Bible Reading Reflection from 2 Samuel 17-24

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟚 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟟:𝟚𝟛

"Now when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and arose and went to his home, to his city, and set his house in order, and strangled himself; thus he died and was buried in the grave of his father."

David had written many Psalms against this betrayal mentioned in this chapter. His own counselor had taken pleasure to kill him.

And look at the irony. Ahithophel suggested striking dead the king alone (v2), and indeed, ironically, Ahithophel killed only one person, himself.

Imagine yourself in the presence of the king. Ahithophel walked in with that suggestion. Then Hushai walked in. Ahithophel must be very curious knowing this wise formidable secret opponent. And after Hushai had spoken, he knew better than everyone that his game was over. So, he went and hanged himself. Another betrayer, Judas Iscariot hanged himself. Jesus, BTW, used David's Psalm to talk of His betrayal.

Don't devise evil schemes against your neighbor or your friend. You never know they may work against you.

A story is told about a man who wanted to kill his neighbor's son. He kept a poisoned fruit in the barn of his neighbor. Unfortunately, his own son visited that barn and ate the fruit, and died. And so, our Rongmei proverb goes, "Wishing to kill somebody's son will lead to the death of your own son"

 

𝟚 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟠:𝟙𝟜

"Joab said, "I will not waste time like this with you." And he took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak."

Joab was a man of no mercy, selfish, breathing only revenge. He killed Abner the commander of Israel, and Absalom, the King's son.

David still associated with him because he was a brave warrior. But is that a good reason? Actually, Joab hid the sin of David at least once. Joab must be blackmailing David or taking advantage of David in many areas, who knows?

In the end, David commanded his son to kill Joab.

What a strange relationship? Also, Joab and Absalom were friends, still, Joab killed him. David and Joab were friends, still, David killed Joab. It's like a mafia movie!

Maybe one of your friendships is exactly like these, partnering only in unrighteousness!

 

𝟚 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟡:𝟝

"Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, "Today you have covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who today have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines."

Let's be quick to forgive David in this story. Yea, he was wrong, he was selfish, he wasn't wise.

Instead of thanking God for delivering the kingdom, he was mourning. Instead of commending the soldiers who laid down their lives, he was silent. On and on...

But this is what human often does.

Let's learn to be thankful to God and others.

 

𝟚 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟘:𝟙𝟘

"But Amasa was not on guard against the sword which was in Joab's hand so he struck him in the belly with it and poured out his inward parts on the ground, and did not strike him again, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri."

David, the King himself couldn't do anything. Joab was a 'necessary evil' for his kingship. v22, Joab was welcomed like a hero. And he became commander again in v23. Under whom? The man after God's own heart!

Now, when politicians have hitmen, you may slander them like they are worse than any people. But perhaps they were as hapless as David. And if we compare against David, no one will say he is worse than us!

I heard from my friends that Tamenglong's DC Armstrong is demoted, transferred, and removed from his DC job after the murder of Athon Abonmai by NSCN-IM, a few weeks ago. And many police personnel were suspended.

UPSC aspirants seem to think cracking UPSC exams and becoming DC is everything. Well, IAS Armstrong couldn't do anything, rather he was removed.

Don't put your trust in a man, not even godly people. They are human. Put your trust in God.

And don't play God, we aren't. We will always fail.

 

𝟚 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟙:𝟞

"Let seven men from his sons be given to us, and we will hang them before the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the LORD." And the king said, "I will give them."

This is not easy to understand, except that Justice shall be served, and keeping [respecting] Covenant matters to God.

In recent years, I have become more aware that some people are really good at not keeping their words. Keep your word!

 

𝟚 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟚:𝟠-𝟡

"Then the earth shook and quaked, The foundations of heaven were trembling And were shaken, because He was angry. ‘Smoke went up out of His nostrils, Fire from His mouth devoured; Coals were kindled by it.’"

Have you ever spoken of God like this?

Have you ever said a prayer (publicly or privately) like this?

Have you ever pictured God like this? Thought like this?

People who are far from you think you are cool. The online profile of almost everyone is cool. I can even look handsome with Photoshop.

But those who live in our house know our not-so-cool stuff.

Those who know God know not only the lovely stuff but also His wrath against sinners.

Up your knowledge of God!

 

𝟚 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟛:𝟙

“Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse declares, The man who was raised on high declares, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel.”

4 descriptions of David, his legacy, how he is remembered:

1. The son of Jesse

2. Who was raised on high

3. The anointed of the God of Jacob

4. The sweet Psalmist of Israel.

How would people remember us after we die? Somebody said most people cease to exist 30 years after their death. How many of you know the names of your great great great grandfather? If the family members do not know, nobody knows.

 

𝟚 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟜:𝟚𝟜

"However, the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."

I am glad when people admire what I do, but I am gladder when they imitate what they think is good at what I do: Moving beyond Appreciation to Imitation. Apostles Paul and John had the same exhortation on this.

We all love David. We love to even narrate this very chapter and verse about how David offered to the Lord. We need to imitate him, and start applying this truth in our lives.

Offering to God must cost us, right?

Stretching the application: it's reasonable to spend money for your auto fare to go to church. It's reasonable to "waste" your time in the fellowship of the saints. It's reasonable to risk your health [covid fear] in going out for a church program. Even following Jesus is costly. It costs us everything. Let's live like that.

We Indian love freebies and goodies. David on the other hand was a generous man.