I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.
Joab realized that David wished to be reconciled with Absalom, so he concocted a plan to convince David to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem. David recognized Joab’s hand behind the plan but sent Joab to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem. However, while David called Absalom back to Jerusalem, he refused to allow Absalom to come into his presence. After two years, Absalom sent word requesting a meeting with Joab, but Joab did not respond. Absalom sent a second request and again got no response. Absalom then told his servants to set fire to one of Joab’s fields. this got Joab to come see him. Absalom asked Joab to intercede with the king for him so that he might once more see the king. Joab did so and David relented and was reconciled with Absalom.
After being reconciled to the king Absalom began, or perhaps resumed, his plot to gain the throne. He bought a chariot and horse and hired 50 bodyguards to run before him. Each day he went out and stood by the road leading into the city. When Absalom saw someone coming to the city to bring a case before the king, he would show an interest in them and tell them that he thought they had a good case but that the king had no one to review their case. He would tell them that if only he was the judge he would give them justice. Then when people tried to bow before him, Absalom would not let them. Absalom followed this procedure with everyone who came to the king for judgment. After four years of doing this Absalom had become beloved throughout the land and he was ready to move to the next phase.
Absalom asked David for permission to go to Hebron to offer sacrifices, claiming that he had made a vow to do so while in exile. David told him to go and fulfill his vow. Once Absalom was in Hebron, he sent messengers throughout the land to spread word that Absalom had been crowned king. He had brought 200 men with him from Jerusalem who were unaware of his plot, but he also sent for his father David’s adviser, Ahithophel. Absalom’s conspiracy gained strength and more and more people became his followers.
Word reached David that Absalom had made a claim to the throne and that people were supporting him. David at once gathered his men and fled Jerusalem, leaving behind only ten of his concubines to tend the palace in his absence. As his forces left the city, David stood aside to let his men go ahead of him. The passage is not clear, but it appears that most of the force which accompanied David as he left Jerusalem were Philistines (and perhaps members of a related ethnic group as well) who had chosen to follow David some time back. Among those was a group recently arrived from Gath. David suggested that this latter group of about 600 men should remain behind and transfer their loyalty to Absalom. However, their leader, a man by the name of Ittai, insisted on accompanying David. So, David and all of his loyal retainers and troops, along with their families, fled Jerusalem ahead of Absalom. Thus bringing to fulfillment, Nathan’s prophecy that David’s family would rebel against him.
When Jesus finished His prayer, He and His disciples went to a garden that they often used when they were in Jerusalem. Judas was aware of this location and led a heavily armed contingent of soldiers and officials from the chief priests and religious leaders. When Jesus saw them coming He stepped forward and asked who they were looking for. When they said that they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus answered, “I Am.” The various translations render this as “I am he,” however the notes tell me that the Greek is “I am.” This would have been understood by the Jews of that time as a reference to what God said when Moses asked Him who He was. The passage tells us that those who came to arrest Jesus drew back and fell to the ground when He said, “I am.” Understanding that Jesus was making a statement identifying Himself as God helps explain why they fell down when He said it. Even if they did not believe that He was the Messiah, they had to have heard the stories about what He had done and what many people thought of Him. So it is likely when He made that statement they were subconsciously expecting some overwhelming force to strike them.
Jesus asked them again who they were looking for. When they responded once more that they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus said that He was the one they were looking for and they should let the rest go. Peter then drew his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting of his ear. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away, that He was going to drink from the cup which God was giving Him. The soldiers then arrested Jesus and tied Him up. They took Him to Annas, the father-in-law to Caiaphas, the high priest. Peter and another disciple followed them. The other disciple (probably John) was known to the high priest, so he was able to go in while Peter had to remain outside. The other disciple spoke to the servant girl on duty and brought Peter in. The servant girl asked Peter if he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter answered that he was not.
The high priest (it is somewhat ambiguous as to whether this refers to Caiaphas or to someone else, perhaps Annas) asked Jesus about His teachings and His disciples. Jesus answered that He had taught in the synagogues and the temple. Why question Him now? Why not ask those who had heard Him preach? One of the officials present slapped Jesus and implied that He was being disrespectful of the high priest. Jesus confronted the official asking him to show how what He had said was wrong and if he could not do that asking why he had hit Him.
Do you want to be able to outsmart your enemies? Then listen to God’s word and follow His commands. God’s words are sweeter than honey and will bring joy and pleasure to those who listen to them. God’s word will provide light to our path in this world so that we do not stumble and fall. I am determined to live my life so that others will see that I agree with the psalmist when he says:
they are my heart’s delight.
It is by studying God’s precepts that I gain understanding about the way the world works and how to live my life.
The first of these proverbs is an important reminder. There is nothing I can add to what it says:
than to be rich and dishonest.
The second proverb is just as important, although it can do with some unpacking. We can plan to do accomplish many goals, but ultimately it is God who decides where we end up.