May 30, Reading Notes

2 Samuel 15:23-16:23

2 Sam. 15:23-27

Vs. 23-29 It had been a moment of great personal joy when David brought the ark into the city. Now, it must have broken his heart to see these well meaning priests taking it out of the city with him. David's heart is rightly humbled. David knew he had brought this situation on himself and was willing to submit himself to God's will and judgment.

What comes from this is that the priests both had sons who could bring him information.

Vs. 30-37 Jesus would one day weep on the Mount of Olives, but for a very different reason. He would be entering Jerusalem to die for sin. These people, with David, were leaving Jerusalem because of sin. I wonder why they were weeping. I wonder if anyone was thinking that this was the result of what David did to Bathsheba and Uriah.

Hushai would become the secret weapon against Ahithophel. Isn't it interesting that up until now, we've never heard the name of Ahithophel. Now we're afraid of him. If this guy was such a great counselor and such a wise guy, why did he turn against David and side with a foolish man like Absalom? What would cause a wise man like Ahithophel to oppose David and God and do something so foolish? Did you figure it out?

2 Sam. 16

Vs. 1-4 So here is Ziba, bearing gifts. I know he wasn't Greek, but the old adage applied to him. Maybe this was just old world kindness. Maybe he knew the story of how the gift of Abigail had touched David's heart. Of course, hindsight is always 20/20, but no one sees this yet as we will understand it in chapter 19.

Look at verse three. All I want to say here is this, both in the Law and in dealing with elders in the NT, God says, "never admit any charge against an elder accept on the testimony of two or three witnesses."

So here, you have the word of Ziba, that the crippled son of David's best friend, a godly friend, has said, "Good, now I'll become king." Especially knowing that all Israel was following after that handsome, fully functional, "dude's dude" Absalom. Really?

V. 4 To me this ranks as a sad verse in the Bible. David just broke the Law of God by accepting the testimony of one man against another. And look at what he did. He gave Ziba everything, and he never even asked Mephibosheth if this was true. I mean, really. Obviously, I know what's coming in chapter 19. David's judgment was damaged by his sin and his guilt.

Vs. 5-14 This guy was wrong and ranted at David for all the wrong reasons. God will judge him for this, but God used him to provide some "atmosphere" for David's march to the Jordan. David's words give us the idea that he understood that God was motivating Shimei. Interestingly enough, as David dies, he will give Solomon two assignments: one is to kill Joab and the other is to kill this guy, but of course, to do it legally. Sounds like a mafia movie.

Vs. 15-23 So now we look at the other side of this civil war. Hushai is in place to try to save David, but Absalom looks to Ahithophel for counsel. Ahithophel's first word to Absalom is that he should rape David's concubines (servant wives). Vs. 20-23 are a summary that he actually did this, probably the next day. Presently however, the meeting isn't over.

Now, who was Ahithophel?

When we first heard about Bathsheba, we learned that she was the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

If you do a search on the name "Eliam," you'll find it coming up in a few chapters, in 2 Samuel 23. The name is found in the list of David's mighty men. David's mighty men were a select group of men that were outstanding warriors and fighters and deeply loyal to David, probably having joined David when he was still serving Saul. David would have been very close to these men. These men were with him through all the ten years of running from Saul. Now as king, some of them would have been David's personal bodyguards. They would have been the men who ate daily with David at his table (as we see Mephibosheth doing). He would have known and been close to these guys and their families. In putting together a government back then, you went to your family and your friends and their families. You chose men who you knew and could trust. The world was small, and so you surrounded yourself with your trusted, proven people and their families.

So, back in 2 Samuel 23:34 you see that Eliam, one of David's mighty men, was the son of Ahithophel. This would have made Bathsheba, Ahithophel's granddaughter. Look at the end of the list of David's mighty men. The last one listed is Uriah the Hittite. Uriah was in this select group and known by David.

Did David really not know who Bathsheba was? Didn't he know she was the granddaughter of his most trusted counselor, the daughter of one of his closest and most loyal men, and the wife of one of his closest and most loyal men? David wasn't stupid, but what he did was.

What would cause a wise man like Ahithophel to oppose David and God and do something so foolish? Ahithophel saw how David had sexually forced his granddaughter, killed his "grandson-in-law," destroyed his family and violated the trust and loyalty they had shown him when he was running. How sad.

When David says in Psalm 51:4, "Against You, You only, I have sinned…," I have to respectfully disagree. David should have had long talks with Ahithophel and Eliam and their families and apologized until his voice was hoarse and he couldn't cry another tear. I don't think David did this. Look at how David communicated with his own sons. David wrote songs but he was a basket case when it came to discussion for restoration.

Ahithophel became a bitter man and will pay for his bitterness. His new grandson, Solomon, will become king; but where hearts are bitter, where there is no justice, there is seldom forgiveness or peace. Ahithophel needed to have left his service to David and gone to God and found solace in Him alone. I don't think he did that.

So, Ahithophel's first word of counsel to Absalom is to go and publicly rape 10 of David's wives. Remember too, that this "just" punishment is what God promised on David for what he had done.

John 18:25-19:22

John 18:25-40

Vs. 25-27 It is interesting that all four Gospels record that Peter, who was a leader in the church when these accounts were written, had failed Jesus. God's record of redemption includes a lot of failed men, saved by grace. That men like Peter and Paul ended well should be an encouragement to us all.

Vs. 28-32 Pilate wanted to set Jesus free. He really didn't like the Jewish leaders.

V. 28 During this time in Israel's history, the Passover meal could be celebrated on two days. Some say it was because of some technicality in the calendar. It might have been because of the large number of people and the large number of lambs that needed to be sacrificed and the availability of rooms to celebrate in. Jesus and the disciples celebrated on the early day. The Pharisees celebrated on the later day.

Vs. 33-40 Pilate is working to try to let Jesus go.

V. 38 This famous quote comes from an arrogant ruler speaking to a Jewish peasant. Pilate was an embattled, bitter, unpopular ruler. The Jewish lobby in Rome had made his life miserable.

John 19

Vs. 1-5 This beating was meant to make Jesus look broken and humiliated, but was not the pre-crucifixion beating. Pilate still wanted to release Jesus.

Vs. 6-11 Pilate is not very arrogant now. This event is shaping up to be very "spooky" for him. According to the other gospels, his wife has even told him to distance himself from this.

V. 11 Pilate isn't laughing at Jesus any more.

V. 12-16 "Caesar's Friend" was a political designation of being in good standing. When the Jews threw this statement at Pilate, he knew he had lost. This event would go straight back to Rome, where he was barely in good standing. Pilate still could have let him go.

The irony here is bitter. "Behold your king." "We have no king but Caesar."

V. 16 This was the pre-crucifixion beating.

Vs. 19-22 God uses even the evil of men for his purpose. Pilate put the sign above Jesus out of his hate for the Jewish leaders. Yet, what was written, regardless of his motive, was exactly true.

V. 22 When I was in seminary with a full load and a family and a job, having way too many papers to write, this was my key verse for never writing a second draft of a paper. The first draft had to do the trick.

Psalm 119:113-128

These verses, written by David and the Holy Spirit are absolutely true, and absolutely sobering.

Proverbs 16:10-11

Before David fell, his judgments, it is said, were like the words of an angel, meaning He had keen insight. These verses would have been true of him at that point. Sin, guilt, and the consequences of murder changed all that in David. As disciples, we would be wise to learn from what the Lord is showing us from David's life.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.