2 Samuel 15-17; Psalm 3, 63; Romans 1
The rebellion of Absalom stemmed from the deceitfulness of his heart. He was a capable person. Unfortunately, these abilities were directed by his cunning heart towards self-assertion. He constructs an entire system to seize power (2 Samuel 15:1-12).
Understanding that God permitted his son's rebellion because of his sin, David leaves Jerusalem without resistance. He does not want to fight against his son. Fleeing, he does not even take the ark with him, although the priests are ready to go with him, saying, "If I find favor in the Lord's eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place" (2 Samuel 15:25).
This was also David's attitude towards Shimei - "Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today" (2 Samuel 16:11-12).
Ahithophel's fate is also interesting. He was so accustomed to being influential that when Absalom rejected his counsel, he committed suicide, unable to bear the humiliation.
Even as God allowed extraordinary difficulties in David's life, He cared for him by prompting people to bring food to him and his men (2 Samuel 17:27-29). David likely describes this moment in Psalm 23 - "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
Psalm 3 describes David's situation when he is fleeing from the threat of his son, Absalom. He is in a very difficult position. Understanding that God is punishing him for his sin, David cannot fight his son as he fought the enemies of God's people. Trusting in God's protection is his only salvation—"But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high" (Psalm 3:3).
The same is described in Psalm 63. In the wilderness, David seeks God more than anything else. Unable to go to the sanctuary, he remembers God where he is, on his bed - "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings" (Psalm 63:7).
The Epistle to the Romans is one of the most significant parts of the New Testament. It presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ in detail.
The central text of the first chapter states that the Gospel is "the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16). This is followed by an explanation of what this power is and how it works.
First, the Gospel is necessary because people are threatened by God's wrath - "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness" (Romans 1:18).
Paul then explains how people suppress the truth by their wickedness and how God's wrath operates. This is happening even now - "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21). All people, having reason have a witness of God in nature sufficient to seek Him and be grateful to Him (Romans 1:19-20).
A spiral of ungodliness follows, pulling people into the abyss of sin. Three times, it is said here that in response to people's actions, "God gave them over." God allows those who do not seek Him to be consumed by their own passions.
Understanding that God permitted his son's rebellion because of his sin, David leaves Jerusalem without resistance. He does not want to fight against his son. Fleeing, he does not even take the ark with him, although the priests are ready to go with him, saying, "If I find favor in the Lord's eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place" (2 Samuel 15:25).
This was also David's attitude towards Shimei - "Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today" (2 Samuel 16:11-12).
Ahithophel's fate is also interesting. He was so accustomed to being influential that when Absalom rejected his counsel, he committed suicide, unable to bear the humiliation.
Even as God allowed extraordinary difficulties in David's life, He cared for him by prompting people to bring food to him and his men (2 Samuel 17:27-29). David likely describes this moment in Psalm 23 - "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
Psalm 3 describes David's situation when he is fleeing from the threat of his son, Absalom. He is in a very difficult position. Understanding that God is punishing him for his sin, David cannot fight his son as he fought the enemies of God's people. Trusting in God's protection is his only salvation—"But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high" (Psalm 3:3).
The same is described in Psalm 63. In the wilderness, David seeks God more than anything else. Unable to go to the sanctuary, he remembers God where he is, on his bed - "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings" (Psalm 63:7).
The Epistle to the Romans is one of the most significant parts of the New Testament. It presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ in detail.
The central text of the first chapter states that the Gospel is "the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16). This is followed by an explanation of what this power is and how it works.
First, the Gospel is necessary because people are threatened by God's wrath - "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness" (Romans 1:18).
Paul then explains how people suppress the truth by their wickedness and how God's wrath operates. This is happening even now - "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21). All people, having reason have a witness of God in nature sufficient to seek Him and be grateful to Him (Romans 1:19-20).
A spiral of ungodliness follows, pulling people into the abyss of sin. Three times, it is said here that in response to people's actions, "God gave them over." God allows those who do not seek Him to be consumed by their own passions.
Posted in Reading Bible Together