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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
2 Sam. 13-14
I don’t understand David’s responses to his children. When his firstborn son disgraced Tamar, who was evidently David’s daughter, David got furious but, as far as I can tell, did nothing. Then, when Absalom took his revenge and killed his brother because of what he did to his sister, David did nothing. Absalom fled, David grieved for his dead son, and then David began longing for Absalom. Yet when Joab, through a very strange process, convinced David to let Absalom return to Jerusalem, David would not even let him in his presence. I just don’t get it.
I believe that everything in the Bible is there for a reason. However, I don’t always understand what that reason is. Such is the case here. Obviously, we can see that David was not a perfect man. Nor was his family perfect. We can also see that sin, even when forgiven, has consequences, not just for ourselves but for our families and others as well. Sin has a way of setting off a chain reaction that never leads to anywhere good. Beyond that, I just don’t know. Maybe David’s relentless love for his wayward sons gives us a hint of Jesus’ love for us, even while we are still His enemies. Again, I just don’t know.
2 Sam. 15
We can learn something about the Christian life from Ittai of Gath. In fact, I believe that’s exactly why his brief story is included in the Bible. Ittai was not an Israelite, yet he was faithful to King David, even during his brief overthrow. His response to David actually reminds me of Ruth’s response to Naomi. Both show that foreigners have always been part of God’s plan and both demonstrate the attitude of faithful commitment that leads us to God’s salvation.
David’s struggle was not Ittai’s. Ittai could have simply continued to live his life with the new king and stayed out of trouble. Instead, he chose to follow the true king, saying, “As the LORD lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means life or death, your servant will be there!” (2 Sam. 15:21). That is the commitment we make when we choose to follow Jesus in His suffering so that He can lead us to true life.
Ps. 86
In this Psalm, David asked for God’s grace and joy. I couldn’t help but notice the reason David gave for God to give it. That reason was because David appealed to God. To me, that is David’s statement of trust in God’s character. God gives us good things because God is good. So when we appeal to God for His goodness because of His goodness, we are surrendering ourselves to His sovereignty and acknowledging our reliance on Him.
Ps. 122
Jerusalem is something of a metaphor for Christ’s Church – the entire body of believers. I see that in this Psalm. “Jerusalem, built as a city should be, solidly united” (Ps. 122:3). We see this idea of unity in the Church throughout the New Testament. We also learn that we are to pray for each other, be at peace with each other, and help each other to prosper. All because we are brothers and friends in the house of the LORD our God.