Tag: Consequences

2 Samuel 16

2 Samuel 16

The opening of this chapter and the conclusion of the matter in 2 Samuel 19.24-30 (see our study) presents the truth of the proverb that states what a man says seems true until the other side is heard (Proverbs 18.17). Ziba, who we introduced in our study of 2 Samuel 9, presents his case that Mephibosheth (see the same study) is attempting to bring back the kingdom of Saul.

The chapter can be outlined according to the characters introduced:

  • Verses 1-4-Ziba the Liar. Ziba lied to David about the character of Mephibosheth. Since there were two extra donkeys, do you suppose one was for Mephibosheth and the other for Ziba? Why do you think David believed him? Satan is the Liar who also tells half-truths, to which of his lies do you listen?
  • Verses 5-8-Shimei the Accuser. Being a relative of Saul and a resident of Bahurim, Shimei may have had a few reasons for hating David. He felt David stole the throne from the Benjamites and that David disgraced Saul’s daughter Michal by humiliating her second husband in the city of Bahurim (2 Samuel 3.16, see our study). The ranting of Shimei was more of a curse on David than an attempt to hurt him physically. He was more or less throwing stones at David to get rid of him much like someone would do to a stray dog (13-14). Shimei stated he was speaking on behalf of God. Whether he was or not, we cannot tell; however, David believed he could have been (10).
  • Verses 9-14-Abishai the Avenger. Abishai is still protecting David, his king (see our study of 1 Samuel 26). He uses the imagery of the dog in his attack on Shimei.
  • Verses 15-23-Ahithophel the Traitor. Ahithophel convinces Absalom to sleep with David’s concubines in the presence of all Jerusalem. This was in fulfillment of the consequences of David sleeping with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12). This advice is will be used again with Adonijah in 1 Kings 2.19-25.

The last few verses of this chapter will set the stage for the surprise turn of events in the next chapter.

2 Samuel 13

A generality follows:
This is a warning to all women, beware the flattery and seduction of men whose sole desire is to have sex with you. The treatment that Amnon gave Tamar should not be considered abnormal. It is normal. When a man is in lust with a woman and is unwilling to go through the formalities of marriage, his sole desire is the sexual experience, and not the person.

2 Samuel 13 (See our study of 2 Samuel 11,The Consequences of Sin [study to come], and David’s Family Tree)

David’s dysfunctional family is portrayed in this gruesome tale of Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom. The actions taken and not taken in this chapter will haunt David for the remainder of his life. The crux of the story is this, David’s children, from various wives, fall in lust with each other. The son and daughter of a foreign princess (Maachah the Geshurite) were Tamar, a virgin, and Absalom. They were good looking, which led to both their downfalls. Amnon, David’s oldest son by a foreign wife (Ahinoam the Jezreelite), fell in lust with her. He deceived her into sleeping with him, he raped her, and then pushed her away in disgust. According to Levitical law, he could not marry her even if he desired to (Leviticus 18.11). Her brother wants their father, David, to discipline his oldest child, which he does not. Absalom becomes quite angry and plots to kill Amnon. He is successful. The heir to the throne is murdered. Let’s see what parallels this has with David’s sin with Bathsheba. David slept with a woman that he should not have slept with and she was in a time of purification. David committed deception and murder to correct a sin. David is reflected in the lives of these sons of his. No wonder he didn’t want to discipline Amnon nor Absalom. Absalom is lost too. He flees to his mother’s area of the world and lives in Geshur, which is a refuge for criminals. David did not mourn the loss of his dead son, much like he did not mourn the loss of his dead son in 2 Samuel 12 (see our study). Instead, he mourned the loss of his living son, which runs parallel to 2 Samuel 12 as well.

A generality follows:

This is a warning to all women, beware the flattery and seduction of men whose sole desire is to have sex with you. The treatment that Amnon gave Tamar should not be considered abnormal. It is normal. When a man is in lust with a woman and is unwilling to go through the formalities of marriage, his sole desire is the sexual experience, and not the person.

How you treat women reflects your character. How you discipline your children will determine their future. Think on these matters.