Note the author’s focus on relationships in these last few chapters. David’s sin is in his relationships with Bathsheba and with his children And therefore, his consequences are relational.
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- In the 2 Samuel 15:
- Joab interfered in David’s relationships by bringing back Absalom
- Absalom rebelled first against Joab and then against David
- The Kerethites, Pelethites and Gittites all foreigners are loyal to David
- Zadok the priest is loyal
- Ahithophel is not loyal
- Hushai is loyal.
- In the 2 Samuel 15:
With every step in his exodus from Jerusalem, David is confronted by people who have chosen to be for or against him. It must have been an emotional roller coaster for a man with such a tender heart.
David is still on the rollercoaster in this 2 Samuel 16, his emotional exodus from Jerusalem. He is still at risk of being caught and killed by his son, Absalom. With every step on the journey and with every person he meets, David is forced to face the fact that this is war. And in a war of kings, only the winner gets to live.
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One Takeaway
Our sin affects others. When we count the cost of our consequences. We must count the cost to others. In other words, think twice before you sin because the consequences have twice the cost.
Psalm 3 is titled “A psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.” Listen to verse 2 and 3 and picture David climbing the Mount of Olives. Then picture our savior and how David’s words accurately reflect what he, too may have been experiencing in the exact same location:
Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”[b]
3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
7 Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.
8 From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
David knew what Jesus knew, what we must come to believe…from the Lord comes deliverance.
Scene 1: Ziba is Loyal to David
Scene 2: Shimei Curses David
In Scene 3: Back to Absalom and Jerusalem
Scene 4: Ahithophel Versus Hushai
Scene 5: Hushai Warns David
In Scene 6: David Finds Friends in the Transjordan
Scene 7: David Battles On
Verses Mentioned:
The author of this article is Hayley Mowatt, producer of Bible Book Club.
