David-Joab Kills Absalom

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 18

From the Journals of a Servant

courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

The battle waged in the woods for hours. We, the army of David, fought the army of Absalom who came to attack us.

The causalities were great. Over twenty thousand lay dead in the woods. Absalom road a mule toward the front, his long, thick black hair flowing in the wind. His horse took him under branches of a terebinth tree that reached down to the height of his head. His hair tangled in the limbs, holding his body captive. The mule kept moving forward leaving Absalom dangling in the air.

I stood beside one of David's three captains, Joab when one of a soldiers came and reported the news.  Joab was furious and yelled, "Why didn't you kill him? I would have given you ten shekels and a belt?"

The soldier stood firm and didn't not falter when he replied. "You could have offered me one thousand shekels and I still wouldn't have raised a hand against the king's son. I heard the king say to you and the other two captains, 'Beware, if anyone touches Absalom.' To do what you said would be to risk my own life. Nothing is held secret from the king. You, yourself would have come after me."

Joab huffed. "I can't waste my time being near you." He grabbed three spears and with his ten armor bearers went to the place where Absalom dangled. I followed to report the events. Absalom thrashed, trying to free himself from branches he couldn't reach. The more he moved the more his hair tangled.

He begged Joab not to kill him, he offered him the captain position. "Too late, Joab yelled. You had your chance to choose me and didn't take it." Joab plunged all three spears into Absalom's heart. His ten armor bearers joined him by beating and finishing the kill. 

Joab blew the trumpet, signaling victory to David's army. The soldiers stopped their fighting and came to Joab's position. The men took Absalom's body and threw it in a pit in the woods covering it with a big rock.

Once the body had been buried the men ran back to the camp and hid in their tents. I am witness to these events should David ask, and he will. He won't be happy with Joab for disobeying his orders.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 10:

Why do You stand afar off, O Lord?
Why do You hide in times of trouble?
 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor;
Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

 For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire;
He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.
 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his thoughts.

 His ways are always prospering;
Your judgments are far above, out of his sight;
As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.
 He has said in his heart, “I shall not be moved;
I shall never be in adversity.”
 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression;
Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.

 He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
In the secret places he murders the innocent;
His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.
 He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den;
He lies in wait to catch the poor;
He catches the poor when he draws him into his net.
 So he crouches, he lies low,
That the helpless may fall by his strength.
 He has said in his heart,
“God has forgotten;
He hides His face;
He will never see.”

 Arise, O Lord!
O God, lift up Your hand!
Do not forget the humble.
 Why do the wicked renounce God?
He has said in his heart,
“You will not require an account.”

 But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief,
To repay it by Your hand.
The helpless commits himself to You;
You are the helper of the fatherless.
 Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man;
Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

 The Lord is King forever and ever;
The nations have perished out of His land.
 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will prepare their heart;
You will cause Your ear to hear,
 To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

**********************

1. What did the soldier under Joab's command report?

2. Who side was Joab on, David or Absalom's?

3. What happened to Absalom?

4. Why did Joab yell at the soldier?

5. What did Joab and his ten armor bearers do?

6. What and who's rule did Joab violate?

7. Afterwards, Joab blew the trumpet to call all the army. What did they do?

8. Since they went back and hid in their tents can we say the soldiers knew the did right or wrong?

David- The Coming Terrible Battle

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 17, 18

From David's Journal

picture courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

I led those who chose to follow me safely away from the Jordan to the east as Hushai recommended. We needed to hide from Absalom's army.

My son, Abaslom who stole the hearts of many people and my throne planned to attack me and my men with the Israelite soldiers who switched to his side. All of this was crazy. The country should be at peace, not split into two groups fighting each other.

I led my loyal army to Mahanaim. It was a safe city near the River Jabok where Saul's son Ishbosheth once ruled. After his death, the city became loyal to my throne. 

My men and I set up camp there. I received a report from a messenger stating Absalom and his army crossed the river. My heart felt heavy. I didn't want this battle. But Absalom brought it to pass. 

While in the city, a kindly man named Shobi delivered food for those traveling with me. God's provision through a willing soul. He brought beds, basins, pottery and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and cheese. He bowed to me with his gifts loaded on carts behind him. "My lord, your people are hungry, tired, and thirsty in the wilderness.. Please accept my gift."

"Thank you Shobi for helping these your people. Thank you for heeding God's call to bring this gift."

Since Absalom took over the throne, my former chief captain, Joab decided to be loyal to him. Apparently Absalom chose someone else for his captain which offended Joab. 

My former chief captain returned to my camp begging forgiveness. I of course accepted Joab and gave back his position as captain. We numbered all those who came with me and grouped them with captains over thousands and hundreds to prepare for the battle against Absalom and his followers.

The army was divided into three groups, one led by Joab, another Abishai, and the third under Ittai. I prepared to go with the army but the people begged me not to go. They said, "You can't go. If we run away, Absalom's army will not care about us, even if half of us die. But if they captured or killed you, it would be worth ten thousand of us. You, oh king, are now more help to us in the city."

I looked at their pleading eyes. "All right. I will stay." 

I stood by the gate and watched the army pass by me. Before the battle march began, I gave one last command to my captains, Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: "Be kind, for my sake with Absalom." All the army heard me say this last command to them.

On the army marched. Next time we will tell about the battle.

Here is a psalm we sing, you call it Psalm 9 NKJV

I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
 I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

 When my enemies turn back,
They shall fall and perish at Your presence.
 For You have maintained my right and my cause;
You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.
 You have rebuked the nations,
You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

 O enemy, destructions are finished forever!
And you have destroyed cities;
Even their memory has perished.
 But the Lord shall endure forever;
He has prepared His throne for judgment. 
He shall judge the world in righteousness,
And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. 

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.
 When He avenges blood, He remembers them;
He does not forget the cry of the humble.

 Have mercy on me, O Lord!
Consider my trouble from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death,
 That I may tell of all Your praise
In the gates of the daughter of Zion.
I will rejoice in Your salvation.

 The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made;
In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught.
 The Lord is known by the judgment He executes;
The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.

Meditation. Selah

The wicked shall be turned into hell,
And all the nations that forget God.
 For the needy shall not always be forgotten;
The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.

 Arise, O Lord,
Do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged in Your sight.
 Put them in fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah

**************************
1. What side of the Jordan did David lead his men.
2. Why did he choose Mahanaim?
3. Who helped David's men and how did he help them?
4. What captain left David's service to help Absalom but then came back to David?
5. How did David treat the bad captain who left him.
6. Why did the people want David to stay?

David-The Plot Thickens

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 17

From Hushai's Notes

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Being a spy means keeping aware of every possible glitch in a plan. This was a tricky and complicated idea, and I won't tell you if it worked or not until the end.

If you recall, in the last post king David ordered for me to return to the castle where his son claimed to be king. My job: confuse any wise counsel given to Absalom.

Yesterday I did just that. Absalom and his men agreed with my ridiculous plan instead of siding with the wise counsel from his personal advisor. 

The next step, tell the priest who also are in the castle as spies. I went to Zadok and Abiathar, "Everything is going according to plan. Absalom's advisor actually came up with a great idea, one that would have killed our beloved king. Absalom asked for my opinion. I told him the idea would be bad and gave a different suggestion. 

"Fortunately Absalom agreed with my idea instead of his advisor's. Now, go to En Rogel and tell our spies hiding in the field to report this plan to David. Tell David, 'Do not spend the night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, or you and all the people who are with you will be swallowed up.'"

Zadok and Abiathar went outside the city as if on an errand and travelled to En Rogel to a servant's house where they found the spies, Jonathan and Ahimaaz. A young man saw them talking to Zadok and Abiathar and ran to the king to report the news.

In the meantime, Jonathan and Ahimaaz ran to a man's house in Bahurim. He had a well in the middle of his land. The spies hid inside the well. A servant woman covered the mouth of the well with ground grain.

Not long after, Absalom's soldiers arrived and asked where the spies went. The woman said, "They have gone over the water brook"

The soldiers searched for the spies, but couldn't find them. After they left, the spies crawled out of the well and ran to David's camp.

"My lord." They bowed and gasped for air. "Hurry. Cross over the water quickly. For Ahithophel gave the idea for the king to come against you."

David didn't waste any time. He ordered his followers to cross the River Jordan at once.

The next day Absalom's close advisor grew angry when his counsel was not followed. He stomped out of the castle, walked to his home, made sure his wife was cared for and hung himself.

And in the end, David and all those who followed him were safe.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 6:

O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak;
O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
 My soul also is greatly troubled;
But You, O Lord—how long?

 Return, O Lord, deliver me!
Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!
 For in death there is no remembrance of You;
In the grave who will give You thanks?

 I am weary with my groaning;
All night I make my bed swim;
I drench my couch with my tears.
 My eye wastes away because of grief;
It grows old because of all my enemies.

 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;
For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
 The Lord has heard my supplication;
The Lord will receive my prayer.
 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;
Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.

******************************
1.  Which man was the advisor for Abaslom: Hushai or Ahithophel?
2.  Which man was the advisor for David:      Hushai or Ahithophel?
3.  Which man gave the wise counsel:           Hushai or Ahithophel? 
4.  Which man gave the wrong counsel:        Hushai or Ahithophel?
5.  Which man was a spy:                               Hushai or Ahithophel?
6.  Which man became jealous and killed himself:  Hushai or Ahithophel?
7.  Which man saved David and those who followed him? Hushai or Ahithophel?

David's Spy Enters the Castle

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 15, 17, Psalm 7

From Hushai's Journals

Let me make this clear, beyond all doubt, I am loyal to David, the man of God. I will say this to my dying day.

David recently fled the castle after his son Absalom declared himself king. I went with David to show my loyalty, but at the first rest stop he asked me to return to the castle and say to Absalom "I will be your servant, O king as I was your father's."

He wanted me to confuse the counsel of Absalom's advisor and bring him to defeat.

I felt honored to be chosen to serve my king in such a way. I returned to the castle and met with Absalom. Immediately I bowed before him and said, "Long live the king!"

Absalom's left brow rose. "Is this your way of showing loyalty to your friend, David? Why didn't you go with him?"

I bowed again. "No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose as king, his I will be, and with him I will remain. As I served in your father's presence, so will I be in yours."

I'm not sure he believed me, yet. He turned to Ahithophel, his advisor, and said, "What do you think I should do with Hushai?"

Ahithophel lowered his brows and smiled like only a villain would. "My lord, I think you should go to all the women David left to take care of this castle and marry them, right on the rooftop, that all Israel may see. This will show the people you have, indeed, taken the throne of your father." He glared at me. I chose not to say a word at this time.

Ahithophel continued to give Absalom advise. He made his words sound like God had given him the counsel to share with Absalom. But, Absalom did not throw me in prison.

The next day Ahithophel, that rotten guy, suggested Absalom give him twelve thousand soldiers to chase David and his men and  conquer them. "David will be weary from travel, lack of sleep, and little food." He said, "I will bring back all his men, except David, of course. David will be killed and his men will be reunited with your followers. Then the country will be at peace under your rule."

Thankfully, God stirred Abaslom's heart to seek my advise. I received a message to go to the king's chambers. Absalom told me Ahithophel's plan. "What do you think, Hushhai? Should I do what he said?"

I stoke my beard. "My lord, I'm sorry to say, Ahithophel's plan is not good at this time. You know your father and his men. They are strong, mighty men and angry like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. They will not be tired. 

"You father is a man of war and will not camp with the people. Hmmm, surely by now he is hidden in some pit or some other place. For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man and those with him are valiant men.

"No, I advise you to send word and gather all the men of Israel, from the northern corners to the southern, and go to battle against David and his men. We will fall on him as the dew leaving not one of David's men alive."

Everyone in the chamber looked at Ahithophel then at me. They nodded, and said, "Yes, Hushai's advise is much better. Let's do what he says."

I bowed in appreciate of having my advise accepted. Ahithophel's eyes flashed with anger. 

Thankfully, the Lord put in their hearts not to follow the wise advise of Ahithophel. It really was the better counsel. 

My work had only begun. Now I must let David know the plan so he can formulate an escape plan

Here is a Psalm we sang. You cal it Psalm 5:

Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my meditation.
 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.
 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.

 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil dwell with You.
 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity.
 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.
 Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight before my face.

 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
Their inward part is destruction;
Their throat is an open tomb;
They flatter with their tongue.
 Pronounce them guilty, O God!
Let them fall by their own counsels;
Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions,
For they have rebelled against You.

 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
 For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

******************************* 
1. What is Hushai's job?
2. What is Ahithophel's job?
3. Who was Hushai loyal to?
4. Who was Ahithophel to?
5. What did David ask Hushai to do?
6. Was Huhai successful?

David-First Thought: Worship

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 15

From David's Journals

courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

I looked back at the city.

Walking away with great sadness because my son, Absalom, had taken over the kingship. It broke my heart. On the other hand, a mighty strength, a resolve rolled around in my veins, boiling within me because God had given me the job and I needed to finish my work.

We crossed the Brook Kidron to escape. The Levities carried the ark of the covenant of God. 

But at the brook, I spoke with Zadok. "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If, somehow, I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back and show me both the ark and the dwelling place. If, I don't find favor, let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him.

"In fact, Zadok, you and your sons should stay in the city with the ark. I will wait in the wilderness for a message from you indicating I can return."

Zadok and his sons bowed and picked up the ark, carrying it back to the city where they remained.

I needed to spend time worshiping God. I led the people up to the Mount of Olives, weeping as I walked barefooted. My head was covered. 

During this time, a messengers reported one of my advisors had gone with Absalom. I lifted my eyes to the heavens and prayed, "O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness."

Near the top of the mountain, Hushai ran toward me. Hushai had been a good friend and also an advisor. His robe had been torn and filled with dirt. I couldn't let him go with me, this would only stir up more trouble. " Hushai," I said. "Go back to the city and tell Absalom you will be his servant as you were his father's servant."

I held up my hand to make him wait for further instruction. "Listen carefully. Whatever you hear from the king's house, go and tell Zadok and his son, Abiathar the priests. Through them you can send me everything you hear."

He bowed to me and nodded. "I will be happy to serve you, my lord." 

Thank you, my friend. God be with you until we meet again.

I don't know how long we will have to wait in the wilderness, Lord. Please bring us back home soon.

****************************
1. Why did David and his loyal people run from the city?
2. What did David tell Zadok and his sons to do?
3. Where did David lead the people with him? and Why?
4. Who met David at the top of the mountain?
5. What did David tell the man to do?

During this time David was inspired to write this Psalm. 
Psalm 3

I have so many enemies, Lord,
    so many who turn against me!
 They talk about me and say,
    “God will not help him.”

 But you, O Lord, are always my shield from danger;
    you give me victory
    and restore my courage.
 I call to the Lord for help,
    and from his sacred hill^[b] he answers me.

I lie down and sleep,
    and all night long the Lord protects me.
 I am not afraid of the thousands of enemies
    who surround me on every side.

 Come, Lord! Save me, my God!
You punish all my enemies
    and leave them powerless to harm me.
Victory comes from the Lord—
    may he bless his people.

David: Absalom's Plot

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 15

From Absalom's Servant's Notes

courtesy visualbiblealive.com

I am recording these events in this post, hoping someone will notice and maybe put a stop to it. My loyalties are with King David. The chosen one for Israel's throne. He is a kind and blessed king and I don't want anything bad to happen to him.

His son, Absalom, is wicked. I didn't notice this until recently, and I apologize for not telling anyone sooner. But maybe this warning is not too late.

I had worked in Absalom's household for many years. He cared for his sister Tamar after her half brother Amnon hurt her. He has sons and one daughter whom he named after his sister. Absalom even ached to see his father and begged an audience with him.

I believed him. Thought he truly loved his father. Until. . .

Absalom hired chariots and fifty men to run before him--everywhere he went in the country. The people loved his pageantry. They came out of their houses to see the handsome and grand prince waving branches and bowing before him.

He asked me to wake him early each morning. Before the sun rose. He dressed and ate a quick breakfast then hurried to the gate where the people made appointments to tell their concerns. Anyone who came with a lawsuit to bring to the king he greeted especially nice.

Absalom stepped toward the person and reached his hand toward them. With a concerned smile he asked, "What city are you from?" When they answered he then said to them, "Your case is good and right. Sadly there is no deputy of the king to hear you." He would lift his chin a little and say, "Oh, if I were judge in the land, then when anyone had a case to be heard, I could give them justice." He leaned forward and gave the person a hug and kiss on the cheek. "I wish you well."

The man or woman usually walked away sad Absalom would not be the judge for their case.

One by one Absalom secretly won the hearts of the people. For forty years he prepared the people for his evil plot.

One day he requested an audience with King David. He bowed before the king and gave the impression he meant great respect for him. "May I have permission to go to Hebron, father? I wish to honor a vow to the Lord which I made long ago in Gesur. I promised the Lord if he brought me back to Jerusalem I would serve Him."

David, of course gave permission for such a worthy request. But he did not know what Absalom really planned to do in Hebron. Absalom sent spies into all the tribes to tell the people, "When you hear the trumpet sound shout 'Absalom reigns in Hebron!'"

Absalom took two hundred men from Jerusalem with him on his journey to Hebron. They did not know his plan. He also invited David's counselor to join him. The conspiracy grew strong and the number of people with Absalom increased.

I must stop here. Some one is coming. I will continue this report next time.

**************************
1.  The servant reporting this news says Absalom is ________
2.  When Absalom returned to Jerusalme he hired _____________
3.  Each morning Absalom rose early and went to ________ and told the people _____
4.  Why did he do this?
5.  After forty years Absalom requested permission to go to _________
This is an important city. It was a home for Abraham and many important events took place there.
6.  Did those who were invited to Hebron with Absalom know what was going on?
7. Now we ask, what do you think Absalom is planning to do?

David-Forgives Absalom

by Mary Vee
II Samuel  14

From Joab's Notes

photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.com

At one time I thought saving Absalom from banishment was a good idea. May be not so much anymore.

He sent a messenger to me recently who said, "Absalom wants  you to get permission for him to go before the king."

I didn't want to interfere between him and the king anymore. 

I will be the first to admit Absalom has received great praises from all the people for his good looks. His hair grew thicker than anyone. It weighed so heavy on his head he had it cut it once a year, much more than any other man. When the cut portion fell on the scales, it weighed two hundred shekels according to the king's measurement.

I thought Absalom had settled back into his home and lived a happy life. God gave him three sons and one daughter. He names his little girl Tamar after his sister. I guess I was wrong.

I sent the messenger back to Absalom with no answer.

A few days later the messenger returned again, carrying Absalom's wish to go before the king. "Tell Absalom, No. I will not come to see him. He has asked far too much of me."

I should have known better. Absalom is quite used to getting his own way. I looked out my window a few days later and found my barley field ablaze. Only one person would do something that wicked. 

I set out for his home right away.

He had a smug look on his face, like most spoiled children. It did not look as well on a man. "Why did you burn my barley field?"

He shrugged. "You wouldn't come when I asked for you."

If he weren't the prince I would have left right then. "Tell me, what do you want."

He paced around the room moving his arms as he spoke. "I ran away to Gesur because I thought father would have me arrested for killing Amnon. He gave permission for me to come back yet it has been two years since my return. I've waited long enough. I want to see my father, now."

I bowed to him, even though he didn't deserve it. "I will go to him for you."
"Thank you, Joab. I knew I could get you to agree."

I held my tongue. There were many words I could have said, though. I traveled to the king's palace. Best to get the ordeal over with right away. I asked to go before King David. He granted permission and allowed me into his chamber right away.

"My lord, your son, Absalom requests to see you. He says he spent three years in banishment and now two years here in Jerusalem. He would like to speak with you."

David closed his eyes and sat quiet for a time. I stayed at attention waiting for him to make a decision. "All right, Joab. Bring Absalom."

I was a bit surprised but pleased, not knowing what Absalom would do if David said no.  Absalom prepared himself, put on his best clothes and journeyed with me to the palace. 

When David signaled permission for Absalom to walk forward, he did then bowed low to the floor. "Oh, Father, how I've longed to see you."

David reached his hands forward, pulled his son close to him and kissed him.

I don't think Absalom deserved his father's kindness, but I am grateful for peace.

***************************

1.  What message did the messenger bring from Absalom?
2. What message did the messenger bring the second time?
3. When Joab did not respond, what did Absalom do?
4. Joab agreed to _________
5. When Absalom went before the king, what did he do?
6. What was David's response?