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Reflections on My Daily Bible Reading Tuesday­­­­, May 11, 2010

Today’s Scripture: 2nd Samuel 15-19

Things to remember in today’s reading:

  • Absalom conspires against his father David and proclaims himself king.
  • David flees from Jerusalem to escape Absalom.
  • Absalom consults with Ahithophel and Hushai and then convenes a war council. Hushai’s allegiance remains with David while Ahithophel deserts to side with Absalom.
  • David arrives at Mahanaim and musters his men to battle Absalom’s forces
  • Absalom dies in battle and David grieves bitterly over his death
  • David returns to Jerusalem but there are still occasions for division as Nathan had prophesied (12:10). The men of Israel accuse the men of Judah of “privatizing the king” (ESV Study Bible).

Things God is teaching me in today’s reading:

  • Absalom’s self-exalting pride stands in contrast to David’s humility. If Psalm 3 is David’s response to this occasion, as some suggest, it is further evidence of David’s dependence on and confidence in the Lord.
  • Family turmoil can bring unexpected burdens that can “cloud our vision” to our responsibilities. “First he lost Absalom’s love and loyalty, and now he has lost Absalom’s life and all hope of reconciliation.” – ESV Study Bible)
  • The consequences of sin are many times long-reaching in their impact. The continuing division that Nathan predicted rears it’s head again in 19:8b-15 when factions from Israel and Judah debate the validity of David’s return to the throne and in 19:41-43 when they dispute about their involvement in the agreement to restore the kingdom to David.

Things to act on in today’s reading:

  • I will examine my life for areas where I may have allowed pride to sneak in
  • I will review daily, weekly and long-range plans for the training up of my children
  • I will develop a study around the theme of “None of Self and All of Thee” (song with lyrics by Theodore Monrod-1874)

Things to pray about in today’s reading:

  • Lord, help me to humbly serve like David and especially like Jesus
  • Lord, help me to “begin with the end in mind” in my approach to all things in life, understanding the far-reaching consequences my actions may have.
  • Lord, help me to teach my sons to respect authority; for You as the One True God with all authority and right to command obedience (John 17:1-3); for “governing authorities” and “leaders” (Romans 13:1-7; Hebrews 13:7); and for their mother and I as the “guardians” entrusted with their precious souls and with responsibility to train them up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).

Thanks for reading with me dear friend. Have a blessed day!!

— Randy Sexton

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