Gallery – Page 11 – Old Testament Survey

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.

Psalm 55

Ahithophel caused David much grief in his betrayal. He eventually hung himself when he realized he had nowhere else to go due to his betrayal. This should remind you of Judas in the New Testament account of the betrayal of Jesus.

Psalm 55

This psalm was written by David in response to what his father-in-law, Ahithophel, did to him in 2 Samuel 15 (see our study). This is a consequence of David’s sin with Ahithophel’s granddaughter, Bathsheba (see our study of 2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 12 along with the Consequences of David’s Sin). Ahithophel was a trusted counselor who joined in Absalom’s rebellion in response to David’s mistreatment of his family. His deception and treason caused David much grief as is evident in this psalm (13).

David will ask us to stop and ponder (selah) what he has written twice.

Verses 1-8-David’s desire to flee is overturned by his desire to present his case to the God of the Universe.

Selah: What drives you to your knees? Do you seek Him or an escape from your circumstances? Trusting Him to carry you through the tough times is the only way of escape that is biblical (1 Corinthians 10.12-13().

Verses 9-18-This is David’s response to what is happening in Jerusalem without leadership. Chaos occurs where no leader is present. Absalom was not a leader but a usurper. This is why we need God to be our leader for Satan, the only other alternative, is a usurper.

Verse 16 is the turning point of the psalm. David states “But I will call upon.” Despite the circumstances, we need to turn to God for help, comfort, and direction.

Selah: What is your “But” in life?

Verses 19-23-David describes Ahithophel now as an enemy. I wonder if this is what a divorced person feels toward their former spouse. In all this, David still seeks God. Verse 22 reminds us of the words of Jesus in Matthew 11.29-30 and Peter in 1 Peter 5.6-7.

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Judas Kiss by Petra

Psalm 28

What does the silence of God mean to you (1)? When you pray, does He seem distant? When you read His Word, does it seem hollow? Why? Sometimes it is because we have sinned. Other times it is because He wants us to rely and trust in a greater way on Him. Can you think of other reasons?

Psalm 28

This psalm is like the other lamenting psalms we have looked at (see our study of Psalm 13 for an example). David makes his plea to God, describes what is happening, and praises God for the answer. The circumstances do not determine our joy, it is He to whom we look that determines our joy. This psalm could have been written during David’s fleeing from Saul or from Absalom. As with Psalm 13, I look at it as an attempt to escape his son Absalom, thus the placement in our studies. Verse two implies that David has been in Jerusalem and has established the Tent of Meeting as the sanctuary. If he were fleeing from Saul, neither of these would have occurred.

The first five verses sound like Absalom’s words in 2 Samuel 15 (see our study). Absalom was undermining the authority of David with words that caused others to deem David as weak.

Psalm 13

He is still hurting and it appears that his enemies have the upper hand. What has changed in all this is David’s view of God. Who is it that you serve?

Psalm 13

As with all laments/complaints we have, this psalm is an exemplar of how we should handle our situation. In this psalm David brings his complaint to God (1-2) not to those around him. He then asks of God to help him through this time (3-4), he does not ask for others to help him through by any means at all. He finalizes the prayer with praise (5-6). When we take our complaints to people who cannot do anything about it or who will handle it without godliness, we end up bitter and unfulfilled. When we take our complaints to the One who can do something about it and He will do it thoroughly and with justice, we will be praising not complaining. The next time you have an injustice in your life, take it to the Lord in prayer. By the way, David’s complaint was that either Saul or Absalom was attempting to kill him, what is your complaint?

David shows real pain in the first two verses. He states that he is hurting, it seems as if God has forgotten him, and his enemies are victorious. Whether these are accurate statements is not the point, the point is that David feels isolated. He is hurting, he thinks God isn’t there because he thinks the ones who hate him are victorious. The only one that is accurate is that David is hurting. He presumes the other two. His prayer in verse three is for God to give him insight into the truth (read Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1). When this is done, praise happens. He is still hurting and it appears that his enemies (2) have the upper hand. What has changed in all this is David’s view of God. Who is it that you serve?

Psalm 12

When you see the needy or the poor, what do you do? What would God have you do? If you do not do that, what verse of this psalm best describes you?

Psalm 12

The superscription, Sheminith, is found in Psalm 6 (see our study).

This psalm reverberates the complaint of the righteous today. There is no one, culturally speaking, who seeks after God. Government and those in places of authority abuse their power so there are needy and poor on earth. Now, I do not blame the government for the poor or needy; however, they are allowing them to stay that way. I see the church who has disbanded her call to feed the poor and care for the orphan as the one to blame. As this psalm is read, read the church in verse four and read you there as well. Verse five reminds us that God has created a “safety” net for the poor and needy. The church is to be that net.

When you see the needy or the poor, what do you do? What would God have you do? If you do not do that, what verse of this psalm best describes you?

Psalm 4

To whom do you go when people are against you? What does this psalm instruct us to do? Are you?

Psalm 4 (see our study of Psalm 3 and 2 Samuel 15)

This is the evening psalm (8) of the pair of psalms (see Psalm 3.5, for the morning psalm). This was written by David on the same occasion of Psalm 3, which is Absalom’s treason and rebellion.

As with Psalm 3, this psalm will be considered in light of the pauses (Selah).

Verses 1-2-These verses seem to call out to God to work justly and to those men who stood against him to consider their ways. He is asking God, possibly, to convict Joab, Abishai, Ahithophel, and others who once were prominent people in David’s assembly. These three were very close to David the first two were related and the latter was a close family friend, even before becoming a relative by marriage to Bathsheba.

Selah: Are there people in your life who have hurt you? If you are living, the answer is yes. Are you in prayer for them? Specifically, are you praying for God to work in their lives? Or, are you letting your bitterness fester?

Verses 3-4-Although David sinned against God, he knew he was forgiven and his sins were remembered no more (see our study on Psalm 103). In knowing he stood in right relationship with God and in fellowship with Him, David knew his prayers were heard. David’s call in verse four is the same as Paul’s in Ephesians 4:26, which is to be angry but not to sin.

Selah: If you are allowing anger to fester into bitterness and beyond, you are setting yourself out of fellowship with God. He will not hear your prayers (see our study of Psalm 51).

Verses 5-8-Verse six is the ultimate blessing giving by God, which is having His face shine upon us (see our study of Psalm 67). No matter the circumstance, David found himself in, he turned to God for his protection and joy.

To whom do you go when people are against you? What does this psalm instruct us to do? Are you?

Psalm 3

How often do you ask God to rid you of your enemies, those that oppose your walk with God? For whom do you do this? Is it for your comfort or for His glory? What is the focus of your prayer?

Psalm 3 (See our study on Psalm 4 and 2 Samuel 15)

These two psalms, three and four, are thought to have been written the same day. Psalm 3 was written in the morning (5) while Psalm 4 was written in the evening (8).

This psalm is written as a result of David’s sin with Bathsheba (see our study of 2 Samuel 12 read verse 11). As part of the consequences of David’s sin, Absalom is in rebellion (see our study on the Consequences of David’s Sin).

The psalm, like many others, can be outlined according to the pauses (Selah) presented.

Verses 1-2-Can you sense the anguish of David’s heart? He states that many have risen against him. He repeats “many” three times. When a word is repeated three times, there is a purpose and many times there is a fourth )See Daniel’s story of the fiery furnace(. Here the fourth “many” is obscured in the word for “increased,” which is the same word used of Absalom’s rebellion in 2 Samuel 15.12. The “many” are found in his son. Those around him are abashing him and reminding him of his sin. Thus the phrase that he is being taunted with “There is no help for you in God.”

Selah: Your turn. Who is it that taunts you and seeks to abash you? Your number one enemy is Satan. He is at the ready to accuse you and to remind you of your sin. He is there to inform you that God does not love you and will not accept you because of your sin. Do you listen to him? Remember that he is a liar. He tells a partial truth, which is a lie, in order for you to believe the lie. See our study of 1 Samuel 17.

Verses 3-4-Although those around him state that God has nothing to do with him, David knows that God is his only source of help. He is his protection. There is no other help, except in God.

Selah: When times are tough and situations are deceptive, to whom do you turn? Do you turn first to your friends, your family, your finances, or do you turn to Him who alone answers and helps us in our time of need? God strengthens us and empowers us to do His good work despite the circumstances.

Verses 5-8-David’s confidence is in God, no matter the odds against him. He can sleep the sleep of the righteous knowing that God is in control of all things. When David awakes, he begins his prayers again for God to rise up, as a warrior, to do battle for David through that day. David knew that his sin was a stain upon his nation. He asks God to bless the nation for God’s glory, not his.

Selah: How often do you ask God to rid you of your enemies, those that oppose your walk with God? For whom do you do this? Is it for your comfort or for His glory? What is the focus of your prayer?

2 Samuel 15

Who, in your life, speaks lies to your face in order to build you up to break you down? If you cannot think of one, and your are a Christian, might I suggest the father of lies, Satan? Be careful for he is out to devour you (1 Peter 5.8).

2 Samuel 15

Absalom’s rebellion begins here and continues until his death in 2 Samuel 19 (see the study to come). This chapter divides itself into the treason shown by Absalom (1-12) and avid fleeing from Jerusalem (13-37).

Reading these first twelve verses lead us to believe that Absalom was quite bitter with his father. He spent five years away from him, and four years plotting his overthrow in the city of Jerusalem. He slowly but steadily led people away from David and into his own favor by telling them what they want to hear (see our study of 2 Samuel 14 and the woman of Tekoa). Remember back to 2 Samuel 11 where Ahithophel was introduced (see our study), he is brought back to the story here. He was Bathsheba’s grandfather who was also David’s counselor. What he did in this chapter was a payback for what David did to his granddaughter and her husband, Uriah. He advises Absalom to do to David what David did to Uriah, take another man’s wife. If Absalom could sleep with David’s concubines, mistresses, or wives, he could lay claim to the throne. Ahithophel will present himself again in 2 Samuel 17 (see our study to come). By the end of this first division, Absalom has many followers and this act of treason growing the act of rebellion begins in the next division.

In the next division, as David is fleeing, the author presents those who are faithful to God’s king. There is Abiathar (see our studies in 1 Samuel 21-24, 1 Samuel 30, and 2 Samuel 8), groups of people from various nations, and Ittai the Gittite displays his loyalty to David much like Ruth did to Naomi (see our studies in Ruth). David refuses to use the Ark as a symbol of protection. I believe he learned his lesson from Saul’s misuse of the Ark in 1 Samuel (see our study of 1 Samuel 5-7).

In order to have inside information, David sends his trusted advisor, Hushai, to give advice against Ahithophel. This leads to Ahithophel’s ultimate suicide (see our study to come in 2 Samuel 17).

The path David to on his escape from Jerusalem, David traveled the same route Jesus would take on the night of His betrayal along the Kidron Valley through the Mount of Olives.

2 Samuel 14

There are times when people play on our emotions and on our real experiences in order to manipulate us into doing something which seems right in our eyes (Read Judges) but in the end it is destruction (Proverbs 14.12). This is syncretism at its peak. Be careful of things that you want to hear (2 Timothy 4.1-5) that do not align with Scripture. This is Satan’s number one ploy. In this chapter David’s trusted nephew was the source.

2 Samuel 14

Depending on how the preposition in verse one is rendered, this chapter takes two differing views. If the preposition עַל is translated “toward,” which is contextually difficult, the meaning is that David desired to have Absalom in his presence. However, is refusal to meet with him when he returned to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14.24). The preposition most likely should be translated “against,” which better fits the passage. For the rest of Absalom’s life, he and David were at odds with each other. He would not allow Absalom into his presence, Absalom rebelled against David (see our study of 2 Samuel 15), and Absalom died tragically in rebellion to David (see our study to come on 2 Samuel 18 and The Consequences of Sin [study to come]). Through the deceit and duplicity of Joab in this chapter, David granted Absalom’s return. There was not repentance on Absalom’s part and not reconciliation on either part. Absalom was next in line to be king, Joab was playing both sides of the field and was not above deception to obtain favor in the eyes of both David and Absalom. In using this woman, he played on David’s emotions and upon a real experience David had. Nathan was a prophet through whom God spoke to convict David of his sin (see our study of 2 Samuel 12). The woman of Tekoa was used to play on this real experience in David’s life. She told him things that would get his emotions playing on who his son was and the need to see him no matter the cost. It would cost Absalom his life, David’s relationship was never restored with Absalom because they never sought reconciliation. They did not discuss the sins nor seek forgiveness for them. Even though Absalom goes before David with obeisance, there is no repentance. Nothing biblical occurs.

Absalom’s character surfaces at the close of the chapter (25–33). He is good looking, charismatic (in the true sense of the word-drawing people to him), deceptive, and cruel.

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.