STOLEN HEARTS
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 15
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
On the east side of the Old City of Jerusalem is the Kidron Valley, where thousands of graves are located. The bodies were placed with the feet pointed toward the Eastern Gate in the wall of the city, with the expectation that at the resurrection they would stand up and be facing that gate into which Messiah will enter. In today’s reading, King David escaped through this valley toward the east and the Jordan River, 25 miles away.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 15:31
Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
Now, David prays. He’s in big trouble. From Chapter 12 onward, David’s story, and that of his family, reads like a horror novel. There is incest, murder, palace intrigue, outright treason, and civil war. David’s much-loved son, Absalom, after four years of political manipulation, makes his move to seize power, usurping his father’s throne. To King David, nothing was more threatening than that Ahithophel, David’s most trusted and wise counsellor, was part of the plot. David reasoned that if he could just outwit Ahithophel’s counsel, Absalom’s rule would be shortened and he would return to his throne. It’s worthwhile to note how David sets out to accomplish this. Firstly, David prays, not against Ahithophel personally, but against the counsel Ahithophel is giving to Absalom. Secondly, David composes the 3rd Psalm, David’s prayer and confession of confidence in God. To read David’s own words, click here.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for wisdom. May I learn to always put my trust in You, worshipping You and confessing my confidence in You, even when I may not feel like it. Please give me grace to back up my prayers with obedience. In the Name of the One who always does this, the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
For about six months of the three years that Norma-Jean, our four little children, and I lived in Deep River, Ontario, the Atomic Energy of Canada’s residential area, we lived in half of a double house. In the other half of the house lived Amnon Gilat, along with his wife and son who was named Ittai. This is the same name as found in our reading. Amnon was an Israeli nuclear physicist on an exchange program between Israel and Canada. Mrs. Gilat had entered and won the annual Israel Bible knowledge contest. We had some great Bible studies together. I asked them one day as to why they had named their son Ittai. Ittai’s Mom quoted verse 21 of today’s reading and said that they hoped and prayed that their little Ittai would grow up to be as loyal to Israel and its legitimate government as the Ittai who was totally loyal to King David. My son, Reynold, who is our photographer for this blog, and Ittai played together almost every day when they were two years old.
Also, I can’t help contrasting David’s entrance into Jerusalem from the opposite side of the city to his departure now. He entered with singing and dancing (2 Samuel 6:12-15), and now departs and “All the country wept with a loud voice.” Sin really messes everything up! No wonder God hates sin, but He loves sinners (Romans 5:6-8).
Yours for repentance and reconciliation with God, which results in rejoicing,
David
P.S. Perhaps I should point out that this chapter gives an example of a mistake in copying the original manuscript. In 15:7, it infers that Absalom was stealing the hearts of the people over a period of 40 years. We know that David’s reign spanned only 40 years. So what’s the problem? Perhaps 100 years after the original historically correct manuscript had been written, a copyist’s pen slipped and made the number 40 rather than 4. One little dot on the manuscript could’ve caused this and future scribes continued to copy a mistake. Josephus, the Jewish historian, may have gotten it right when he wrote that Absalom was four years undermining David’s rule and manipulating the people into rebellion. This in no way changes the “inerrancy” and “verbal inspiration” of the original writing. After sharing a scribal mistake, I need a lift. I found a rather irreverent piece of artwork of David entering Jerusalem with the Ark of the Covenant. If it looked anything like this, no wonder David’s wife, the daughter of Saul, was embarrassed at her husband’s gyrations (notice her in the window). Enjoy!
My mornings begin about my 6 a.m. After thanking God for my breath and my new day I head for my pad to read your mornings word.
It thrills me to have this ‘fresh bread ‘ each day. The readings always lead me to other places in scripture. The pictures take my on a journey i love. I am constantly learning and remembering similarities in our lives from the personal notes.
You continue to be a blessing, I thank God for your continued wisdom for our nation.
Amen Brian …I too agree the photo’s take us on a journey, exemplifying the scriptures.
Amen Brian and Irene!
David fell to the lowliest places and it was there that he made the most beautiful connection to God in the Psalms. Isn’t that always the way? Praise God! Thank You for bringing us to humility and for Your amazing grace! Amen, amen, and amen, Ron and David! Blessings fellow saints in the Lord!
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3 ESV
Lauren Daigle – Trust In You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_aVFVveJNs
Thank you Pastor David for your faithfulness in writing this blog everyday, I enjoy your comments., prayers and today a little humour.. I also thank Ron, Ann and Reynold for their participation. I hope you and your family as well as all blog friends have a Blessed Easter weekend. . I am looking forward to Sunday to celebrate our risen Lord. Hallelujah Amen and Amen!!!!
Yes, thank you from me too!
Good morning David,
Always enjoying my bible readings with you. Thank you so much for your faithfulness.
Enjoyed your humour this morning with David dancing in the street with the Ark of the Covenant.
Wishing you and all of your beautiful family a wonderful and blessed Easter.
Our Lord and Saviour is ALIVE!!!!
Thank you David,again.How deeply hurt David must have been that his own son could be so treacherous,let alone his other close advisers but,he acted as a king and father to leave,for now,to avoid bloodshed,if possible.I hope he took comfort in realizing who his true friends were.I’ll share an Easter poem today.God bless
Am I worthy
Am I worthy to touch His feet,
Can I ever stand up to greet
He who died upon the cross
Knowing my sins would be His loss.
When I look at the cross I see,
His wounded face looking at me,
But through the pain He grins
With a love that pardons sins.
His crown of thorns I wish to bear
To prove to Him the love I share,
For the love it took to die for us
Is still in need of complete redress.
So when we think we are kings
Remember He of holy things,
Who was so lowly yet most high,
And soon is coming in the sky.
GW(Bill) Marshall/(2011~2012)
I appreciate, not only your words of wisdom, but also your sense of humour. particularly the portrayal of David dancing with all his might, naked:)
Perhaps Absalom would have been more loving to his father, had David been there for him. How sad!
Agreed, Irene.
Prayer request for an old friend from high school, Robynn. Lord God, you know what Robynn’s needs are. Holy Spirit, lift her up, with light and love, that she may feel the weight of troubles fall from her shoulders. Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and ye shall find. For You are our rock and our redeemer and in You, we find strength to face each day and overcome. Lord God bring blessings into Robynn’s life and healing where she and her loved ones need it the most. For You are the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. And it is to You, that we give all the praise and glory. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen!
Agreeing in prayer with you Beverlee for your friend Robynn and her loved ones, in Jesus Name!!