seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Malaysia
seen from China
seen from France
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Russia
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from Argentina
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from Singapore
seen from Argentina
seen from United States
seen from Germany
2 Samuel 18
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com 2 Samuel 18 2 Samuel 18:1 David reviewed his people and appointed commanders of thousands and of hundreds over them. 2 Samuel 18:2 He then sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai of Gath. The king said to the troops, “I must also march out with you.” 2 Samuel 18:3 “You must not go!”…
View On WordPress
2 SAMUEL S.O.A.P. ~ CHAPTER 18
Wednesday, 7/16/24
SCRIPTURE:
But Zadok’s son Ahimaaz again said to Joab, “I don’t care what happens, just let me run after the Cushite too.” “Why do you want to go, son?” Joab asked. “You’ll get no reward for going.” ~ 2 Samuel 18:22
OBSERVATION:
Well, I think you might guess where this one is going (if you'll pardon the pun...)
I get distracted by something or someone...
...know what I ought to do, ought to say...
...ought NOT to do or say...
...and yet, find myself running "after the Cushite..."
...knowing I'll get no reward for going...
APPLICATION:
Think about why (and where) I want to go...
Care what happens!
Run after God's will for my life!
That's the reward...
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father - thank You for Your patience and mercy and grace that always calls me back when I take off on my own path, following my own selfish wants and willfulness... May Your Holy Spirit continue to remind me to stop and consider what I'm pursuing, and to remember Jesus's sacrifice that allows me to look forward to standing in Your presence, giving You the glory and praise You deserve above and beyond anything or anyone else... In His Name, and for Your coming Kingdom...
“I don’t care what happens, just let me run after the Jesus!"
𝖌
<))><
An Attitude of Ingratitude
19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me run and carry news to the king that the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies.” 20 And Joab said to him, “You are not to carry news today. You may carry news another day, but today you shall carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before…
If You Won’t, I Will
1 Then David mustered the men who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David sent out the army, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the men, “I myself will also go out with you.” 3 But the men…
Absalom Killed
1 Then David numbered the people that were with him, and set over them captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds.
2 And David sent forth the third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and the third part under the hand of Abishai Joab’s brother, the son of Zeruiah: and the other third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the King said unto the people, I will go with you myself also.
3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not regard us, neither will they pass for us, though half of us were slain: but thou art now worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succor us out of the city.
4 Then the king said unto them, What seemeth you best, that I will do. So the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai, and Ittai, saying, Entreat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. And all the people heard when the King gave all the Captains charge concerning Absalom.
6 So the people went out into the field to meet Israel, and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim:
7 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David: so there was a great slaughter that day, even of twenty thousand.
8 ¶ For the battle was scattered over all the country: and the wood devoured much more people that day than did the sword.
9 ¶ Now Absalom met the servants of David, and Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule came under a great thick oak: and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth: and the mule that was under him went away.
10 And one that saw it, told Joab, saying, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
11 Then Joab said unto the man that told him, And hast thou indeed seen? why then didst thou not there smite him to the ground, and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle?
12 Then the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not lay mine hand upon the King’s son: for in our hearing the King charged thee, and Abishai, and Ittai, saying, Beware, lest any touch the young man Absalom.
13 If I had done it, it had been the danger of my life: for nothing can be hid from the King: yea, thou thyself wouldest have been against me.
14 Then said Joab, I will not thus tarry with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
15 And ten servants that bare Joab’s armor, compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
16 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a mighty great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
18 Now Absalom in his life time had taken and reared him up a pillar, which is in the King’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name, and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place.
19 ¶ Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, I pray thee, let me run and bear the King tidings that the Lord hath delivered him out of the hand of his enemies.
20 And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not be the messenger today, but thou shalt bear tidings another time, but today thou shalt bear none: for the King’s son is dead.
21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go, tell the King, what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok again to Joab, What, I pray thee, if I also run after Cushi? And Joab said, Wherefore now wilt thou run my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings to bring?
23 Yet what if I run? Then he said unto him, Run. So Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overwent Cushi.
24 Now David sat between the two gates. And the watchman went to the top of the gate upon the wall, and lift up his eyes, and saw, and behold, a man came running alone.
25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the King said, If he be alone, he bringeth tidings. And he came apace, and drew near.
26 And the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called unto the potter, and said, Behold, another man runneth alone. And the King said, He also bringeth tidings.
27 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. Then the King said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the King, Peace be with thee: and he fell down to the earth upon his face before the King, and said, Blessed be the Lord thy God, who hath shut up the men that lift up their hands against my Lord the King.
29 And the King said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the King’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what.
30 And the King said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here: so he turned aside and stood still.
31 And behold, Cushi came, and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the King: for the Lord hath delivered thee this day out of the hand of all that rose against thee.
32 Then the King said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the King, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
33 And the King was moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom: would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son. — 2 Samuel 18 | Geneva Bible (GNV) Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 12:6; Genesis 14:17; Genesis 24:27; Exodus 18:25; Deuteronomy 21:20-21; Joshua 17:15; Judges 5:31; Judges 7:16; 2 Samuel 2:28; 2 Samuel 13:29; 2 Samuel 13:34; 2 Samuel 14:19-20; 2 Samuel 15:36; 2 Samuel 19:1; 2 Samuel 20:9; 2 Samuel 21:17; 1 Kings 1:42; Psalm 45:5; Psalm 144:10; Daniel 4:19; Romans 9:3
The Defeat and Death of Absalom
1 Then David mustered the men who were with him, and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David sent forth the army, one third under the command of Jo′ab, one third under the command of Abi′shai the son of Zeru′iah, Jo′ab’s brother, and one third under the command of It′tai the Gittite. And the king said to the men, “I myself will also go out with you.” 3 But the men said, “You shall not go out. For if we flee, they will not care about us. If half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore it is better that you send us help from the city.” 4 The king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.” So the king stood at the side of the gate, while all the army marched out by hundreds and by thousands. 5 And the king ordered Jo′ab and Abi′shai and It′tai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Ab′salom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Ab′salom.
6 So the army went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was fought in the forest of E′phraim. 7 And the men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the slaughter there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. 8 The battle spread over the face of all the country; and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword.
9 And Ab′salom chanced to meet the servants of David. Ab′salom was riding upon his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, and his head caught fast in the oak, and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on. 10 And a certain man saw it, and told Jo′ab, “Behold, I saw Ab′salom hanging in an oak.” 11 Jo′ab said to the man who told him, “What, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have been glad to give you ten pieces of silver and a girdle.” 12 But the man said to Jo′ab, “Even if I felt in my hand the weight of a thousand pieces of silver, I would not put forth my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abi′shai and It′tai, ‘For my sake protect the young man Ab′salom.’ 13 On the other hand, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.” 14 Jo′ab said, “I will not waste time like this with you.” And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Ab′salom, while he was still alive in the oak. 15 And ten young men, Jo′ab’s armor-bearers, surrounded Ab′salom and struck him, and killed him.
16 Then Jo′ab blew the trumpet, and the troops came back from pursuing Israel; for Jo′ab restrained them. 17 And they took Ab′salom, and threw him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones; and all Israel fled every one to his own home. 18 Now Ab′salom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself the pillar which is in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance”; he called the pillar after his own name, and it is called Ab′salom’s monument to this day.
David Hears of Absalom’s Death
19 Then said Ahi′ma-az the son of Zadok, “Let me run, and carry tidings to the king that the Lord has delivered him from the power of his enemies.” 20 And Jo′ab said to him, “You are not to carry tidings today; you may carry tidings another day, but today you shall carry no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Then Jo′ab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Jo′ab, and ran. 22 Then Ahi′ma-az the son of Zadok said again to Jo′ab, “Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite.” And Jo′ab said, “Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the tidings?” 23 “Come what may,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahi′ma-az ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.
24 Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone. 25 And the watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there are tidings in his mouth.” And he came apace, and drew near. 26 And the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings tidings.” 27 And the watchman said, “I think the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahi′ma-az the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good tidings.”
28 Then Ahi′ma-az cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth, and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.” 29 And the king said, “Is it well with the young man Ab′salom?” Ahi′ma-az answered, “When Jo′ab sent your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was.” 30 And the king said, “Turn aside, and stand here.” So he turned aside, and stood still.
David Mourns for Absalom
31 And behold, the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, “Good tidings for my lord the king! For the Lord has delivered you this day from the power of all who rose up against you.” 32 The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Ab′salom?” And the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be like that young man.” 33 And the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, “O my son Ab′salom, my son, my son Ab′salom! Would I had died instead of you, O Ab′salom, my son, my son!” — 2 Samuel 18 | Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 12:6; Genesis 14:17; Genesis 24:27; Exodus 18:25; Joshua 17:15; Judges 7:16; 1 Samuel 4:10; 1 Samuel 18:7; 1 Samuel 25:26; 2 Samuel 2:28; 2 Samuel 13:29; 2 Samuel 14;19-20; 2 Samuel 19:1; 1 Kings 1:42; 2 Kings 4:26; 2 Kings 9:17; Psalm 45:5; Psalm 144:10; Jeremiah 51:31; Daniel 4:19; Romans 9:3
The Contradicting Love For A Narcissist
The Contradicting Love For A Narcissist
. Is it possible to love a narcissist while at the same time being absolutely devastated by the path they have chosen including the possible impact on you? When I say “love”, I am not referring to the romantic notion, but the most core definition of love – God’s type of love. To answer this, let’s look at two examples in the Bible. . Absalom was a narcissist and tried to overthrow his father…
View On WordPress
