Skip to main content

March 31 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 90

David's family situation continues to spiral.  In today's reading, David's family is torn apart by rape.  As a consequence, David's son sets his eyes on his father's throne.

Image result for amnon rapes tamar

DAILY READINGS

2 Samuel 13-15 & Psalm 90

DAILY NOTES

1 Samuel 13:1-14

  • Amnon was David's first born son (3:2).  That may shed light as to why David seems to deal with him so easily (Verse 21).  Although he does kind of the same thing later with Absalom.
  • Tamar is Absalom's full sister, half sister to Amnon.  Amnon is lovesick with her.  He devises a plan, with the help of a friend, to have her enter his chamber (bedroom).  
    • Since she was a virgin, she didn't go out and about.  She remained in her house, perhaps protected.  
  • Tamar knows what will become of her if Amnon goes through with his wishes; she will be left aside, unable to marry (see Verse 20).  She seems willing to have become married to Amnon, but his lust clouds his judgement.  
    • Then, because he's so upset about what happens, he forces her out, too (See Verse 15).
1 Samuel 13: 23-39
  • Absalom avenges the rape of his sister.  He plots to kill Amnon.  He is successful.  Even though he himself did not commit the act, it was done by his order.  So, he is responsible. 
  • Ironically, Jonadab, consoles David after Amnon's death.  He was a part of this since the beginning-he's the friend that gave Amnon the plan to see Tamar.
  • David seems to quickly get over Amnon's death.  why do you think that is?
    • But he "mourned for his son (Absolam) day after day."
1 Samuel 14
  • Remember how Nathan trapped David with a story?  The wise woman does the same thing to him.
    • "Wise woman" seems to be more than a personal characteristic.  Look ahead to 20:16; the term is used again.  
  • The story works and David calls for Absalom to return to Jerusalem.  He does not allow his son to come into his presence, however.  
  • After two years, Absalom cannot take the silent treatment any more.  He orchestrates a meeting with his father.  David offers him a kiss, a sign of forgiveness.
1 Samuel 15
  • Absalom garners the attention of the people and steals their hearts.  One notes suggests that Absalom deceives the people; the same phrase is translated that way in Genesis 31:20.
  • Absalom uses his growing influence to mount a rebellion against his father.  Since people are willingly following Absalom, there is a sort of civil war brewing.
  • He goes to Hebron, his birthplace, as his home base.
  • David flees Jerusalem.  He is worried that Absalom will come to kill him and ravage the great city.  David is able to coordinate spies within Absalom's court.
Psalm 90
  • Our lives come and go so quickly.  We stand with our finite living and understanding alongside the God that is from everlasting to everlasting.  

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

I was considering why we knew about Absalom's beauty and gorgeous hair.  It seemed strange to highlight those features about him.  After all, he is going to try to take the throne away from David.  But as you keep reading, you see how these traits play out in the rest of the story.  

Was Absalom so wise in his judgments? Or was easy to win over the people with his good looks?  That shouldn't be such a far-fetched notion for us who live in a culture that is enamored by our athletes and celebrities.  Those people are often given accommodations that the regular people like us should not anticipate (and I don't mean just things like getting nice tables in restaurants).  

Maybe it was Absalom's good looks that paved the way for him to begin a rebellion against David.  Does that sound vain?  Yes, but look at Absalom's pretense for rising to power.

And what about those gorgeous locks?  Well, we'll see how that comes to play soon....very soon.

Stay blessed...joh

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 24 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 83 The relationship between Saul and David worsens.  David is now Saul's enemy.   DAILY READINGS 1 Samuel 18-20 & Psalm 83 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 18 Saul's delight for David quickly turns.  Saul is jealous of David's success and the fact that everyone else seems to like David more than him. Of course, we have to think about what this evil spirit from the Lord might mean. Saul tries to kill David.  He even devises a plan to have him married into the royal family so that he can create a snare for him. What does it say about David that, even after Saul has tried to kill him, he still finds it an honor to be married to the family? David escapes Saul's traps.  So, from here on out, the text says that Saul considered David an enemy.  Think he knows what it means to love your enemies? 1 Samuel 19 Verse 5 reminds us of David's fight with Goliath.  At this point, David has fought other times.  What makes that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

May 23 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 143 DAILY READINGS Job 12-15 & Psalm 138 DAILY NOTES Job 12 Surely, Job says, his friends don't think they're the only ones with wisdom?  Plus, they are telling him anything that isn't known by all.   Maybe they aren't as smart as they think they are? God holds true wisdom.  "With God are wisdom and strength" (vs. 13). Job 13 Job's friends have taken it upon themselves to speak on behalf of God.  Job considers their representation to be false because they have not considered Job's condition. Job 14 Job's prayer to God continues. We see a bit of the book's larger vision in these verses.  Job recognizes, and wants God to remember, that all humanity shares the same days of life.   Job 15 Eliphaz considers that Job's questioning hinders God and would keep others from knowing God. Psalm 138 The praise of the psalmist is a communal act.   God has been faithful and the psalmist wants to thank God...
Post a Comment
Read more

March 2 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 61 I didn't include any daily notes today.  While they may seem strange, most of the laws we're reading about today are pretty straightforward.   Today's Bible Project video gives a final look at what the book of Deuteronomy is about.   DAILY READINGS Deuteronomy 24-27 & Psalm 61 OTHER OBSERVATIONS Within many of the commands of God given to the Israelites is the notion to remember.  Remember you were slaves to Egypt.  Remember what happened to Miriam.  Remember. The point is to remember what God has done and that the Israelites are now God's own people.  You can almost hear someone ask, "Why do we have to do [fill in the blank]?"  Because we are God's!  Remember it was the Lord who delivered us.  So, this is his way to be holy. Even the psalmist (in Psalm 61) picks up on this.  In speaking of God's protection, he says that God has given him the "heritage of those who fear your name."  ...
Post a Comment
Read more