Monthly Archives: August 2006

The story of Absalom is the story of the intrigues that always seem to plague kings and nations when it comes to politics. While it might be difficult to see God’s Law and Grace in such a reading, this is a reading on the nature of men, which is to always seek what benefits them most, sometimes to the exclusion of what might harm others. The deeper nature of this reality will be reflected in what happens with David, Absalom, and Joab later. Continue reading →

Today’s reading shows us the beginnings of the consequences David had to face as a result of his sin with Bathsheba. He lost his infant son to illness, a direct consequence. Then, he lost his son Ammon to the vengeful sword of Absalom after Ammon raped their sister, thereby fulfilling God’s promise through the prophet Nathan that the sword would never depart David’s household as a result of his sin. Continue reading →

Today’s reading begins one of the greatest tales of sinful intrigue recorded in the Bible, perhaps in all literature. Within the story of David and Bathsheba, nearly every commandment set by God as a guide for His people is broken by David as he covets, commits adultery, murders, and steals. For all of David’s greatness, such actions are enough to undo all of what we have known of Him to this point, except for one thing. Continue reading →

David’s greatness as a man is reinforced by his compassion as a friend. David did not forget his friend Jonathan, and sought out some way to honor his friend even after he was gone. In this way, David not only remembered Jonathan, but also helped heal the rifts that surely remained in Israel after Saul’s defeat and David’s establishment as the king of Israel. Continue reading →