Day 132: David and Absalom

 Today's readings: 2 Samuel 14, 1 Chronicles 18, and Psalm 14.

I. 2 Samuel 14 recounts how David tries to reconcile with Absalom. Joab brings a "wise woman" to tell a story which helps convince David to restore Absalom. His son returned, but David wouldn't see him as their relationship remained emotionally broken. Joab is made to help Absalom get an audience with the king. David visits and forgives him. Yet, there is no word of repentance by Absalom or genuine healing between father and son. We have unresolved family conflict and a superficial peace between David and Absalom that will quickly lead to problems.

II. 1 Chronicles 18 records the expansion of King David's kingdom after God established His covenant with him in the previous chapter. From what I see, it parallels much of what was told in 2 Samuel 8.

III. Psalm 14 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (some verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm that bemoans how godless fools devour God's faithful ones. The Psalmist is distressed by the moral depravity that surrounds him, but he is confident that a judgment is coming that will seize the wicked with "terror" and provide "refuge" for the oppressed poor. A similar version of this lament appears as Ps 53. Paul excerpts from the Greek LXX version of 14:1-3 to support the claim that Jews are captives to the power of sin, just as Gentiles are (Rom 3:10-12). He rightly understands that the Psalmist laments the prevalence of sin among fellow Israelites. (p. 841)

That's it for today!