2 Samuel 15:10-12 - Absalom is king in Hebron

15:10

Having laid the groundwork, Absalom now enacts his plan to become king of Israel. Note that he was due to become king anyway as David’s son, but like the younger son in the parable of the Prodigal Son, he wanted his “inheritance” early. It is also like mankind in general. The Lord’s command in Genesis 1 was that we should rule over the earth, but we rebelled against God wanting to do it our way. Sothe people were to proclaim “Absalom is king in Hebron”.

15;11,12

Absalom was a schemer, and had invited two hundred men from Jerusalem under false pretences. Absalom also sent for Ahithophel, David’s adviser. Absalom’s conspiracy was well under way. It had been carefully planned and was gaining strength.

Mark 4:24-26 - Consider carefully what you hear

4:24,25

These verses refer to how we receive the word of God. First we need to consider it carefully. We do not just let something wash over us. Instead we pay close attention. “With the measure you use ...” The lens through which we look at the word affects how we receive it. If we look at it through self-interest, or the eyes of the prosperity gospel then we will never receive it properly. If we look at it through a man centred lens we will never understand it. We need to approach the word from a God-centred perspective, we need to be Christ focused. When we do that we will gain ever increasing understanding. If we adopt the wrong approach then “even what we have will be taken away”. 

4:26

In the parable of the sower we learn that there will be different responses to the word, ranging from total indifference to wonderful and fruitful acceptance. Now we learn more about what happens. First there is a man scattering seed. The word does need to be sown. As it says in Rom 10:14, how can they hear without someone preaching to them. Our actions do need to be consistent with our words, but words are essential, and used again and again by God, just read the Bible. The oft quoted phrase “Preach the gospel at all times, use words if necessary”. It is wrongly attributed to St Francis of Assisi. Whoever it originated from, it is absolute nonsense. Words are necessary, so get over it.

2 Samuel 15:5-9 - So he went to Hebron

15:5,6

Absalom also behaved in a very obsequious manner towards them as well, pretending to be very humble. Absalom was a snake, there was no truth in his sayings nor his manner, he was only trying to gain power. However, “he stole the hearts of the people of Israel”. We should note that the “people of Israel” were very stupid to be taken in by all this. We all have a duty to assess carefully the claims of those who attack the current leadership, promising to be oh so much better.

15:7-9

“At the end of four years ...” A further illustration of the fact that Absalom bided his time until the right moment. Absalom made up a story about having made a vow to go to Hebron if he was brought back to Jerusalem. While in Jerusalem it seems his movements were somewhat restricted as he needed David’s permission to go to Hebron. David grants him this permission. David has no insight when it comes to dealing with Absalom.

Mark 4:22,23 - Whatever is hidden

4:22

The things that are hidden refer to the mystery of the gospel. For many centuries the mystery was hidden, but now it is revealed. It is revealed in Christ, and in and through us, or rather Christ in us. We are meant to let the light of Christ shine in and through our lives. The church and Christians are not meant to be hidden away, but are to be made visible to all. 

4:23 

“If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” Not everyone has ears to hear. The parable of the sower is an illustration of this. But some do “have ears to hear”, and we have then we should take in the full gospel, all of it. We need to understand how the gospel works, how God works.

2 Samuel 15:1-4 - If only I were appointed judge

15:1

Absalom was a calculating man, prepared to wait for the right moment, rather than rushing into things. So over the course of time he built up a small private army of chariots and horses, along with fifty men. 

15:2-4

As well as building up military resources, Absalom also built up political support. So each day in the morning he would wait at the road leading to the city gate. Some people came with a complaint to put before the king. (Note that there was access to the king.) Absalom would engage in conversation with the complainant saying their  claims were valid, and if Absalom were king he would ensure that they got justice, but that with the current king they would not get justice. This is the ploy of all opposition parties. The same tactic can sometimes be used within churches as well.

Mark 4:20,21 - You put it on its stand

4:20

Finally we get good news! There is good soil, and when this receives the word it accepts the word, grows and is abundantly fruitful. All these four examples indicate that the state of our heart is crucial. This is why Prov 4:23 tells us to “guard our hearts with all diligence”, for it is the wellspring of life. We need to watch and nurture our hearts. Now all this might seem to indicate that  how responsive we are to the gospel is determined by the condition of our hearts, rather than the grace of God. It seems to me that we often pose a false dichotomy between the grace and sovereignty of God, and our responsibility. The Bible seems to have no such problem.

4:21

Jesus now introduces an analogy. If you have a lamp the one thing you definitely do not do with it is put it under a bowl (or under a bushel, as in KJV) or bed. The whole purpose is to put it on a stand, to make it visible so that its light can shine, and bring light to its surroundings. 

2 Samuel 14:28-33 - The king summoned Absalom

14:28-30

Absalom, though living in Jerusalem for two years, had not seen the king, and he was now getting rather fed up with this state of affairs. It was Joab who had previously persuaded the king to bring him back to Jerusalem, so he called on Joab again, expecting him to sort out the situation. Joab, however, refused to come. Absalom tried again, but Joab still ignored the call. Absalom, being rather self-centred and stupid set fire to Joab’s field, knowing that this would get his attention.

14:31-33

Absalom’s final ruse had the desired effect, and Joab did go to him demanding to know why his field had been set alight. Absalom’s reply demonstrates his self centeredness. He thought that Joab should come immediately when he received Absalom’s call. Absalom expresses his dissatisfaction with the situation. Joab does go to the king, and the king summons Absalom. Absalom bowed down before the king, and the king kissed Absalom. This latter act signified that the king now accepted Absalom. Though the whole situation is very formal.