Scripture Nugget 5.16.2017
Scripture Read 2 Samuel 15-19
Nugget 2 Samuel 15:1,6b, 10a, 12b
“After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run ahead of him. … so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel. … But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, … The conspiracy grew in strength, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.”
Devotional Thought: King David, Absalom’s father, allowed Absalom to return to Jerusalem after his killing of Amnon then fleeing to safety to escape punishment. David never confronted Absalom, never called him out for this sin, thus there was no confession. Because he has not been called out, Absalom continues his rebellion and does whatever he wants. The “rules” do not apply to him, so he does what he wants. In his own mind he makes himself king, his disobedience is growing out of control and leads to his own death. One of the ideas we can learn from this is; if ever we find ourselves exalting self over those appointed to lead, when we send secret messages, meet in secret, under the cover of darkness or behind closed doors to keep our plans from being known, something is amiss. While Absalom did have a legitimate complaint against Amnon for raping his sister Tamar; Absalom’s method of avenging that wrong and David’s never addressing nor punishing Absalom created in Absalom a rebelliousness that eventually led to his death. Holding each other accountable in love, requires confrontation. Once confronted confession and repentance are necessary. Forgiveness is given from a position of full knowledge; forgiveness is received with confession and repentance. “But God will not take away a life; he will devise plans so as not to keep an outcast banished forever from his presence.” (2 Sam 14:14b)