(1) Absalom premeditated murder
a. v.23-27 Absalom pressed David twice v.25, 27 and finally he had David sent Amnon to attend his celebration.
(BKC) He hosted a festival to celebrate the time of sheepshearing, a custom observed in Israel from earliest times (Gen. 38:12–13; 1 Sam. 25:2, 8)
b. Jonadab, who knew both Absalom and Amnon assured David that only Amnon was killed by Absalom.
v.32b This is what Absalom has talked about from the day that Amnon humiliated his sister Tamar.
Absalom had planned for his revenge for 2 years.
(2) David knew that the storm was coming
David knew about the rape of Amnon and he probably could predict the reaction of Absalom towards Amnon.
13:21 Now King David heard about all these things and was very angry.13:22 But Absalom said nothing to Amnon, either bad or good, yet Absalom hated Amnon because he had humiliated his sister Tamar.
That was why when Absalom invited Amnon to his celebration David hesitated about that,
13:26 Then Absalom said, “If you will not go, then let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king replied to him, “Why should he go with you?”
Therefore, David knew that Absalom would do some kinds of revenge to Amnon. On the other hand, that tragedy was predicted long before that:
Therefore, David knew that Absalom would do some kinds of revenge to Amnon. On the other hand, that tragedy was predicted long before that:
12:10 So now the sword will never depart from your house. For you have despised me by taking the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own!’
As a father, there is no other pain than the loss of your own child. David lost 3. Tamar was raped and abandoned, Amnon was murdered and Absalom fled.
As a father, there is no other pain than the loss of your own child. David lost 3. Tamar was raped and abandoned, Amnon was murdered and Absalom fled.
v.36b The king and all his servants wept loudly as well.
v.37 And David grieved over his son every day. v.39 The king longed to go to Absalom, for he had since been consoled over the death of Amnon
Reflection: Israel was the people of God, and David was the model king of the nation. Even for him, God mandated the penalty when he sinned. David went through one of his toughest moments when that happened. Today, God had forgiven our sins in Jesus Christ and He bore the penalty of our transgression which is death. Thank God for saving us and excusing us from the heart-broken penalties.
Audrey
2024
v.23-29
B:
1. The resemblances of what Absalom did and what David did in ch 11
A. He waited 2 years until a festive occasion and invited all the sons/servants to go, but in fact his target was Amnon v.23-26. He tried to make it a normal invitation and avoid any suspiciousness from David. It was like David who sent Uriah back and asked him about the war and Joab had Uriah went to the dangerous place of the war with other soldiers.
B. He made Amon drunk and was hopeful that he would be off guard for attack v.28. (David got Uriah drunk and hoped that he would relaxed and went home).
C. Absalom instructed his servants to strike down Amon and told them to be strong and courageous. Probably killing a prince was not something his servant would be dare to do. And, he servants did to Amnon exactly what he had instructed them v.29. (Joab murdered Uriah according to David although that was against the Law).
2. Absalom was persistent in asking the presence of Amon from David, even though he knew that David would not agree easily. His persistence was a cover up of his plan.
1st round: Absalom invited the king 24 and he declined 25a. Then Absalom pressed the king 25b to attend his party v.25.
2nd round: David declined again 25c, Absalom asked for Amnon. Then David was suspicious.
26 The king replied to him, “Why should he go with you?”
3rd round: Absalom pressed him, then David sent Amnon 27
(EBC v.26) He probably realizes that David, knowing that Absalom may intend to harm Amnon because of what he did to Tamar, will not accede to his latter request any more than he did to the former. On the other hand, perhaps Absalom hopes that the two years that have elapsed since the rape have dimmed the event in his father’s mind. In addition, Absalom refers to Amnon as “my brother” (only here in the entire chapter), apparently to assuage whatever lingering fears David may have.
R:
1. David was angry but he did not do anything to Amon, and that allowed the sin of murder grew in Absalom's heart. When the leader sinned he left foothold to Satan. Pray that I will not ignore my responsibility.
2. The sin of murder was not willing to let God and His authority to take care of punishment. Absalom waited for 2 years and made his move. He repeated the sin of David and as a reader we know clearly this is a punishment to David from God. In addition, he was crafty and trick even David, the origin of the cover-up sins. Be reminded about the consequence of sin.
v.30-39
B:
1. The crafty Jonadab reappearance after v.3.
While David and all his servants thought that all sons had killed, only Jonadab knew that it was only Amnon was dead.
32 ...For only Amnon is dead. This is what Absalom has talked about from the day that Amnon humiliated his sister Tamar.
35 Jonadab said to the king, “Look! The king’s sons have come! It’s just as I said!”
And he was correct when the situation unfolded. All the other sons of king came back. Jonadab claimed his credit and said. However, since he had known about this he should have intervened for the murder like what the wise women said in 2 Sam 14:6.
He was the partner in Amon's rape to Tamar. If Absalom knew about that he would have been killed, too. But, he now acted as a person who know very well what was going on in David's household, but in fact he should have intervened the murder.
R: Jonadab was the assistant or someone who should have stopped the crime/sin in both the rape and the murder. Am I like that?
2. The repeated phrase:
Only Amon is dead v.32, 33, 39
David, his sons, and all his servants wailed, wept and wept loudly v.36
David grieved over Absalom every day, he longed to go to Absalom v.37, 38
R: This passage was not only the consequence of Amon's sin, but also the consequence of David's sin.
2 S 10: 10 So now the sword will never depart from your house. For you have despised me by taking the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own!’ 11 This is what the LORD has said: ‘I am about to bring disaster on you from inside your own household!
The consequence of sin is horrible and involved the innocent. We are cursed because of our sins, but thank God for Jesus who redeemed us from the curse. Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)
Pray that the consequences of sin is real in my eyes when I was tempted to sin by despised the word of God.
Q:
1/What judgments (chap. 12) are fulfilled here?
2 S 10: 10 So now the sword will never depart from your house. For you have despised me by taking the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own!’ 11 This is what the LORD has said: ‘I am about to bring disaster on you from inside your own household!
2/What kind of influence is David as a father and leader?
He bring curse to his family, and his sin in adultery might influence Amnon in raping his half-sister. His murder to Uriah might influence Absalom in murdering Amnon and his cover up to Amon and David. (see notes above about the resemblance btw Absalom and David).
3/What is the character and quality of Jonadab's friendship to Amnon? What do verses 32-33 indicate?
Jonadab knew what he meant even Amnon only said he "in love" with Tamar v.4. He was a clever man, but the wrong kind of cleverness. He got him a proposal of how to rape her v.5-6. He seemed like a helper to Amnon, but again the wrong kind of help.
In v.32-33, he had no emotion over the dead of Amnon. There is no friendship to Amnon.
4/What is the quality of your advice to friends Why?
My advice may be in advantage of gaining people's favor to me. Looking good only on the surface so that I have face before others, a better image.
**5/What weakness in David contributes to the death of Amnon?
He did not confess his sins of adultery, cover up, lying, and murder in front of his family nor taught them what was the will of the LORD. He did not punish Amnon before Absalom took the justice in his hands. He let Absalom invited Amnon to go even when he was suspicious about his motive.
6/What are the consequences of Amnon's death for Absalom?
He fled to his maiden grandfather and remained there for 3 years.
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