Memory Verse

1. Memory Verse Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:10-12)

2. The Reign of David: Absalom’s Sin and Betrayal 2 Samuel, Chapters 13 - 15

3. The Consequences of David’s Sin The LORD had blessed David’s house, for David revered and obeyed Him. But David blatantly violated God’s standards. He took many wives and lust took hold of his life as he committed adultery. Rather than facing the truth about his sin, his guilt and shame increased as he lied to cover up an unexpected pregnancy and even committed murder. Nathan had warned David of the consequences of his sins. Despite David’s eventual confession before the LORD, his evil acts would impact and affect his children: like father, like son.

4. The Lament and Hope of the Psalms Today we will learn about the serious problems that David deals with in his family and that impact the nation of Israel as a whole. His own children cause him great pain. The damage done to the nation of Israel will be great. Trouble and sorrow marked David’s days at this time of his life and it is reflected in the psalms he wrote. Yet even in the midst of difficult times, David made it clear that God sustained him as he trusted in Him. As David cried out to the Lord in his need, he knew God would hear his cry for mercy. Because of the Lord, David suffered but he also endured.

5. Ammon’s Lust Leads To Lies (13:1 – 6) David and Bathsheba had already lost their firstborn son so when David heard that his oldest son Amnon was ill, he wanted to help. But Ammon was faking illness in order to lure his half-sister Tamar into his room. Ammon lusted after Tamar and his friend, Jonadab (who was also David’s nephew!) encouraged him to deceive David in order to bed his half-sister. Amnon asked that his half-sister Tamar bring him food in a plot to lure her to his room. As David had deceived Uriah, so was he now deceived by Amnon. He told Tamar to go to Amnon.

6. The Rape and Shaming of Tamar (13:7 – 22) When she went to Amnon, Tamar, sensing danger, begged Amnon to ask their father’s permission to wed. Her pleas fell on deaf ears, and she was raped. Once his lust was satisfied, Amnon coldly had her thrown out. David heard of it and was angry but did not chastise Amnon as he should have done publicly (Leviticus 18:29). Tamar’s brother Absalom took her into his own home and waited for revenge. If David had punished Amnon, Absalom might have been pacified. Instead, he saw Tamar weeping while Amnon carelessly went his way.

7. Absalom’s Revenge (13:23 – 29) The murder in Absalom’s heart would become murder in fact. Two years after the crime, Absalom gave a shearing festival, inviting all of his brothers and his father. But David refused Absalom’s repeated invitation. David’s refusal to come unwittingly helped another son commit a crime; his presence might have averted Amnon’s murder. Once Amnon was drunk, Absalom’s servants on his prior order, killed Amnon in revenge.

8. Absalom’s Flight (13:30 – 39) Amnon was the oldest of David’s sons; now he was dead. His murder seemingly cleared Absalom’s way to the throne of David. Fearing what he might do next, Absalom’s brothers fled. Absalom knew he had no refuge in Israel. This murder was premeditated, and the cities of refuge would not welcome him (Numbers 35:11), so he fled to his grandfather, the king of Geshur. David mourned for Amnon, but time lessened the pain of his death. At that point his heart softened toward his offending son, and he “longed to go to Absalom.”

9. Joab Intercedes For Absalom (14:1 – 22) After Absalom’s three-year exile, David’s general, Joab, instigated his return. Joab arranged for a wise woman to plead for justice before David with a false story, pressing him until he gave a favorable verdict. She then asked him to bring Absalom back. Joab may have thought the handsome, charismatic Absalom would soon be king and that helping him would curry favor. Joab had been David’s friend, but their relationship had changed, perhaps when David ordered Uriah’s death through Joab.

10. Absalom’s Return (14:23 – 33) David allowed Absalom to return, making a show of justice by refusing to see his son for two more years. Wanting his father’s throne — thus needing to move freely around Israel — Absalom sent for Joab but Joab ignored his request for an audience not once—but twice! Absalom burned Joab’s field to get his attention. He demanded that Joab speak on his behalf. Joab went to David, who reestablished Absalom at court.

11. Absalom’s Return (14:23 – 33) David allowed Absalom to return, making a show of justice by refusing to see his son for two more years. Wanting his father’s throne — thus needing to move freely around Israel — Absalom sent for Joab but Joab ignored his request for an audience not once—but twice! Absalom burned Joab’s field to get his attention. He demanded that Joab speak on his behalf. Joab went to David, who reestablished Absalom at court.

12. Absalom’s Treachery (15:1 – 4 ) While the king and his sons rode mules in obedience to God’s command (Deuteronomy 17:16), Absalom was not so humble. Absalom began riding in a horse-drawn chariot with fifty men running ahead of him. He went early to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a case for the king to settle, Absalom would say, “Your claims are valid but the king has no one to listen to you. If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a case could come to me and I would see that he gets justice." People came near Absalom to bow down. He would reach out, take hold of the person and then give him a kiss. Absalom stole the hearts of everyone in Israel

13. Absalom Wins The People’s Hearts (15:5 – 6)  Unfortunately David did not restrain Absalom. That was a mistake, for Absalom stole the people’s hearts. People came near Absalom to bow down. He would reach out, take hold of the person and then give him a kiss. If David wrote Psalms 39, 41, and 55 at this time, as some believe, he was not well. That would explain why he let Absalom persist in such obvious attempts to undermine his reign.

14. Absalom’s Conspiracy (15:7 – 12) Four years later Absalom plotted to bring about a coup in Hebron. He asked David’s permission to fulfill a sacred vow there. Again David was deceived, for Absalom had made no such vow. He told Absalom to “Go in peace.” Absalom left, taking 200 men from Jerusalem, and sent spies throughout the land. Many flocked to him, even Ahithophel, David’s trusted counselor. Many think it was of Ahithophel that David said, “Even my close friend, whom I trusted … has lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9).

15. Only A Friend Can Betray A Friend (15:12 – 14) Why did Ahithophel betray David? As Bathsheba’s grandfather (11:3; 23:34), he may have held a grudge against him. When he heard Ahithophel had gone over to Absalom, David asked God to “turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.” A messenger reported to David, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” When David heard that Israel had turned to Absalom, he left Jerusalem.

16. David On The Run…Again (15:15 – 37) This king of war who won much land back from his enemies now walked away with just servants, household, and 600 men, as penance. He rested his case on God alone. He refused to take the ark, knowing it was safer in the city and that God had the power to bring him back to it. The priests wanted to follow him, but he sent them back. Walking in defeat to exile is a good way to determine one’s true friends. Ittai the foreigner was one, as was Hushai, the wise counselor. David walked weeping up the Mount of Olives to pray. Then he worshiped God as recorded in Psalm 3.