8. TROUBLED KINGSHIP (2 Samuel 13:1 to 20:26)

Rape in David's family, and the murder that followed is part of the judgment God promised would come as a result of his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:11 ). Having forced Tamar, Amnon's lust turned to hate (2 Samuel 13:15 ) proving that he had not had any real love for her in the first place. A marriage relationship with a half-sister was forbidden by law (Leviticus 18:11 ).

Wrong friendships can entice to wrong doing. It was so in the matter of Amnon's relationship with Jonadab the king's nephew, who suggested the terrible crime.

Tamar's grief and shame aroused in Absalom her brother, vengeful anger that he had nursed for two years - finally murdering Amnon at the annual sheepshearing feast. The inevitable could only have been averted by genuine forgiveness.

It is sad that the royal father gave his blessing to that fateful feasting of the brothers. He showed no insight, nor had discernment of his childrens' hearts. David failed in ruling his house. Angry with Amnon for his incest, yet he did not punish him according to God's law (Leviticus 20:17 ). Absalom also was not punished - he fled and was not pursued, but rather longed after (2 Samuel 13:37 ). What tragedy follows parental weakness.

There was probably some self-interest in Joab seeking to reunite Absalom with his father after a three year separation. It could be that Joab expected that the confidence in David would be shaken should Absalom be recalled without any punishment for his crime. Nothing was done to cure that Self-will. Failure in discipline will bring its day of reckoning. David had brought home to him that God had forgiven him in what he did to Uriah - now he would do the same for his son that he longed for.

The subtle plan succeeded. The woman from Tekoa persuaded David. Handsome - bold - well liked Absalom was to imperil his father's throne. Permitted to return but Absalom was not permitted to see his father's face (2 Samuel 14:24 ). It took two years before David kissed him (2 Samuel 14:33 ). A forgiveness that cannot embrace the forgiven is not forgiveness at all. Resentment had grown in Absalom's heart - it was to break out in rebellion. Forgive as God in Christ has forgiven you, or face the hurt both to yourself and the unforgiven.

Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

Resentment against his father properly settled in Absalom's heart when his father did nothing about Amnon's crime, and developed more as he fled as a murderer of his brother. It was during this time that the first seeds of open resentment begin to germinate.

James 1:14,15 "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. ¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

Rebellion had become full-grown during the two years waiting for acceptance. Immediately upon seeing the king his plan began to be implemented (2 Samuel 15:1-6 ).

	by royal display and visibility (2 Samuel 15:1-2 ).
	by flattery and pretence at giving justice (2 Samuel 15:3-4 ).
	by campaigning and stealing affection (2 Samuel 15:5-6 ).
	by relocating and deception of the king (2 Samuel 15:7-9 ).

"Forty years probably a copyist error and should read 'four years' with the LXX, Syriac, and writings of Josephus (Antiq 7:9.1). The period probably began with Absalom's return from Geshur." Ryrie

	by arranging a false proclamation (2 Samuel 15:10 ).
	by taking men and not revealing his plot (2 Samuel 15:11 ).
	by counsel from a possible instigator (2 Samuel 15:12 ).

Roots of bitter resentment grow the cancer of rebellion.

David is fleeing again (2 Samuel 15:13-15 ), but what tragedy, this time it is from his son - the bitter consequences of sin were being reaped. Estrangement from his son, and failure as a father to correct and forgive, helped to make Absalom implacable. Make the valiant vow of Ittai, to be true to the Greater than David in life or death (2 Samuel 15:19:22 ). Adversity tests our loyalty and commitment to Christ.

Zadok and Abiathar obeyed the king and remained at their posts so that they could send news to help the king (2 Samuel 15:27-29 ). David put his future in God's hands. Such was David's confidence in them he could trust them with his immediate plans. What a blessing faithful brethren are. David, aware of his reaping what he had sown humbled himself under God's hand (2 Samuel 15:30 ). Living with head covered indicated self-condemnation, walking barefoot symbolised his mourning (Isaiah 20:2,4; Ezekiel 24:17 ).

"Since Hushai was a trusted member of David's court ... his appearance was the beginning of an answer to David's prayer." N.I.V. Study Bible (2 Samuel 15:32-37 ).

Defection by Ahithophel was counterbalanced by the loyalty of Hushai. David planned that his loyal friend remain in Jerusalem and act on his behalf and be an informant. God can place loyal friends where we need them most. But the Bible gives no approval to the deception advised or practiced.

Sad that David gave his ear to slanderous accusations about an absent friend (2 Samuel 16:1-4 ). Later he discovered he had been deceived (2 Samuel 19:24-30 ), and had to reverse his judgment. How careful we should be not to hastily misjudge our friends - acting on mere appearance and the word of one self-interested person.

Shimei gave great insult to David (2 Samuel 16:5-14 ). With incredible patience he endured the cursing, believing that God would vindicate him. Certainly later, Shimei was paid back in his own coin. Each one responds to adversity in a way that reveals character. Psalms revealing David's heart in this period are 3, 5, 26, 28, 62.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. To what do you relate the trouble that came to David's house? ( 2 Samuel 13:1-9 ).
2. Was David's relationship with his children admirable?
3. What destructive effects follow unrestrained lust? (2 Samuel 13:15 ).
4. Should we teach our children how to choose their friends with care? (2 Samuel 13:3 ).
5. What could be the consequences of feeding vengeful anger? (2 Samuel 13:2-26 ). How can such a heart condition be averted?
6. What did David fail to do as a father, that may have prevented the murder?
7. Do you think Joab had a self interest in attempting to re-unite Absalom with his father? (2 Samuel 14:1-3 ).
8. Why did Joab's subtle plan succeed? (2 Samuel 14:4-23 ).
9. Can a forgiveness that refuses to see the one who forgiven, be true forgiveness? (2 Samuel 14:24 ).
10. What are the seeds of rebellion? (2 Samuel 15:1-12; James 1:14,15 ).
11. How did Absalom implement his plan of rebellion? (2 Samuel 14:1-12 ).
12. What were the thoughts of David fleeing again? (2 Samuel 15:13-15 ). Can you reconcile the verses of Psalm 3 to the happenings of 2 Samuel 15:13-17?
13. Who were the men left behind so as to help the king? (2 Samuel 15:27-29 ). Would your friendship prove loyal under adversity?
14. What was the special commission of Hushai? (2 Samuel 15:32-37 ). Do you have true friends whom you can trust with your life?
15. Should we be slow to accept slander against a friend? (2 Samuel 16:1-4; 19:24-30 ).
16. What kind of people did adversity prove Ziba, and Shimei, to be? (2 Samuel 16:2-8 ). What was David's reaction to Shimei? (2 Samuel 16:9-14 )