1 Kings 9 -- More Cracks Starting To Appear

The Lord appeared to Solomon again, and He said, "I have heard your prayer ... You built this Temple, and I have made it a holy place.  I will be worshiped there forever and will watch over it and protect it always."

Of course we know that the Temple isn't standing today.  It was destroyed.  Yet God had made this promise.  That can only mean one thing -- it was a conditional promise, so there's a big "but...." coming.

"But you must serve me as your father David did ... You must obey all I have commanded and keep my laws and rules.  If you do, I will make your kingdom strong ... But you and your children must follow Me and obey the laws and commands I have given you.  You must not serve or worship other gods."

God knew Solomon's weakness and warned him ahead of time.  He knew Solomon's heart -- the way he was collecting wives and concubines and becoming influenced by them. My commentary said, "These activities also reveal Solomon's character and expose some of the areas of weakness that later produced a bitter harvest.  Gradually, Solomon became more interested in prices than in values, and in reputation rather than character, and in the splendor of the kingdom rather than the good of the people and the glory of the Lord."

More of these weaknesses will show up in the next chapter.

Father, You know me better than I know myself, and You know what's coming and whether I will be tempted by it or remain strong.  Help me to trust Your wisdom and Your love for me, and keep me from letting Satan exploit my weaknesses to draw me away from You.  Keep me close, even when I might not want to be. 

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

1 Kings 8 -- We're In There

The Temple was completed and Solomon had the Ark brought from the Holy Tent and placed in the Holy of Holies.  God's presence then inhabited the room and the priests couldn't even continue their work because the presence of God was so palpable!  Much later, God's glory would come to earth "in the person of Jesus Christ, but sinners crucified the Lord of glory.  When Jesus returned to heaven, the cloud of glory accompanied Him and the temple was left desolate," my commentary said.  "Since the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, God's glory has resided in each of God's children individually, as we as in the church local and the church universal."

"There is a mystery about God that humbles us, because we don't always understand Him and His ways, but this mystery also encourages us to trust Him and rest upon His Word."

"Solomon realized that God's willingness to dwell with His people was wholly an act of grace."

In verses 41-43, there is a reference to all of us:  "People who are not Israelites ... will hear about Your greatness and power.  They will ... pray ... then hear from Your home in heaven, and do what they ask You.  Then people everywhere will honor You and respect You."

Wow, Father!  To think that I was on Your mind even back then!  Thank You for loving me and wanting me to discover You and come near to You.  Draw those I love closer to You even now.  Let them see Your power and Your great love for them, even in their sin.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

1 Kings 6-7 -- Not Just About A Building

Solomon built the Temple according to specifications given by God.  I've always marveled that the basic building, without its courtyards, would almost exactly fill the front yard of my own home, yet it would tower 4.5 stories high!

My commentary made a very important point:  "God took the consequences of David's two worst sins -- a piece of property and a son -- and built a temple!  'But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.' ... It is an encouragement to us to go on serving God after we've repented and confessed our sins.  Satan wants us to think that all is lost, but the God of all grace is still at work."

Father, there's nothing left of that temple, but You've established Your temple now in my body and You live in my heart.  Thank You for these reassurances and for promising never to leave me or forsake me!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

1 Kings 5 -- God Uses Unbelievers

My commentary brought up an unexpected topic this morning.

"Solomon conscripted 30,000 to labor on the temple ... These men were Jewish citizens and were not treated like slaves ... Even though the conscription involved a very small portion of the male citizens, the Jewish people resented Solomon taking 30,000 of their men to work in Lebanon four months of the year.  This critical attitude helped to strengthen the people's revolt against Rehoboam and to precipitate the division of the nation after Solomon's death," my commentary noted.

It also made a very important point:  "Hiram's workers in Lebanon were not worshipers of the Lord, and the aliens in the land of Israel were not Jewish proselytes, yet God used both of these groups of outsiders to help build His holy Temple.  'The Lord would have all men be saved,' but even if they aren't believers, He can use them to fulfill His purposes.  He used Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army to chasten Israel, and called Nebuchadnezzar 'My servant' and He used Cyrus king of Persia to set Israel free and help them rebuild their temple.  This should encourage us in our praying and serving, for the Lord can use people we least appreciate to get His will done on earth.  God can even work through unconverted government officials to to open doors for His people or meet the needs they might have.

Father, I watched You do this very thing in my own life with officials in Ukraine during my two adoption trips!  You are an incredible God who is sovereign over all people.  Seeing You work like that builds my faith even more!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

1 Kings 4 -- Solomon's Supposed Wisdom Starts Leading To Stupidity

To the world, this chapter likely stirs ambitions of others to achieve what Solomon achieved and to rebuild such a fantastic lifestyle, but the wisest man on earth couldn't see how this established order was instituting the decay of his nation.

Solomon established a bureaucracy that did exactly what Samuel had warned -- it exacted a heavy toll on the people who had to support it.  Solomon set up 12 districts, not along tribal boundaries but including all captured lands as well.  My commentary wondered if this was done "to minimize tribal loyalty and eliminate some of the tension between Judah and the northern tribes.  Instead, the plan only aggravated the tension, particularly since Judah wasn't included in the redistricting program.  Being the royal tribe that contained the royal city, Judah was administrated separately."

The excesses of Solomon's reign, particularly in supporting his household of 700 wives, 300 concubines, their children and his numerous officers put a heavy toll on the common people, who had to be taxed to pay for it.  This would start the feelings of rebellion toward such entitlement.

One other thing my commentary noted:  "David appreciated and enjoyed God's created world and wrote hymns of praise about the Creator and His creation, but Solomon looked upon nature more as an object of study ... Solomon didn't have the steadfast devotion to the Lord that characterized his father, and his many pagan wives were planting seeds in his heart that would bear bitter fruit."

I'm thinking less and less of Solomon's wisdom with every chapter I read!

Father, help me not to turn a blind eye to things in my own life that might be developing as Solomon's problems did.  I don't want worldly wisdom, but godly wisdom to be able to view the world as You do.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

1 Kings 3 -- A Good Start Doesn't Guarantee A Good Finish

"King Solomon was among the wisest fools who ever wore a crown," according to Frederick Buechner.  "Nobody pointed to Solomon as a good example of a godly ruler."

"David risked his life on the battlefield to defeat enemy nations ... Solomon made treaties with other rulers by marrying their daughters ... Yet Moses in the law warned the Jewish kings not to multiply wives."  God had separated the Jews from other nations to obey Him and be a light to the Gentiles, but Solomon was doing his best to consort with them ... "The price he paid was too high," my commentary said.

"Solomon violated the law of Moses, not only by marrying many wives, but also by multiplying horses and depending on chariots.  Contrary to God's command, Solomon went back to Egypt for both!  The king was required to copy out for himself the book of Deuteronomy, and we wonder how Solomon responded when he read the command about wives and horses."

Solomon and his officers traveled to Gibeon as an act of consecration.  God spoke to him there in a dream.  In His grace, God said, "Ask!  What shall I give you?"  "Solomon saw himself as a youthful leader who desperately needed wisdom and asked God for the wisdom to rule the nation that God would give him an understanding heart ... Solomon wanted a hearing heart ... to the O.T. Jew, hearing meant obeying."

God was pleased and also gave him the things he didn't ask for.  In verse 14, "The Lord was careful to remind Solomon that his obedience to God's covenant and his devotion to the Lord were keys to his future blessings ... It's unfortunate that Solomon with all his wisdom forgot this part of the agreement and gradually drifted into sin and disobedience, and God had to chasten him."

When Solomon asked God to give him an obedient heart, I suppose that he felt that he sure didn't have one at the time, or else he might not have asked.  Since God was pleased that Solomon had asked this, perhaps He agreed.

Father, I too need wisdom and discernment right now.  I also need an obedient and hearing heart, since it seems that You are leading me down a new path, and I want to obey.  Open my heart and mind to Your will and wisdom and walk with me through this.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford

1 Kings 2 -- Not Vengeance But Righteousness

My commentary explained that the first acts of Solomon as king after David's death were not acts of vengeance.

David was a realist and he conveyed information to Solomon before his death because "he wanted to be certain that the new kingdom didn't inherit old problems.  Some of his first words to Solomon were, 'Put the Lord first,' and 'Be strong and show yourself a man.'  Solomon was a young man who had lived a sheltered life, so he needed this admonition."

"David knew that there were perils lurking in the shadows in the kingdom and he warned Solomon to act immediately and deal with two dangerous men ... Joab had asserted his own will and been guilty of murdering innocent men ... Joab killed Abner because Abner had killed Asahel.  Joab also killed David's son Absalom, even though he knew David wanted him taken alive.  He murdered Amasa, whom David had appointed leader of his forces, and he supported Adonijah in his quest for the throne," my commentary said.

Solomon also had to deal with a former supporter of Saul who had cursed David -- Shimei.  He placed him under house arrest, warning him never to leave Jerusalem, to which Shimei agreed, but three years later he broke the agreement and Solomon ordered him killed.

Solomon's half-brother Adonijah had set his sights on the throne but finally supported Solomon out of fear.  However, he asked Solomon's mother to intercede with Solomon and grant him ownership of the young woman who'd kept David warm during his last years.  What seemed like a harmless request had huge implications, because possession of the former king's concubines amounted to possessing the throne, and Solomon ordered him killed.  My commentary said that his death "was the final payment of the fourfold debt David had incurred" from his statement to Nathan.

Solomon also removed Abiathar as high priest, for he had supported Adonijah.  This fulfilled the prophecy given to Eli that his family would not continue in the priesthood (1 Sam. 2:27-36).

Here's the real take away from the events of this chapter:  "It's important to understand that Solomon wasn't simply acting in revenge in the place of his father David.  Solomon explained that the death of Joab took away the stain of innocent blood that Joab had shed when he killed Abner and Amasa.  The shedding of innocent blood polluted the land (Num. 35:30-34) and the victim's blood cried out to God for vengeance ... Solomon was indeed a man of peace and he achieved that peace by bringing about righteousness in the land."

Father, help me and those I love to obey Your will and never find ourselves out of it.  Remind us of the importance of righteousness and obedience, and help us to obey.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

1 Kings 1 -- David Installs Solomon As His Co-Regent

David's kingship was almost over.  His first through fourth sons were all dead.  "Adonijah was his oldest living son and he felt that he deserved the throne.  After all, his father was a sick man and would soon die ... Adonijah underestimated the stamina and wisdom of the old warrior and ultimately paid for his pride with his life."

Adonijah planned to announce that he'd assumed kingship, and he garnered support from Joab, the army commander, and Abiathar, the high priest, despite the fact that David had already announced that Solomon would become the next king.

The prophet Nathan heard about the coronation party and also discovered that David's closest advisers and Solomon had not been informed or invited.  He enlisted Bathsheba to talk to David and get him to reaffirm the promise regarding Solomon, which she did.  Nathan then entered the room and also informed David about the unofficial coronation party.

Seeing what appeared to be a repeat of Absalom's rebellion forming, David instructed his loyalists to take Solomon to the spring at Gihon and publicly anoint him.  This would set up a co-regency where Solomon would immediately begin to rule as king with his father instead of having to wait for David to die.  The public was thrilled and began a noisy celebration which soon echoed to the building where Adonijah was scheming.  Knowing they were all in trouble, the guests piled out and went home, and adonijah fled to the tent in Jerusalem that was serving as the tabernacle, where he took hold of the horns of the altar -- a symbolic move meant to ensure asylum that would at least delay judgment.  Solomon showed mercy by allowing Adonijah to return home under house arrest, where he could be carefully watched.

Father, Your will cannot be thwarted.  You are God and You win every time.  Help me never to go against Your sovereign will.  Help my sons to honor You and bow to that will as well.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

2 Samuel 24 -- Heartbreaking

It takes combining 1 Chronicles 21 with this chapter to get the full picture of what was going on, according to my commentary.  2 Samuel states that God incited David to number the people, while 1 Chronicles 21 names Satan as the culprit.  Both are true:  God permitted Satan to tempt David in order to accomplish His purposes He had in mind ... This is one of four instances in the Old Testament where Satan is named specifically and seen openly at work."

A census was permitted if the rules laid down in Exodus 30:11-16 were followed, which included a temple tax, but David didn't direct that the tax be collected.  "He wanted a military census to see how big his army was ... Joab's speech in verse 3 suggests that David's command was motivated by pride.  The king wanted to magnify his own achievements rather than glorify the Lord ... The Lord was displeased ... but He permitted  ... the counting ... Sometimes God's greatest judgment is simply to let us have our own way."

"Realizing that he had been foolish in pursuing the project, David confessed his sin and sought the Lord's face ... When he confessed his sin of adultery and murder, David said, 'I have sinned', but when he confessed his sin of numbering the people, he said, 'I have sinned greatly'... David saw the enormity of what he had done."

"David's sin with Bathsheba was a sin of the flesh, a yielding to lust ... but the census was a sin of the spirit, a willful act of rebellion against God ... motivated by pride, and pride is number one on the list of the sins that God hates ... Both Scripture and civil law make a distinction between sudden sins of passion and willful sins of rebellion."

"God in His grace forgives our sins when we confess them, but in His righteous government He allows us to reap the consequences.  In this case, the Lord even gave David the privilege of choosing the consequences ... Knowing the mercy of the Lord, David wisely chose pestilence for his punishment."

"We must note that 24:1 says that God was angry with Israel, and not with David, so He must have been punishing the people for some sin they had committed."

God told David to purchase Ornan's threshing floor for use as an altar.  David insisted on paying for it even though Ornan offered to give it to him.  "David knew the high cost of sinning and he refused to give the Lord something that had cost him nothing ... The land that David purchased was no ordinary piece of property, for it was the place where Abraham had put his son Isaac on the altar and where Solomon would build the Temple."

"David's two greatest sins were his adultery with Bathsheba and the numbering of the people.  But out of those two greatest sins, God build a temple!  Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon and God chose him to succeed David on the throne... Solomon built His temple and dedicated it to the glory of God ... Knowing what God did for David does encourage us to seek His face and trust His grace when we have disobeyed Him.  'But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.'"

Father, thank You for Your provision for my sin -- the death of Your own Son.  My sin is costly, and as I am about to reach a point where I might choose to sin again, remind me of the nails in His hands and feet.  Remind me of what my sin costs You.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

2 Samuel 23 -- David's Last Inspired Written Words From The Lord

David's "last inspired written words from the Lord" are presented in a psalm about leadership in verses 2-7.  They speak of the privileges of leadership along with the responsibilities of leadership, my commentary said.

David said, "The Lord's Spirit spoke through me, and His word was on my tongue.  The God of Israel spoke; and the Rock of Israel said to me:  'Whoever rules fairly over people, who rules with respect for God, is like the morning light at dawn, like a morning without clouds.  He is like sunshine after a rain that makes the grass sprout from the ground.' (A picture of moisture followed by warmth -- what plants need to grow.)  This is how God has cared for my family.  God made a lasting agreement with me, right and sure in every way.  He will accomplish my salvation and satisfy all my desires. (God seemed to tell me here that the desires I have may not be His desires at times, but what He will do in my life will cause me to be satisfied as if my own desires had been fulfilled.)  But all evil people will be thrown away like thorns that cannot be held in a hand.  No one can touch them except with a tool of iron or wood.  They will be thrown in the fire and burned where they lie."

A previous commentary I'd been using had said, "David realized that he did not fit the description, but he took comfort in the fact that God's covenant assured him that the Messiah would be descended from him."

My current commentary noted several things about David's God-given leadership qualities:  "David never ceased to marvel that God would call him to become the king of Israel ... The Lord had given David skillful hands and a heart of integrity, and equipped him to know and do His will ... A.W. Tozer said, 'Never follow any leader until you see the oil on his forehead.' ... Without righteousness and the fear of God, a leader becomes a dictator and abuses God's people, driving them like cattle instead of leading them like sheep.  David was a ruler who served and a servant who ruled."

Father, I know You are transitioning me at this very time.  I'm not sure yet what You will have me doing, but I thank You for this reminder of how You work in my life.  Help me to raise up other leaders, as You have in the past, who will become men after Your own heart like David.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

2 Samuel 22 -- David Looks Back And Praises God For His Faithfulness

"The emphasis in this psalm is on what the Lord in His grace and mercy did for David," my commentary began.

The Lord delivered David -- "David was constantly fighting the strong current of Saul's opposition ... What do you do when you're drowning in a flood of opposition ?  You call on the Lord and trust Him for the help you need."

The Lord rewarded David -- "In the school of life, God promotes those who in times of difficulty learn the lessons of faith and patience, and David had learned his lessons well."

The Lord enabled David -- "by enlightening him, empowering him, and enlarging him."

The Lord established David -- "by enthroning him, exalting him, and electing him."

"David saw God in the affairs of life, both the happy occasions and the storms that came.  He saw God's purpose in his life and in the nation of Israel and rejoiced to be part of it.  But most exciting of all, in spite of the troubles David had experienced, he still saw the gentle hand of God molding his life and accomplishing His purposes.  The enlarged troubles enlarged David and prepared him to take enlarged steps in the enlarged plans God had prepared for him.  That can be our experience as well."

Father, You've stood by me in the storms of the last several years.  You haven't left me.  You've enlarged my faith as a result.  Keep doing so, Father, as I watch to see what You would have me do next.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

2 Samuel 21 -- Beginning A Sad Ending For This Book

My commentary said, "The book closes with a record of two nation calamities -- a drought caused by King Saul's sin and a plague caused by King David's sin."  This chapter dealt with Saul's sin.

The Gibeonites had tricked the Israelites during Joshua's time, pretending to have traveled a great distance to sue for peace.  They settled in Benjamin near where Saul's family had land.  There is no record of the battle between Saul and members of the Gibeonites, but some thirty or so years prior to David's time Saul had ordered an ethnic cleansing to have them removed, according to my commentary.  Now, thirty years later, God was ready to have the nation pay for Saul's sin -- He caused a three-year drought.

David inquired of God and God answered with the Gibeonite story.  Money wouldn't cover Saul's sin.  It would take blood.  David finally agreed to the request of the Gibeonite people to have seven male descendants of Saul killed.  But David didn't offer Mephibosheth since he'd pledged Jonathan that he'd care for his sons with an oath to God.  

"The deaths of the seven men was not atonement but legal retribution," my commentary explained.

From April to October, the bodies of the seven men hung on public display until God broke the drought, blessing the Israelites with rain.  During that time, one of Jonathan's relatives, Rizpah, stayed on constant vigil over the bodies to keep wild animals and birds from defiling the bodies -- "an act of love and courage," my commentary said.

Father, please protect my family from making mistakes that would take this long to correct or overcome.  Help us to have hearts like Yours.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

2 Samuel 20 -- More Conflicts

My commentary said David was having to deal with four different conflicts after Absalom's rebellion had been crushed.

Starting in chapter 19, we'd seen tribal conflict between Judah and the northern tribes, which had felt left out of the homecoming ceremony for David.  It continued in chapter 20 when Sheba, from Saul's tribe of Benjamin, "dismissed the army and citizens who came from the northern tribes and told them not to follow David any longer," my commentary said.

Wrapped up inside this rebellion was personal conflict.  David had granted a general amnesty after Absalom was killed and his rebellion put down.  He had appointed Amasa to lead his army, taking Joab's place, because Joab had defied David's orders and killed Absalom.  Amasa was also David's cousin.  When Sheba began to rebel, David ordered Amasa to take the army and stop him, but Amasa took more than three days to gather the army and start, so David commanded Abishai to take over.  Abishai took David's elite soldiers and headed north, meeting Amasa with the army he was raising at a point six miles north of Jerusalem.  Amasa was headed south to report to David.  Joab stepped in and pretended to drop his sword as he was greeting Amasa, but instead stabbed him to death.  Joab and Abishai then continued to chase Sheba to a walled city where the citizens agreed to behead Sheba rather than have their fellow countrymen attack their city.  "Joab had taken back his old position and wouldn't let it go.  Once again, David had to give in to Joab's power tactics," my commentary noted.

Father, Your church now represents Your kingdom, and there should be no place for such battles and conflicts between its members.  I pray that You will remove the causes of conflict gently and give us back the unity we once had.  Heal our church, Father.  Help me to be part of the solution and never part of the problem.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

2 Samuel 19 -- It Was Time For David To Rule Again

With Absalom dead, it was time for David to return to Jerusalem again to rule.  The nation wondered what would become of those who'd supported Absalom in his rebellion.  My commentary highlighted five steps David took to bring about the healing of the nation.

He focused his perspective:  "Leaders must still lead, even if their hearts are broken; that's one of the prices that leaders must pay ... David the father forgot that he was also David the king ... until Joab's short but cutting speech ... and David took his place at the gate -- where his men came to him and where he acknowledged their brave service."

He began to strive for unity:  "He first started with the leaders of Judah, who agreed to cross the Jordan and bring him back into the country.  He then replaced Joab with Amasa as the general of his army.  Amasa had led Absalom's army, so everyone understood that David was doing something unique.

He declared a general amnesty:  "Those who'd fought against him no longer had to fear reprisal.  They were being accepted back into the good graces of the king and the rift between the tribes could heal.

He corrected an error:  "Mephibosheth, Jonathan's crippled son, came out to greet him and told him that his servant Ziba had lied -- Mephibosheth had never worked against David.  So David returned half of his land back to him.

He rewarded the faithful:  "Barzillai was a rich man who'd been faithful to David in Mahanaim while David was running away from Absalom.  David wanted to bring him back to the palace to care for him in his old age.  But Barzillai simply wanted to live out his life at home.  But he did ask David to let his son take his place, which David readily agreed to do.

My commentary made an important point:  "The one thing that's missing in the entire Absalom episode is David's seeking the mind of the Lord as he made decisions ... apart from his prayer in 15:31, we don't find David requesting guidance ... when it came to dealing with his sons, David needed all the help he could get, but perhaps he wouldn't admit it.  It's never too late for God to work."

Father, help me to succeed where David failed.  I do come to You regularly, interceding for my sons.  Change their hearts and lives, Father.  bring them back to You and lead them to become men after Your own heart!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

2 Samuel 18 -- As Much About David As About Absalom

Absalom and his army came after David.  Joab and others counseled David not to go to war himself, but to remain in the city, which he agreed to do.  The forest in which they fought was so dense that accidents claimed more lives than the actual fighting did!  Absalom's donkey walked under an oak tree, catching Absalom's neck in the fork of two branches while the donkey continued on its way.  Some of David's soldiers saw him hanging thee alive and unable to rescue himself, but they dared not touch him, fearful of David's reaction if he died while they tried to free him.  Hearing the news, Joab took matters into his own hands, stabbing Absalom with a lance or spear.  Then ten other soldiers finished the job and threw Absalom's body into a deep pit, covering it with stones.

David had instructed his men to go easy on Absalom, despite everything Absalom had done to his brother and his father.  "If David had one fault, it was pampering his sons.  But before we criticize David, we must remember that he was a man after God's own heart.  Let's be thankful that our Father in heaven hasn't dealt with us according to our sins.  In His grace, He gives us what we don't deserve, and in His mercy, He doesn't give us what we do deserve," my commentary said.

"It was a bittersweet victory for David.  When the enemy is your own son, there can be no triumph and no celebration."

"In one sense, David pronounced his own sentence when he said to Nathan, 'And he shall restore the lamb fourfold,' for this was the final payment of David's great debt.  The baby had died, Tamar was raped, Amnon was slain, and now Absalom was dead.  David tasted once again the pain of forgiven sin," my commentary added.

"David's tears reveal the broken heart of a loving father.  Speaking of David's sorrow, Charles Spurgeon said, 'It would be wise to sympathize as far as we can, than to sit in judgment upon a case which has never been our own.'"

Father, I've felt some of David's pain.  I've hurt for my sons and prayed for them, asking that You make them into men after Your own heart.  Please let them know then pain I've felt, like David, and also the great love You've given me for them.  Help them to want to return that love by living for You.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

2 Samuel 17 -- Prayers Answered

My commentary's title for this chapter is "David's Prayer Was Answered".  It's easy to see why:

David had asked Hushai to remain in Jerusalem to thwart the advice of Ahithophel.  He'd also prayed that God would turn Ahithophel's advice into foolishness.  Absalom first listened to Ahithophel's plan, which "put himself front and center ... because Ahithophel wanted to personally supervise the murder of his enemy King David.  His plan was a good one," my commentary noted.  "Hushai took an entirely different approach and focused on the ego of the young king ... Hushai laid an effective verbal trap, and Absalom fell into it... Hushai was interested in buying time for David so he could get lost."

In Psalm 33:10-11, we read, "The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.  The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations."  That's exactly what God did here.

David's spy system worked:  "Hushai gave the message to the two priests and told them to tell David to cross over the Jordan as quickly as possible ... Zadok and Abiathar told a maidservant; she took the message to Jonathan and Ahimaaz who immediately ran ... A wife in Bahurim hid the two runners in a cistern and covered the opening with a cloth ... and the young men were saved."  They got the message to David in time.

Ahithophel took his own life:  "He knew Hushai's counsel would bring about Absalom's defeat, and Ahithophel was serving the wrong king.  As a traitor against King David, he would either be slain or banished forever ..."  He hanged himself.

Friends cared for David:  "God often uses human angels to help His servants," my commentary said.  Three me "brought provisions for the king and his people and saw to it that they were adequately cared for.  God prepared a table for David as His enemies were approaching..." as David described in the 23rd Psalm!

Father, thank You for Your provision for me during tough times -- for friends who provide prayer and emotional support.  Thank You for stepping in at just the right time when I need You most!  I trust You and depend on You every day.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

2 Samuel 16 -- How David Reacted When Things Went South

As David was racing out of Jerusalem to prevent shedding of innocent blood when Absalom usurped the throne, God was right in the middle of everything going on.  The man David had assigned to take care of Jonathan's crippled son provided donkeys and food for the journey, but he lied about his motive for doing so.  David made a snap decision to accept the gifts and reward the giver based on limited, false information, and that decision would cost him later.

Traveling through Saul's family's territory, David was accused and attacked by Shimei, but he refused to defend himself or allow others to do so.  "David was exhausted and discouraged, and yet he never rose to greater heights than when he allowed Shimei to go on attacking him ... David didn't retaliate ... David's attitude was one of submission because he accepted Shimei's abuse as from the hand of God.  David had already announced that he would accept anything the Lord sent to him, and now he proved it.  When David considered that he was an adulterer and a murderer who deserved to die, yet God let him live, why should he complain about some stones and dirt?" my commentary said.  "David had faith that God would one day balance the books and take care of people like Absalom and Shimei."

Having taken over the palace, Absalom had to let the people know that he was now the king and that there was no turning back.  He chose to do something so despicable that his father would abhor him -- something that would "break down every possible bridge for reconciliation."  His counselor, Ahithophel (once David's counselor and also Bathsheba's grandfather told him to have sex in public on the roof of the palace with David's servant girls who'd been left to take care of the palace.  "Ahithophel didn't seek the mind of the Lord nor did he want the will of the Lord.  His primary goal was to avenge himself against David for the sin he had committed against his granddaughter Bathsheba and her husband, Urriah the Hittite."

Father, when things get tough and uncertain, help me to trust You in everything I do.  Never let me use vengeance as a motive for anything I do.  Instead, please guide me to seek Your will for my life.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

2 Samuel 14-15 -- Sometimes Distance Is Better

Joab thought he was doing David a favor by enabling Absalom, David's banished son, to return to Jerusalem.  He engineered a situation where a woman told David a story that would help David reconcile with Absalom.

David allowed his return, but basically kept him under house arrest for two years.  Even Joab distanced himself from Absalom -- until Absalom got his attention by burning Joab's ready-to-harvest barley field.

David finally reconciled with his son, but before long, Absalom looked like a Washington politician, electioneering and grandstanding, and the people loved their handsome crown prince.  The only problem was that God hadn't been consulted.

Absalom began a revolt that led to the darkest hour in David's life.  He had to flee Jerusalem with his family.  "It's quite something else when you're watching people tear your world apart.  God was chastening David, but David knew that God's power could help him in the hour of pain as well as in the hour of conquest," my commentary said.  "David recognized that God's loving hand of discipline was upon him, and he admitted that he deserved every blow.  But he also believed that God's gracious hand of power was still at work in his life, that the Lord hadn't forsaken him as He forsook Saul.  The Lord was still working out his perfect will...."

David left Jerusalem when Absalom's rebellion began.  He didn't want innocent people to die.  He was able to plant spies in Absalom's court to keep him informed.  "You can't help but see David's trust in God and his conviction that no matter how disordered and disturbed everything was, the Lord was still on His throne.  No matter how David felt, he knew that the Lord would always keep His covenant and fulfill His promises."

Father, that's how things have felt here for quite awhile, but I trust You.  Reign in my life.  Keep Your promises.  Be God to me and to my family.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

2 Samuel 13 -- David's Sins Come Home To Roost

David's firstborn son, Amnon, was the apparent legal heir to the throne, but he had a problem.  "Perhaps he felt he had privileges that the other sons didn't have," my commentary said.  "He nurtured an abnormal love for his half sister and he should have stopped feeding that appetite the moment it started ... Amnon's imagination worked overtime as he thought about her," my commentary said.  His cousin Jonadab stoked his illicit feelings as well.  "Anybody in our lives who makes it easy for us to sin is certainly not much of a friend," my commentary added.

Amnon schemed with his cousin to get Tamar alone with him.  "Perhaps Amnon was thinking, 'If my father committed adultery and murder and got away with it, surely I can get away with rape.'"  Amnon arranged to be alone with Tamar and forcibly raped her.  "What he thought was love was really only lust, a passion that so controlled him that he became like an animal... After he committed the shameful act, he hated Tamar vehemently and wanted to get rid of her! ... In his sensual cravings, Amnon confused lust wit love and didn't realize that there is a fine line between selfish love, lust, and hatred ... After he sinned, he couldn't get rid of her fast enough."

Tamar told her brother Absalom about the rape, but Absalom told her to wait for him to act.  He wanted to scheme to avenge his sister, murder his older brother, and set himself up as as heir to the throne; he waited two years but finally got his wish.  Absalom then had to go into exile with his mother's parents outside of Israel until David cooled down.  "It was five years before father and son saw each other face-to-face."

Father, please give me wisdom and strength to guide my sons and help them to become men after Your own heart.  I don't want to make the mistakes that David did.  Help me finish raising them, Father.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford