Daily Bible Reading “Barzillai Had a Servant’s Heart” (2 Samuel 19:31-43)

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Barzillai Had a Servant’s Heart

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 19:31-43. Barzillai, who was a Gileadite, came from Rogelim and crossed the Jordan with the king and sent him on his way from there.

Barzillai was getting up in age. He was eighty years old at this time. He provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, which is mentioned in 2 Samuel 17:27-29. He was a wealthy man who had brought supplies for David and his men. He and his friends saved the lives of the king and his men.

The king asked Barzillai to cross over with him and stay with him in Jerusalem. The king promised to provide for Barzillai.

Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? He reminded the king that he was eighty years old. He said he had trouble telling the difference between what was enjoyable and what wasn’t. He told the king that he couldn’t taste what he ate and drank. He also said that he couldn’t even hear the voices of male and female singers. He didn’t want to be an added burden to the king.

He told the king that he would cross over the Jordan with him for a short distance, but didn’t want the king to reward him in that way. He asked the king to let him return, so he could die in his own town and be buried near the tomb of his father and mother. He suggested that the king let Chimham cross over with him instead. He asked the king to do for Chimham whatever he wished.

The king agreed to let Chimham cross over with him, and said he would do for him whatever Barzillai wanted. He also told Barzillai that he would do anything for him that he desired.

All the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and told him goodbye. Barzillai returned to his home as he desired.

When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Chimham went with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king over.

Soon the men of Israel came to the king and asked him, why the men of Judah stole the king away and brought him, his household, and all his men across the Jordan.

The men of Judah told the men of Israel that they did this because the king was closely related to them. They questioned them as to why they were angry about it. They asked, “Have we eaten any of the king’s food? Have we taken anything for ourselves?”

The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king; so we have a greater claim on David than you have. Why then do you treat us with contempt? We were the first to speak of bringing back our king.” The men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel. These men were acting like King David was their possession to barter for or something.

Barzillai, on the other hand, had a servant’s heart. He had done things to help David, but he didn’t want anything in return. He didn’t want to be a burden to David. He only wanted to be a blessing to him.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 19:31-43

31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
34 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
36 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
37 Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
38 And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.
39 And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.
40 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
41 And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?
42 And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?
43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

Things to think about:

What did we learn in this Scripture about Barzillai?
Why didn’t he want to stay with the king?
Who did he recommend in his place?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that there were supporters of King David. There were people like Barzillai who had taken care of the king, but didn’t want anything in return. Help us to find people to partner with to do Your work who a not selfish and self-serving, but truly want to help further Your kingdom. Help us to have a servant’s heart. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “Servant’s Heart”

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The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD
By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:
The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. Malachi was considered to be a “Messenger of the LORD.” God delivered His message to the people of Israel through Malachi. Malachi was one of the twelve prophets from the Old Testament. The book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament of the Bible.

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD includes eight Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary from the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for discussion or contemplation, and a prayer for the day to go along with the lesson. This book is great for a personal daily devotional or for a group Bible study.

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Daily Bible Reading “Mephibosheth Returns to Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 19:24-30)

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Mephibosheth Returns to Jerusalem

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 19:24-30. Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul, came to Jerusalem to meet King David. He hadn’t washed his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the king left.

When Mephibosheth arrived, David asked him why he didn’t go with him when he left town. Mephibosheth told David that his servant had deceived him. His servant, Ziba, told Mephibosheth that he would saddle a donkey for him so he could go with the king, since he was lame, but he didn’t.

Mephibosheth told King David that his servant had lied to him. He proclaimed that the king was an angel of God and told him to do whatever he pleased.

Mephibosheth acknowledged that all of those from his father’s house were like dead men to the king. But, Mephibosheth had a special relationship with the king since King David had invited him to eat at the kings table.

David asked Mephibosheth why he kept talking about these matters. The king told him that he had already decided that he and Ziba could split the land.

Mephibosheth told King David that Ziba could have the property since the king had returned to the palace in peace.

King David was in no mood to condemn anybody at this time. He was celebrating his return to the palace. It was obvious by the fact that Mephibosheth hadn’t taken care of himself since King David left that he was mourning for David. Because of King David’s relationship with Mephibosheth’s father, Jonathan, he held a special place in the king’s heart.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 19:24-30

24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
26 And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
27 And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
28 For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
29 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
30 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.

Things to think about:

What was Mephibosheth’s concern?
What did the king ask Mephibosheth?
What did Mephibosheth say his servant had done?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that Mephibosheth came to the king to try to make things right with him. What Mephibosheth acted like was a big problem didn’t seem to bother King David. Help us when dealing with others not to over react, but to act in humility as King David did. Help us to have a forgiving spirit. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”

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The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD
By Deborah H. Bateman

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Daily Bible Reading “David Reinstated as King” (2 Samuel 19:9-23)

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Reinstated as King

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 19:9-23. The people of Israel were in distress. They were troubled because David had saved them from their enemies, and delivered them out of the hand of the Philistines; and then he was driven out of the land by Absalom.

Now, Absalom, whom they anointed to be king over them, had died in battle. They didn’t understand why there wasn’t talk of bringing King David back.

King David sent word to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, asking them to talk to the elders of Judah, and ask them, “Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house?” The king had heard the talk that was going around throughout all Israel, he knew that the people were in distress.

The king questioned them saying, “You are my brethren, you are my bones and my flesh: so why are you the last to bring back the king?”

He sent word to Amasa asking, “Are you not my own flesh and bone?” God do the same to me, and even more, if you are not appointed captain of my army instead of Joab.

David won the hearts of all the men of Judah. The men were all in agreement, so they sent word to the king to return and bring all his servants with him.

King David returned. He came as far as Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal, and met the king, to lead him over Jordan.

Shimei, the son of Gera, who was a Benjamite, whose mother was Bahurim, came down with the other men of Judah to meet king David.

There were a thousand men from the tribe of Benjamin with Shimei. Ziba, who was the servant of Saul came to Jordan with his fifteen sons and twenty servants met the king at Jordan as well.

They brought a ferry boat to carry the king’s household, and did whatever the king wished. Shimei, the son of Gera, bowed before the king, when he crossed over Jordan.

He begged the king for forgiveness asking him not to find him guilty, nor remember what he had done to the king the day that the king left Jerusalem.

He knew that he had done the king wrong that is why he was the first that day from the house of Joseph to go down and meet the king.

Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, asked, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’S anointed?”

David declared, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be adversaries to me? Shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? Today I am king over Israel?” He swore to Shimei, that he wouldn’t die.

Did you notice how those who were closest to David, his own kin folks, were the last to call for his reinstatement as king? Why is it that sometimes the people who we are closest to give the least amount of support? David had to ask them to reinstate him. It was as if they couldn’t see that the people wanted David to return as the king over Israel.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 19:9-23

9 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.
10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
11 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.
12 Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
13 And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
15 So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
18 And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
19 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
20 For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’S anointed?
22 And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

Things to think about:

Why were the people of Israel in turmoil?
What was the answer to their problem?
Who did King David appeal to in order to resolve the problem?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that the people were without a king. Absalom had been killed and David fled from Absalom and his men. David’s own family members were the last to reinstate him as king. Help us to realize that sometimes the ones we love most and expect to support us are the least likely to. Help us to find favor with others who are willing to support us in our endeavors to serve You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “King of My Heart”

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

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The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD
By Deborah H. Bateman

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Daily Bible Reading “David Learns of Absalom’s Fate” (2 Samuel 18:16-33)

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Learns of Absalom’s Fate

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 18:16-33. In this Scripture King David learns of his son, Absalom’s fate. Joab sounded the trumpet for the battle to end and the troops stopped pursuing Israel.

They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the woods and put a big pile of rocks on top of him. All the Israelites fled to their tents.

During his lifetime Absalom erected a pillar in the Kidron Valley as a monument to himself, since he didn’t have a son to carry on his name. He named the pillar after himself. It is still called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, asked if he could run and take the news to the king that the LORD had vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.

Joab told him that he wasn’t the one to take the news that day. Joab told him that he could take the news another time, but not that day, because the king’s son was dead.

Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab and ran off to do as he was instructed.

Ahimaaz again said to Joab, “Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite.” But Joab replied, “My son, why do you want to go? You don’t have any news that will bring you a reward.”

He said, “Come what may, I want to run.” Joab told him to go ahead and go. Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and ran so fast he outran the Cushite.

David was sitting between the inner and outer gates. The watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. He saw a man running alone.

The watchman called out to King David and reported what he saw. The king said, “If he is alone, he must have good news.” Then, the watchman saw another runner, and he called down to the gatekeeper telling him that there was another man who was also running by himself. The king said, “He must be bringing good news, too.”

The watchman said, “It seems to me that the first man runs like Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok.” The king said, “He’s a good man.” “He’s bringing good news.” King David was hoping that the men were bringing good news.

Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” Then he bowed down before the king and said, “Praise the LORD your God! He has delivered up those who lifted their hands against the king.”

The king asked, “Is Absalom safe?” Ahimaaz answered, “I saw a great confusion as Joab was about to send the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was.”

The king replied, “Stand aside and wait here.” The man did as the king requested. When the Cushite arrived, he said, “My lord the king, hear the good news! The LORD has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.”

The king asked the Cushite, “Is Absalom safe?” David’s main concern was the well-being of his son, Absalom. The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”

When the king realized that Absalom had been killed he was visibly shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway weeping. As he went up, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I could have died instead of you. O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Can you imagine the grief King David must have felt when he found out His son, Absalom, was dead? Do you remember how you felt when you found out about a loved ones death? What are some of the emotions the king must have felt? Where can we find comfort in times of trouble?

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 18:16-33

16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place.
19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.
20 And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.
21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
27 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
31 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

Things to think about:

What did Joab and his men do with Absalom?
Why did Absalom build a monument to himself?
Where is Absalom’s monument located?
Who was sent to give the king the news of his son’s death?
What was King David’s response when he realized his son was dead?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel and learn of Absalom’s fate we see that King David was distraught. Help us when we go through times of grief in our lives to turn to You for comfort. You are the great comforter. Help us to have compassion for others who have lost loved ones. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

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The Book of Malachi A Message from the LORD by Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD
By Deborah H. Bateman

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

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Deborah

Daily Bible Reading “Absalom Seeks Revenge” (2 Samuel 13:19-39)

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Absalom Seeks Revenge

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 13:19-39. Tamar was so upset about what her brother Ammon did she put ashes on her head and tore her multicolored garment. She put her head in her hands and cried.

Her brother Absalom saw her distress and asked if her brother Ammon had been with her. He advised her to hold her peace because Ammon was her brother. So Tamar remained in desolation at her brother Absalom’s house.

When King David heard what happened he was angry. Absalom didn’t speak to his brother from that day forward. He was angry with Ammon for forcing himself on his sister.

Two years later, Absalom and his sheep shearers were in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim. Absalom went to the king and invited the king, his servants and all the king’s sons to join them.

The king didn’t think it necessary for him and all his servants to join Absalom, because they would be burdensome to him. But the king gave Absalom his blessings.

Absalom insisted that the king allow his sons to join him and his sheep shearers. The king finally gave in and allowed his sons to go with Absalom.

Absalom instructed his servants to wait until Ammon was drunk on wine and when he told them to they were to kill him. Absalom’s servants did as he requested and killed Ammon.

When the other brothers saw what happened they got on their donkeys and left. They may have feared for their life as well.

The king heard that Absalom had killed all of his sons. He was so upset he laid on the ground and he and his servants tore their clothes.

Jonadab came and told David not all of his sons were killed, only Ammon. He also told David that Absalom had it in his heart to do away with Ammon ever since he took advantage of his sister, Tamar.

Absolom fled and the man who kept watch saw many people coming behind him.

Jonadab told the king that his sons were coming home and as soon as he got done telling him they arrived. The king, his sons, and his servants were distraught over Ammon’s death. They all shed tears of grief.

Absalom fled. He went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, who was the king of Geshur. Absalom stayed in Geshur for three years.

His father, King David, mourned for his son every day. After three years David was comforted concerning his son Ammon, who was dead, but David longed to go to Absalom.

This is one of those tough family situations that went from bad to worse. David’s heart had to be grieved. His family was torn apart by all these incidents. His children turned on one another. Ammon violated his daughter, Tamar and Absalom killed his brother, Ammon. Can you imagine how broken David’s heart must have been?

I’m sure David never imagined that anything like this would take place in his family. Sometimes the people we love the most and are closest to hurt us the worse. Have you ever had tough situations in your family that broke your heart? Maybe you haven’t had anything to this extent or maybe you have. Either way when our heart is broken all we can do is turn to God for comfort.

As you’ve probably heard it said a million times “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” This is a perfect example of that statement. Absalom let his anger get the best of him. It is understandable that he would be angry and upset in this situation, but taking his brother’s life didn’t help the situation any. It only made the situation worse than it already was.

Romans 12:19 tells us, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 13:19-39

19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.
25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.
26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left.
31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.
35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.
36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.
37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

Things to think about:

What did Absalom tell Tamar to do about what Ammon did to her?
How did Absalom plan to get revenge on Ammon?
Did his plan work?
How did Absalom’s revenge affect his family?
Who should we turn to when life gets too hard to handle?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we study this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see the turmoil that took place in King David’s family. We can see that his heart was broken over these circumstances in his family. Thank God he had You to turn to in his time of trouble. David loved You and You loved him. Help us to turn to You for the comfort we need when life is tough. Help us to keep our emotions under control when life is out of our control. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “I Go to the Rock” ~ Whitney Houston