Day 133: Persevering in Trust

Today's readings: 2 Samuel 15, 1 Chronicles 19-20, and Psalm 3.

I. In 2 Samuel 15 the family ruptures as Absalom leads a rebellion against his father, King David. Absalom usurps the throne, and David is forced to flee from Jerusalem. He does manage to place Hushai in the palace as a spy. So we have political intrigue, betrayal, rebellion, espionage, and David's humble trust in God, all of which together would actually make a good movie if done right!

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on this:

In an act of trust, David commands the priests to return the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He knows that he will be in the Lord's presence again if he wills it... All of David's issues with Absalom started with his inaction. We need the Lord to help us do what we need to do, when we need to. (p. 28)

II. 1 Chronicles 19 recounts the war between Israel under David and the Ammonites and their Syrian allies. It parallels 2 Samuel 10.

In the next chapter, Rabbah is captured, and there are victories over Philistine giants. These events are paralleled in 2 Samuel 11-12. Interestingly enough, though, the sordid Bathsheba Affair is omitted in Chronicles. 

III. Psalm 3 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm. It opens with a complaint, followed by words of confidence in the Lord's protection and a confession of his power to save... Psalm 3 is set against the background of 2 Sam 15-18, which recounts how David was run out of Jerusalem while his disgruntled son, Absalom, seized control of his throne for a time. (p. 834)

That's all for today!