From Adam to Abram

 1 Chronicle 1:1-27 

Adam, Seth, Enosh, 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah.  The sons of Noah:Shem, Ham and Japheth. 

Joktan was the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Obal,Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah and Jobab. All these were sons of Joktan, Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,  Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, and Abram (that is, Abraham).

Why?

The history of human beings began from Adm until Abraham, the beginning of the family of the Lord. 

How?

Remember where we came from? All of us came from the same ancestor Adam and Abraham.

I have sinned; I, the shepherd, have done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? let your hand fall on me and my family

2 Samuel 24:1-25

Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

So the king said to Joab and the army commanders[a] with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.”

But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”

After they had gone through the entire land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.

Joab reported the number of the fighting men to the king: In Israel there were eight hundred thousand able-bodied men who could handle a sword, and in Judah five hundred thousand.

David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”

Before David got up the next morning, the word of the Lord had come to Gad the prophet, David’s seer: “Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’”

David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”

three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land?

So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the Lord, “I have sinned; I, the shepherd, have done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall on me and my family.”

So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels[e] of silver for them. David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered his prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

Why?

The evil mind came into the heart of David, he was proud of his kingdom so he tried to take a census of Israel and Judah. 

Joab was smart and asked David not to do it, but he could not stop the command of the king, David.

There punishment David chose the one is harmless to him. After many people died from the plague, David regrated, but it was too late.

David is a shepherd of his people, and his people have not done wrong, it was David who did wrong.

Everyone is selfish and likes to treat me better than others.

The Lord allowed satan to attack David like he attacked Joab, to test the heart of David.

All of the people belong to the Lord, David took a census of Israel and Judah. It is a proud mind, Take a census of Israel always ordered by the Lord when they got out of Egypt.

How?

Be humble and love others around me. I am a servant of the Lord without the kindness and mercy of the Lord coming upon me, I am nothing.

David’s Mighty Warriors

2 Samuel 23:18-39

Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.

Among the Thirty were: ...and Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all.

Why?

Here list the record and their name to memory what they had done for David and this country Israel, because they shed blood and were brave and with the blessing of the Lord, this kingdom of David could be built.

How?

When I have done something I have to remember who helped, encouraged, and blessed me. The Lord is the first, then my family and my colleagues.

Surely God would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part

 2 Samuel 23:1-17

If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part.

When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’

But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,   which are not gathered with the hand. Whoever touches thorns  uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;   they are burned up where they lie.”

These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three. Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite.  

So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.

Why?

Three mighty warriors were Josheb-Basshebeth, Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite.

They even went through the Philistine lines to draw water from the well and carried it back to David. David would not drink it. It is like their blood.

David declared the right and evil people and their consequences.

How?

David knew he and his family were not good enough, but the Lord chose him and made him an everlasting covenant, so David arranged and secured every part. Same as me, it is the salvation of the Lord that comes upon me, so I can do everything and live until now. 

You make your saving help my shield; your help has made me great

2 Samuel 22:36-51 

You make your saving help my shield;  your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.

You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes.

The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.

He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.

Why?

David remembered that the Lord had done great things for him.

It is the Lord chose David to be his servant and David did his best to follow the Lord.

How?

Remember God's love and mercy on me, and honor the Holy name of the Lord.

You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light

2 Samuel 22:17-35

He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support.
20 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

“The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I am not guilty of turning from my God.

You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

“The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me.Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.

“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord?  And who is the Rock except our God?

Why?

Because David has experienced great salvation from the Lord, so David wrote this song to praise the Lord.

God is my lamp either to show the way in my life.

On the day of my disaster, the Lord is my support.

I can not say I am clean or righteous, I have to confess my sins and proud heart. May salvation and love come upon me at every moment.

God is my rock and my refuge, no one can compare with Him.

How?

I need to make closer to my Lord, may my heart more closer to listen the word of the Lord!

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock

2 Samuel 22;1-16

David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—  from violent people you save me.

I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies. The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears. 

Smoke rose from his nostrils;  consuming fire came from his mouth,  burning coals blazed out of it.

Out of the brightness of his presence bolts of lightning blazed forth.

Why?

David experienced the greatness of the Lord saved his life and helped him be the king of Israel. So David wrote the song to praise the Lord.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God is my rock, my refuge, and my shield, and the horn of my salvation.

Burning coals blazed out of it + bolts of lightning blazed forth. this is the power of the Lord. Described in our understanding. 

How?

Praise with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength. For the Lord is my great king and savior.

The Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them

 2 Samuel 21:1-22

During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.”

The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) 

“What do you want me to do for you?” David asked.

They answered the king, “As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord’s chosen one.”

So the king said, “I will give them to you.”

The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul. But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab,[a] whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.

They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.

Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.”

These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

Why?

The Lord remembers everyone who swore, so the famine happened.

David did as the Gibeonites said, let seven men live to repay the Gibeonites' blood.

David was getting old, so his soldiers asked him not to go out with them to battle.

How?

Don't sware because it is needed to make payment, we just doing the faithful thing.

A wise saved her town and reduced a flight between Joab's troop and this city

 2 Samuel 20:14-26

Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maakah and through the entire region of the Bikrites, who gathered together and followed him. All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.” He went toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”

She said, “Listen to what your servant has to say.” 

She continued, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel,’ and that settled it. We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”

 “Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”

The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.”

Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab.

Joab was over Israel’s entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; Adoniram was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.

Why?

This wise woman saved her city for Joab did not destroy this town either. This wise woman reduced many people who lost their lives.

Building a town is difficult, destroy is easy. this wise woman chose the wise way to save her people and town.

Sheba won't be a king of Israel, but David was chosen by the Lord to be a king of Israel.

How?

God's way is higher than our way, God's mind is better than ours. May I be wise before the Lord.

So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri

2 Samuel 20:1-13

So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.” But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him.

One of Joab’s men stood beside Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!” Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him. After Amasa had been removed from the road, everyone went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

Why?

The Kingdom of David started divided into two parts and someone like Sheba was against David.

Amasa was not against David but did not why he was delayed came back to Jerusalem, and Joab killed Amasa an innocent man.

David returned to Jerusalem and became the king, but other tribes except Judah area, did not back to Jerusalem.

The sin effect may prolonged than we expected.

Joab is honest with David and helps David, and Joab knows the mind of David and kills others who might affect his position.

How?

Be careful to prevent falling into sins. May the Holy Spirit help me keep walking with the Lord

But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel

 2 Samuel 19:18-30

Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the Lord’s anointed.”

David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.

He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba my servant betrayed me. And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish. All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?”

The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.”

Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.”

The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.” 

But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.”

The king said, “Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you wish. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.”

But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel.

Why?

Here is the beginning of the reason Israel and Judah were divided into two countries after King Solomon.

Barzillai is the smartest or a wise person, he may have his own free and joyful life.

Mepjibosjeth for his lamb he could not choose his way. But he keeps humble himself.

Shimei may keep his life for the mercy of David, but David still remembers his sin against the King.

Shimei, confessed his sins before David so he could escape from the dead, Mephibosheth came to welcome David's return, and he got half of his properties. Better than nothing.

How?

No matter what situation, doing our best with love and help and encouraging others, God will know what we have done. Confess our sins before the Lord is better than any others.

If you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall

2 Samuel 19:1-18

The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines.

I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.”

So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,” they all came before him.

King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters? You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’

The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines

Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan. Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul’s household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished.

Why?

David forgot he is the King of Israel and Judah, and David remain called in the sad mode of his son Absalom dead. This would discourage his followers, so Jaob said the right word before David.

After Absalon was dead, Israelites thought David should be their king and the king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines. So all of them return back to David.

How?

We have emotions but we should make clear what is more important around us. Don't be emotional to do jobs!

David Mourns

 2 Samuel 18:19-33

Now Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Let me run and take the news to the king that the Lord has vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.”

“You are not the one to take the news today,” Joab told him. “You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.”

Then Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed down before Joab and ran off.

 The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”

Ahimaaz answered, “I saw great confusion just as Joab was about to send the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was.”

The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”

The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”

The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!

Why?

David loved his son Absalom but it was too late for his sins.

It shows the love of a father, David can show his love to Absalom before Absalom took the revolution.

All of these are under the arrangement of the Lord. David must pay for that lamb, Uriah, four times over because he did such things and had no pity. The sword will never depart from your house.

How?

How sad these events happened, the consequence usually comes from our sins. Be aware the target in our life is correct or not.

Joab killed Absalom and did not care the word of David

2 Samuel 18:1-18

But the men said, “You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won’t care about us. Even if half of us die, they won’t care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city.”

The king answered, “I will do whatever seems best to you.”

The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders.

Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.

But the man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels[c] were weighed out into my hands, I would not lay a hand on the king’s son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.

Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this for you.” So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. And ten of Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him.

During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, “I have no son to carry on the memory of my name.” He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

Why?

David's troops protect David more than their own life. they are the real soldiers and fighters.

Joab does it in his own way and doesn't care about the king's command, David.

Absalom took a pillar as his own memory, his beautiful hair caused him to die. The problem of Absalom did not depend on the Lord but depended on himself, so he failed.

How?

Any benefit is good to us or bad to us depending on the Lord's way. Trust in the Lord is our best talent and capability.

Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he put his house in order and then hanged himself.

 2 Samuel 17:15-29

Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”

When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.”

Why?

Ahithophel knew his advice had not been followed, David would return to Jerusalem, and he would be killed for he helped Ansalom, so he handed himself.

Barzillai did a great job when David's people were tired and hungry, he supported many food and roasted grain, honey, sheep and cheese, etc. It is important to those who escaped from Absalom the whole day.

How?

Help others at the needed point, pray at the right time, and say the key point during church service.

 

For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel and bring disaster on Absalom

 2 Samuel 17:1-14

But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”

“So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.”

Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

Why?

All of the words and what people said are on the way of the Lord, even though they did not know the way of the Lord.

Some words seem reasonable, but it do not work in that time and place.

We have to humble ourselves for many things we know only part of it and not the whole, so we make decisions in limited ways.

How?

Be humble and do our best to honor the Holy Name of the Lord!

In those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God

2 Samuel 16:15-23

Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him. Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”

Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.” So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.

Why?
Hushai did a spy very well, Absalom did not sense his heart and mind. The sweet word may cheat anyone.

The strategy of Ahithophel is prophesied by the Lord through Nathan. Before your very eyes, I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” Then David told Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12:11-12)

How?

What we are doing is to honor the Holy Name of the Lord. May my heart and my mind go with the Lord. Don't trust the beautiful words and praise words from man's mouth. Be careful about this. We can say good words to encourage others.

It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today

 2 Samuel 16:1-14

When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.

Then the king said to Ziba, “All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.”

As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!

David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”

Why?

Ziba came to support David, and Shimei came to curse David. David met the most difficulty in his life of his sins against the Lord.

How?

David accepted what the Lord arranged for him, no matter what happened David put his hope in the Lord. This is the real faith in the Lord.