2 Samuel 13

2 Samuel 13

Wiersbe points out that "The problem with revenge is that it doesn't really solve any problems and eventually turns around and hurts the perpetrator. "In taking revenge," wrote Francis Bacon, "a man is but even with his enemy, but in passing it over, he is superior." No one was treated more unjustly and inhumanely than Jesus Christ at His trial and crucifixion, yet He refused to retaliate; and He is our example (1 Peter 2:18-25). The old slogan "Don't get mad-get even" may satisfy some people, but it can never be pleasing to the Lord. The Christian way is the way of forgiveness and faith, trusting the Lord to work everything out for our good and His glory (1 Peter 4:12-19)." (Borrow Be Restored) Lesson - Resolve your conflicts. Don’t let it stew. Make peace. Eph 4:26-27KJV Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." Love doesn’t keep track of wrongs, but works towards forgiveness. (1Co 13:5NLT)says "love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged." Easton's Bible Dictionary note on mules - (Heb. pered), so called from the quick step of the animal or its power of carrying loads. It is not probable that the Hebrews bred mules, as this was strictly forbidden in the law (Lev. 19:19), although their use was not forbidden. We find them in common use even by kings and nobles (2 Sam. 18:9; 1 Kings 1:33; 2 Kings 5:17; Ps. 32:9). They are not mentioned, however, till the time of David, for the word rendered "mules" (R.V. correctly, "hot springs") in Gen. 36:24 (yemim) properly denotes the warm springs of Callirhoe, on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. In David's reign they became very common (2 Sam. 13:29; 1 Kings 10:25). Mules are not mentioned in the New Testament. Perhaps they had by that time ceased to be used in Palestine. David had a favourite mule (1Ki 1:33), and Solomon received mules as tribute (1Ki 10:25). Horses seem to have been used chiefly for chariots. Mule occurs in 13v in the OT - 2 Sam. 13:29; 2 Sam. 18:9; 1 Ki. 10:25; 1 Ki. 18:5; 2 Ki. 5:17; 1 Chr. 12:40; 2 Chr. 9:24; Ezr. 2:66; Neh. 7:68; Ps. 32:9; Isa. 66:20; Ezek. 27:14; Zech. 14:15 2 Samuel 13:30 Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, "Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not one of them is left." 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FAKE NEWS EVEN IN THE OLD TESTAMENT! Now - Marks a shift in the scene from Baal-hazor to Jerusalem. It was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, "Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not one of them is left." - Some men (presumably servants) saw Amnon's murder and fled immediately beating David's sons back to Jerusalem and assuming that all had been killed which they falsely reported to David. Fake news is not just a 21st phenomenon! Wiersbe quipped that "Bad news travels fast and often is exaggerated." What is fascinating is that David did not say "No way," indicating he had an inkling that Absalom was capable of such gross iniquity! So he reacts with mourning rather than disbelief! 2 Samuel 13:31 Then the king arose, tore his clothes and lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn. arose: 2Sa 12:16 Ge 37:29,34 Jos 7:6 Job 1:20 all his servants: 2Sa 1:11 2Sa 3:31 2 Samuel 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID MOURNS FOR HIS SONS Then the king arose, tore his clothes and lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn - Note David's reaction was not "Such a thing is not possible, for I know my son Absalom and he would never do anything like that." He does not express disbelief but distress and clearly feels Absalom was capable of such a dastardly deed. Tearing clothes and lying prostrate were signs of mourning. David had a similar reaction to news of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan (2Sa 1:11) and later for Abner when he was murdered by Joab (2Sa 3:31). The next time sin looks attractive to you...remember David’s trials. F B