READERS COMPANION GUIDE BY ROBERTS

17 - By chapter 17 we are wondering if David has a chance against Absalom’s rebellion. Ahithophel’s counsel is smart: David is no position to defend himself. He is on the run and without the support of the main army (verse 2). If David dies, all opposition to Absalom will collapse (verse 3). Hushai frustrates this good advice in verses 7-13. Notice the appeal to Absalom’s ego in verse 11: “be gathered to you.” Don’t let Ahithohphel go now and get all the glory, Absalom! You lead us in battle and you will be the glorious victor! The fatal flaw in Hushai’s plan is that it gave David time to organize and plan. Verse 16 may confuse the reader because we know Absalom will not pursue David at night, but Hushai obviously didn’t know who’s counsel would be listened to at the time he had to send the messengers to David. His only choice was to tell David to cross the Jordan at once (verse 21). Ahithiophel clearly knows that time is on David’s side and the rebellion is doomed, so he goes home and kills himself (verse 23). The next chapter will reveal that he was right.

� Reading 3 - 2 Sam 18-20

18 - Today’s reading ends Absalom’s rebellion and its aftermath. If we were in doubt about the rebel-lion’s outcome that ended with Hushai frustrating Ahithophel’s counsel (17:14), giving David time to collect his troops, plan and resupply. 2 Samuel 18 shows David’s veteran troops totally overmatch Absalom’s rebels (verse 7), and many, many men die. David’s concern for Absalom has been carefully spelled out (verse 5) but Joab knows how to end a rebellion: cut off the head of the monster. So he does (verse 14). Verse 18 gives one final illustration of Absalom’s arrogance. His only real monument is an anonymous grave deep in the forests of Ephraim. Joab is reluctant to let just anyone carry this news (verses 19-23). Perhaps he feared for the messenger’s life! David’s irrational mourning (verse 33) may substantiate that such concerns were not entirely misguided. David’s pain is recorded so that we will appreciate that the punishment of 12:10 was very, very real.

19 - Chapter 19 finds David mourning with misguided grief, and demoralizing his people (verses 1-4). Joab rebukes David, the only time it is recorded he ever did such (verses 5-8) but he is right. How can David grieve over the death of a rebel and not worry about his people? Even as things “get back to normal” we start seeing the markers of future trouble. Verses 9-15 find bickering between Judah and Israel, as the seeds for a split are sown that will be harvested in forty years. Why does David replace his general, Joab, with the leader of the rebel forces, Amasa (verse 13)? Verse 14 provides the answer: it was done for political reasons. We wonder if David is being generous to Shimei (verses 16-23) or is it just the one who suggested Shimei die that David didn’t want to gratify. The reader will have to decide. Likewise, we don’t know if Mephibosheth really did try and profit from Absalom’s rebellion or whether he was slandered by Ziba (verses 24-30). David seems to want no part of such arguments. The chapter ends with a worthless man

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finding a reason to complain and start another rebellion (verses 40-43). The times of trouble Nathan told of have certainly come to pass!

20 - Chapter 20 shows the division that will later become permanent in the nation (verse 2). Amasa is less than a capable leader and Joab finally murders him and takes over (verses 4-12). Joab apparently dropped his sword so that Amasa felt safe (verse 8) but then produced another (perhaps it was hidden) and killed him (verse 10). To murder someone while looking them in the eye shows what a tough and cruel man Joab could be. He was, however, fiercely loyal to, and protective of, David. Sheba’s rebellion seems to have been a relatively small matter, and ended with common sense on the part of a wise woman (verse 22).

Psalms 3

This lament psalm is the first psalm in the collection of psalms ascribed to David (psalms 3-41). It is also the first time we read the term “selah,” probably a musical notation perhaps meaning pause. The heading tells us this psalm was composed in a terrible time: the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15). David is sorting through turncoats and treachery as many joined with Absalom, and there is even talk that God has abandoned him (verse 2). In it all, David vows to trust God (verse 3-4), and to keep trusting in God (verses 7-8). The beautiful imagery of God being “the lifter of my head” (verse 3) comes from the idea of being how when we get depressed and despondent our heads get down. God lifts David’s head up! The psalm ends by moving past David’s concerns to all the people (verse 8).

Paul knows some of his readers will excuse themselves from the indictment of chapter 1. “I haven’t done all of those things, I’m not like that!” they will protest. Paul replies that saying “I am not as bad as others so I must be alright” won’t work. All are sinners (verses 1-10). Verse 12 doesn’t mean Gentiles had no law whatsoever, but not the written codified law like the Jew had. Verse 14’s idea is that Gentiles didn’t know enough to write a Bible but they knew enough to keep from doing evil. Everyone knows something of right and wrong (verse 15). In verse 17 Paul begins an attack on the Jews. They are not as perfect as they claim. In the judgment God won’t ask “Did you have the law?” but “Did you do it?” The advantage of circumcision was that it put one in the middle of the law and the people who had the law. But if you don’t honor the law and obey it then the advantage is lost (verse 25).