2 Samul 16-18

Chapter 18 was interesting....was Ziba a friend or foe?  Scholars disagree....there is no scriptural reason given for why David agreed so quickly with Ziba, but there are many challenges to Ziba's motives.  Perhaps he expected a reward from David...perhaps he was sincere.

Shimei cursed David through quite a bit of his journery....David tolerated the abuse and even says that the Lord told Shimei to curse him.  David knows that God sees what is going on.

Now remember that Ahitophel is Absolom's advisor, and was Saul's.   Hushai is David's spy.  Verse 21 is the fulfillment of scripture where  Nathan said that another man would sleep with David's wives (rembember those 10 concubines that David left behind when he fled), and Absolom did.  Culturally, this means that Absolom was making claim to the throne.

In chapter 17 Ahithophel counsels Absolom with good advice....Hushai gives advice in David's favor.  Verse 14 shows us that the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel to bring disaster on Absolom.  Yay, God!!!  Remember when David prayed, "O Lord, turn Ahithopahel's counsel into foolishness?  (15:31)...the Lord delivered and his counsel was not followed. Ahithophel saw that his advice wasn't followed and hanged himself.

Chapter 18 is sad and ironic.  David wanted Joab to be gentle with Absolom for his sake.  A father's love runs deep.  Scripture tells us that Abalom's head was caught in a tree.  Many scholars speculate that it was actually his hair....remember how "pretty" Absolom was supposed to be?   And when he had a haircut, it was about 2-5 pounds of hair that was cut off?   His pride was his undoing....Joab took matters into his own hands and executes Absolom.  David hears the news, and is crushed.  David truly loved his son, even through the rebellion.

Nathan's prediction that the sword would affect David's household and not depart from it (12:10) is certainly coming to pass.

Trivia:  Did you know that Absolom means Father of Peace?    This one did not live up to his name.   Here are some artist renderings of Absolom...





I like the image on the left  LOL.....Do you think he looks like a spoiled prince?  Can you see Absolom stewing over the treatment of his sister when she was raped and getting mad at David for not doing anything about it?  Absolom stewed over it and killed Amnon himself and fled....do you think the sins of the fathers are being reflected in the sons?  David repented.  Did Absolom?