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the four stones. Part 5: Purpose in Perpetuity. Warm-Up Question. How do you define “compromise?” In Christian life, is it good or bad?. Absalom. David’s third son. Mother was Maacah Maacah was daughter of Talmai Talmai was the King of Geshur Geshur Territory within Bashan
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Warm-Up Question • How do you define “compromise?” • In Christian life, is it good or bad?
Absalom • David’s third son. • Mother was Maacah • Maacah was daughter of Talmai • Talmai was the King of Geshur • Geshur • Territory within Bashan • Allotted to half-tribe of Manasseh • Across the Jordan River
Absalom • Bashan • Og – Amorite King – Defeated by Moses’ army (Deuteronomy 3) • Og means “gigantic” – Said to be a giant. • God says to Moses, “Don’t be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you, with his whole army and his land.” (Numbers 21:34) • Famous bed – 13 feet long, 6 feet wide, on display at Rabbah for a limited time (Deuteronomy 3:11)
Absalom • Back to Geshur… • “But the Israelites did not drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah, so they continue to live among the Israelites to this day.” (Joshua 13:13) • Geshur is an independent kingdom in David’s day. • David’s marriage to Maachah was likely strategic/diplomatic.
Condensation • How do you view Absalom’s proper place in David’s kingdom, knowing his bio? • Echoes from the past… • God ties in another Giant into David’s life! • Territory just short of the promised land. • Territory not fully cleansed of its former inhabitants – compromise…
Don’t let it go to your head… • “The hottest man in Israel.” • “In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish on him.” (2 Samuel 14:25) • And yet, he probably should have opted for the hair cut.
Amnon • Amnon • Eldest son of David • Son of Ahinoam • From Jezreel, Tribe of Issachar • Issachar the product of Leah hiring Jacob’s sexual favors via trade of Mandrakes to Rachel • Ish-sachar = “man of hire” • Possibly the former wife of Saul. • Amnon’s suitability for succession?
History Repeating Itself • Amnon is dysfunctional (ill) on account of his sexual desire for his half-sister. • Cousin Jonadab asks: “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard…” (2 Samuel 13:4) • Echoes Nathan: • “‘I anointed you king…I delivered you…I gave you your master’s house and wives…I gave you Israel and Judah…I would have given you even more…’”(2 Samuel 12:7-8) - paraphrased
History Repeating Itself • Hatches a plan for the express purpose of raping Tamar. • Tamar recognized the evil of this deed, offered to ask David for consent to marry. • Rape gives birth to hate. • “In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her…Get up and get out!”(2 Samuel 13:15)
" 'If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off before the eyes of their people. He has dishonored his sister and will be held responsible.”Leviticus 20:17
" 'Do not have sexual relations with the sister of either your mother or your father, for that would dishonor a close relative; both of you would be held responsible.”Leviticus 20:19
If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl's father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.”Deuteronomy 22:28-29
David’s Motivations • What penalty did David deserve for his previous sins? • Death (x2) – Lev. 20:10, Num. 35:30 • Although “furious” (13:21), this sin appears to be buried. • Absalom silences and shelters his sister. (v.20) • Absalom is silent but hateful. (v.22)
Escalation of Unchecked Sin • Rape + Suppression + 2 Years = Murder • Amnon should have been banished and required to marry Tamar. • Instead, Amnon is lost forever in death. • David gets the scare of his life on news that all of his sons had been killed. • Absalom, now guilty of capital offense, assumes his brother’s penalty in exile.
Nathan vs. Joab? • Joab orchestrates a Nathan-style allegory to persuade David to have Absalom return. • David consents, but requires Absalom never be in his presence. • Absalom burns Joab’s field to plead for help to return to his father. • Joab convinces David to allow Absalom back into his presence, reconciled.
The Bleeder • Absalom goes from humble exile to usurping the king in every way. • (2 Samuel 15) • 50 men run ahead of him • Intercepts legal representation • “Steals the hearts of Israel” through flattery • After 4 years, decides it’s high time to be king
Brief History of Time… • Absalom’s rebellion was a credible threat, thwarted by nothing short of God’s miraculous intervention. • The outcome? • David had to vacate his throne • 20,000 casualties • Absalom finally meets the fate prescribed by the law
Remorse • “If I had died instead of you.” • 2 Samuel 18:33 • [Your substitution here…] • “If I had…”
Discussion Time • How should David have known this was coming? • How do we know of the trials that are certain in our lives? • What motivation did David (we) have for diluting consequences? • What is the long-term price for diluting these consequences?
Personal Application • Where are you “holding back” and why? • What collateral impact does holding back have on your life? • What does God want you to deal with, decisively, today?
