He had tipped off the Roman soldiers where Jesus would be, which was one of his favorite places. Though John's version does not identify it as the Garden of Gethsamene, other gospels do. We know he had gone there often, especially because it was the place Judas gave the Roman soldiers to come and get him.
Jesus knew this was going to happen, so he is not surprised when they show up. When they ask him if he is Jesus of Nazareth, replies, "I am He". With this they fall back to the ground at the mere mention of His name. Why? Jesus is using the Greek equivalent of the Divine name "Yahweh". In this brief moment the power and holiness of God shone through Jesus and it literally knocked the soldiers off their feet.
There was such a display of divine presence, majesty, and power in those two words that the enemies of Jesus were powerless to stand against Him. - Guzik
“Here our Saviour let out a little beam of the majesty of his Deity, and 500 men fell before him.” (Trapp)
Peter decided to take things into his own hand and cut off the ear of the high priest's slave with his sword. He must have been a pretty accurate swordsman. But Jesus is not there to fight but to submit to his Father's will. The cup of suffering he knew he must drink.
Peter’s First Denial
Because John knew the high priest, he was allowed inside the courtyard where Jesus was being held. Soon thereafter he let Peter in. When a woman recognized Peter and identified him as one of the disciples he said, "No I am not". Where was brash Peter now? Instead Peter mingles in the crowd and warms up his hands so as not to be noticed.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
The high priest begins by asking Jesus what he has been teaching his disciples. Jesus has never taught in secret and many times publicly. Jesus asks the high priest why he is asking the question, and a temple guard took offense and slapped Jesus in the face for talking to the high priest in this way. The high priest was Annas, but we know he was not the official high priest, as Annas sends Jesus to the official high priest, Caiaphas.
Jesus concludes by saying, "If I am doing anything wrong feel free to show me what it is!"
This reminds us that Jesus was sinless. There was no credible charge to bring against him, where he had broken the Jewish law. The priests were jealous that so many were following Jesus and his teaching and not theirs.
As Jesus heads to the cross one by one all those who were supposed to protect him like Peter, John, and the high priest, betray him. Though Jesus had done nothing wrong, he preached the truth. The people were uncomfortable with the truth because it exposed who they really were. Instead of listening to the truth, they wanted to kill the man who was the truth.
Do you stand up for the truth even when it is uncomfortable?
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