Week 8 - Day 2 - Bring Home the Banished

Today's Treasure:

"Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, He devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from Him"

2 Samuel 14: 14

Read 2 Samuel 13: 23 - 39

Reflect on yesterday's lesson. Two years had passed since Amnon's crime against Tamar. Think creatively. Describe what you think might have been going on during those years in the minds of the people listed.

Tamar: Feeling isolated, lonely and like no one cares about her pain

Amnon: gloating, self-centered and like he can have anything he wants at no cost to him

Absalom: growing hatred, devising a plan of revenge and biding his time

David: Just ignoring the situation

What possible evidence could you offer to support the following:

Absalom was counting on his father's unwillingness to attend his celebration

He invited David during a time that his father usually retreated - if his father were to attend, he would not be

able to carry out his plan. He invited his father so nothing would seem suspicious. If the father did not attend, it

was customary for the oldest son to attend in his place.

How did the first report David received differ from the truth?

Initially, David was told that all the king's sons had been killed

Only Amnon was killed

Notice Jonadab was the one who told the king not to be concerned because only Amnon was dead. How was Jonadab identified in 2 Samuel 13:3?

David's brother - a shrewd man

Do you see any evidence in verse 32 that the "shrewd" Jonadab might have played both sides of the conflict between Amnon and Absalom?

Yes, He told David that Absalom had planned to kill Amnon since the day Tamar was raped

When they returned, what was the condition of David's sons?

They were wailing beyond control

How does 2 Samuel 13 conclude?

Absalom fled to Geshur and stayed for three years

David longed to go to Absalom

When David finds out about his sons, he is grief stricken. He mourned for Absalom when he departed from him for three years.

Read 2 Samuel 14: 1 - 33

Why do you think Joab might have devised a method somewhat like a parable to get through to David?

Well, Nathan's parable certainly worked on David. A parable is a way to allow the person to see all sides of the story and their part in the story without pointing fingers directly at them. When you illustrate with a parable, the person doesn't become immediately defensive and is open to hearing you out.

You had an opportunity to see today's treasure in context. What does God devise ways to do?

He devises ways for a banished person to not remain estranged from Him

What was your response to David's actions in verse 24?

I can't imagine my child doing anything that would make me separate myself from him and not long to see his face. But, I am a mommy!!!

Briefly describe Absalom's appearance?

Well, the scripture is sure to point out that there was not one flaw in his appearance. As a matter of fact, it says that there was not another man in Israel so highly praised for his appearance. Can you imagine? I am very curious for a picture of this man...what about you? What would we have called him....McKingy?

How long did Absalom live in Jerusalem "without seeing the king's face"?

2 years

Why do you think Joab may have refused to come to Absalom when he summoned him?

Maybe he was afraid of disrespecting the king. The king had granted Joab's wishes of sending for Absalom, but refused to see him

Maybe Joab was doing it out of respect to the king.

Absalom finally got Joab's attention. He set his field on fire. From his method of getting attention, what general statement can you make about

Absalom at this point?

Can we say extremist? This guy doesn't do anything half-way. He didn't just beat his brother up for raping Tamar, he had him killed. When he wants to make

a point, he does it at any expense to others. I think he should have been more focused on being grateful that his father was willing to allow him to come home and

not remain in Geshur.

Was the meeting between David and Absalom what you expected or did you imagine their reunion differently?

I honestly expected David to be filled with anger towards Absalom and possibly put him to death. I did not expect him to embrace his son so willingly

after going two years without allowing him in his presence. I think it was very irresponsible of him to not give Absalom some punishment

Where will we live in heaven according to John 14:2?

In the Father's house

Fill in the following blank according to Revelation 22: 3 - 4

"No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads."

What a glorious day when we see His face

love all of you

I am off to chemo tomorrow...so be praying for me!!!

In Him

Tiffany