(17)
2 Samuel 2—24
(7)
2 Samuel 12:15b—20:26
(1)
Scripture Reading: 2 Sam. 12:15-31; 2 Sam. 13; 2 Sam. 14:1-33
Second Samuel 12:15b through 14:33 describes God's punishing judgment on David.
In 12:15b-23 we are told of the death of the child born to David of Uriah's wife.
Jehovah struck the child whom Uriah's wife bore to David, and the child was very sick (v. 15b).
David besought God for the child with fasting, spending all the night lying on the ground (v. 16).
On the seventh day the child died and David was released (vv. 17-23). When David realized that the child had died, he rose up from the ground, washed and anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of Jehovah and worshipped.
In verses 24 and 25 we have a word regarding the birth of Solomon.
David comforted Bath-sheba his wife. She bore him a son, and he called his name Solomon, which means "peaceful" (v. 24a).
Jehovah loved Solomon, sent word through Nathan the prophet, and called his name Jedidiah for Jehovah's sake (vv. 24b-25). The name Jedidiah means "beloved of Jehovah."
Verses 26 through 31 speak of David's conquest over the children of Ammon.
This conquest of the children of Ammon was through David's captain Joab (vv. 26-29).
David robbed the king of Ammon of his crown, the weight of which was a talent of gold. David also brought forth the spoil of the city, a very great amount (v. 30).
In dealing with the cities of the children of Ammon, David set the people under saws, iron cutting tools, and iron axes and made them pass through the brick kilns (v. 31).
Second Samuel 13:1-22 is an account of the incest of Amnon the son of David with his sister Tamar.
The incest of Amnon was carried out through the craft of Jonadab, Amnon's cousin (vv. 3-14).
After committing incest with Tamar, Amnon turned to hate her and chased her away (vv. 15-19).
Tamar's brother Absalom discovered the incest, and she remained in his house. When David heard about all these things, he was very angry. Absalom hated Amnon because of what he had done to his sister (vv. 20-22).
Verses 23 through 39 are an account of the murder of Amnon by Absalom the son of David. This murder had been determined by Absalom since the day Amnon forced his sister (v. 32b).
Verses 23 through 29 indicate that the murder of Amnon by Absalom was carried out by a conspiracy.
According to verses 30 through 33, the murder of Amnon was reported to David.
David's sons lifted up their voice and wept, and David with all his servants also wept exceedingly (vv. 34-36).
Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur, and was in Geshur three years. David mourned for his son every day. Eventually, the spirit of David the king longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead (vv. 37-39).
Second Samuel 14:1-24 tells us of Joab's device to bring Absalom back.
Joab perceived that David's heart was set on Absalom (v. 1).
Joab's device to bring Absalom back was performed through a woman (vv. 2-22).
When David told Joab to bring Absalom back, Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem (v. 23).
David did not let Absalom see his face but let him return to his own house (v. 24).
Absalom was more beautiful than all the people in Israel. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, there was no blemish in him (vv. 25-26).
To Absalom were born three sons and one daughter, a woman of beautiful appearance (v. 27).
In verses 28 through 33 Absalom sought to see his father David.
Absalom dwelt in Jerusalem for two full years and did not see his father's face (v. 28).
It was through Joab that Absalom eventually was able to see his father's face (vv. 29-32).
Joab went to David and spoke to him. David called for Absalom, and Joab brought him to see his father (v. 33a).
Absalom bowed himself with his face to the ground before David the king, and then his father kissed him (v. 33b).
