Dave Yadallee's personal blog

Day 133, 13 May 2023



1) 1 Chronicles 20:2-3 . 2 Samuel 13-15



1 CHRONICLES 20

Rabbah Captured



2Sa 11:1; 12:29-31



2 Then David took the crown of their king from his head

and found it weighed about a talent [About 75 pounds, or 34 kilograms.]

of gold with a precious stone set in it. And it was placed on David's head.

He also brought out a great abundance of plunder from the city.

3 He brought out the people who were it in, and put them to work with saws,

sharp iron tools, and axes. Thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites,

and then he and all the people returned to Jerusalem.



2 And David took the crown of their king from off his head,

and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it;

and it was set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil

out of the city.

3 And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and

with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities

of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.



2 SAMUEL 13

Amnon and Tamar

1 (2Sa 3:2-3; 1Ch 3:9) After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful

sister whose name was Tamar, and Amnon the son of David fell in love with her.

2 It depressed Amnon to the point of falling ill that Tamar his sister was

a virgin, but it was impossible for Amnon to pursue her.

3 (1Sa 16:9) Now Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah,

the brother of David, and Jonadab was a very crafty individual.

4 He asked him, "Why are you, the son of the king, so sullen morning

after morning? Will you not tell me?"

Amnon told him, "I am in love with Tamar, the sister of Absalom my brother."

5 Jonadab instructed him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. When

your father comes to see you, say to him, 'Please allow Tamar, my sister,

to come and prepare some food for me. She should make the food here,

so that when I see it, I may eat it from her hand.'"

6 (Ge 18:6) So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came

to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please let my sister Tamar come here

to make a couple of cakes, so that I may be nourished from her hand."

7Then David sent word to Tamar at the house, "Please go to the house of Amnon

your brother, and prepare food for him."

8 So Tamar went to the house of Amnon her brother, where he was lying.

She took the dough, kneaded it, and made the cakes before him.

Then she baked them.

9 (Ge 45:1) Then she took the baking tray and served the cakes to him,

but he refused to eat. Amnon said, "Send everyone away." So they all left him.

10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into the bedroom that I may

eat from your hand." So Tamar took the cakes that she had made and brought

them in the bedroom to Amnon her brother.

11 When she brought them close for him to eat, he took hold of her and said,

"Come, lie with me, my sister."

12 (Lev 20:17; Jdg 19:23) She pled with him, "No, my brother, do not violate

me, for such a thing is not to be done in Israel. Do not carry out this awful

thing.

13 As for me, where could I escape my disgrace? And you would be like

one of the fools in Israel. Now, please speak to the king, for he will not

withhold me from you."

14 (2Sa 12:11) But he refused to listen to her. So, being stronger than her,

he overpowered her and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her greatly, so that the hatred with which he hated

her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon

said to her, "Get up, go away."

16 She said to him, "No, because this great offense of dismissing me

is worse than the other which you did to me." But he refused to listen to her.

17 He called his personal servant and said, "Send this woman out from me,

and secure the door behind her."

18 (Ge 37:3; Jdg 5:30) Now she was wearing a long robe, because the virgin

daughters of the king were clothed in such garments. So his servant put her

out and secured the door behind her.

19 (Jos 7:6; Jer 2:37) So Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe

that she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and left,

wailing as she went.

20 Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you?

Keep silent for now, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this thing

to heart." So Tamar stayed in the house of Absalom, her brother,

a desolate woman.

21 (Ge 34:7) When King David heard about these things, he was very angry.

22 (Ge 31:24; Lev 19:17-18) And Absalom would not speak with Amnon,

either pleasantly or angrily; but Absalom hated Amnon because

he had raped his sister Tamar.



Absalom Kills Amnon



23 (Ge 38:12-13; 1Sa 25:4) Two full years later, the sheepshearers of Absalom

were in Baal Hazor, near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all of the sons of

the king.

24 Then Absalom came to the king and requested, "Your servant

has sheepshearers; will the king and his servants kindly go

with your servant?"

25 The king said to Absalom, "No, my son, we must not all go

or we will be a burden to you." When he urged him, he refused to go,

but gave him his blessing.

26 (2Sa 3:27; 11:13-15) Absalom said, "If not, allow my brother Amnon to go

with us." But the king replied to him, "Why should he go with you?"

27 But Absalom urged him until he sent Amnon and all of the king's sons along

with him.

28 (Jdg 19:6; 19:9) Now, Absalom had commanded his servant,

"Look for Amnon to become carefree on account of the wine.

Then I will say to you, 'Strike Amnon, and kill him.' Do not be afraid,

for am not I myself commanding you? Be strong and brave."

29 (2Sa 18:9; 1Ki 1:33) So, the servants of Absalom did to Amnon that

which Absalom had commanded. Then the sons of the king arose,

each mounting his mule, and fled.

30 While they were on the way, the report reached David:

"Absalom struck down all of the sons of the king,

and there is not one of them remaining."

31 (2Sa 1:11; 12:16) Then the king arose, tore his garments, and lay

on the ground, while all of his servants who were standing nearby

tore their garments.

32 But Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shimeah, said, "My lord should not

think that they have killed all of the servants who are the king's sons.

Amnon alone is dead, for this has been determined from the day he raped Tamar,

his sister, by the very declaration of Absalom.

33 (2Sa 19:19) Now, my lord the king should not take this matter to heart,

thinking that all of the king's sons are dead. Instead Amnon alone is dead."

34 Absalom fled. Now when the servant who was keeping watch looked up,

he saw many people coming on the road beyond him, around the hill.

35 So Jonadab said to the king, "See, the king's sons are coming.

As your servant spoke, so it is."

36 As soon as he had finished speaking, the sons of the king arrived, lifted

their voices, and wept. The king and all of his servants also wept loudly.

37 (2Sa 3:3; 13:34) Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud,

king of Geshur, but David mourned over his son every day.

38 When Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he was there for three years.

39 (Ge 24:67; 37:35) Then King David longed to go out to Absalom,

for he was consoled over the death of Amnon.



2 Samuel 13

[1] And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair

sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

[2] And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she

was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

[3] But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah

David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

[4] And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day

to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my

brother Absalom's sister.

[5] And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself

sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let

my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that

I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

[6] So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to

see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come,

and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

[7] Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's

house, and dress him meat.

[8] So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And

she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake

the cakes.

[9] And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to

eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man

from him.

[10] And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may

eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought

them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

[11] And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and

said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.

[12] And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such

thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

[13] And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou

shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak

unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

[14] Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than

she, forced her, and lay with her.

[15] Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated

her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said

unto her, Arise, be gone.

[16] And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away

is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken

unto her.

[17] Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now

this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

[18] And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes

were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant

brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

[19] And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours

that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

[20] And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with

thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this

thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

[21] But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.

[22] And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for

Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

[23] And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had

sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited

all the king's sons.

[24] And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath

sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy

servant.

[25] And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest

we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but

blessed him.

[26] Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with

us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?

[27] But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go

with him.

[28] Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when

Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then

kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous and be valiant.

[29] And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded.

Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and

fled.

[30] And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to

David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one

of them left.

[31] Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and

all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

[32] And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let

not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons;

for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been

determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

[33] Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to

think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.

[34] But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his

eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill

side behind him.

[35] And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy

servant said, so it is.

[36] And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that,

behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the

king also and all his servants wept very sore.

[37] But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of

Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

[38] So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

[39] And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was

comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.



2 SAMUEL 14



Absalom Returns to Jerusalem



1 (2Sa 13:39; 2:18) Now Joab the son of Zeruiah recognised

that the king's mind was on Absalom.

2 (2Ch 11:6; Am 1:1) So Joab sent a request to Tekoa and brought

from there a wise woman. He instructed her, "Act as if you are

observing mourning rites. Put on mourning garments,

and do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has

been mourning over the dead like this for many days.

3 (2Sa 14:19; Ex 4:15) Then come to the king and speak to him in this manner."

Thus Joab put the words in her mouth.

4 (1Sa 25:23; 2Sa 1:2) As the Tekoan woman spoke to the king, she fell on her

face toward the ground and bowed low. Then she said, "Help me, O king."

5 The king said to her, "What troubles you?"

She responded, "Alas, I am a widow, and my husband is dead.

6 Furthermore, your servant had two sons. The two of them were fighting

in the field, but there was no one to separate them.

One struck the other and killed him.

7 (Nu 35:19; Mt 21:38) Now the entire family has risen up against

your maidservant, and they said, 'Deliver him who struck his brother,

so that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed,

and we will destroy the heir also.' So they will extinguish my remaining

ember, and leave my husband neither name nor remnant

on the face of the earth."

8 Then the king said to the woman,

"Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you."

9 (1Sa 25:24; 1Ki 2:33) The Tekoan woman responded to the king,

"May guilt rest upon me and the house of my father, my lord the king,

and may the king and his throne be blameless."

10 The king said, "Whoever speaks to you, bring him to me,

and he will not cause you harm again."

11 (1Sa 14:45; Nu 35:19) Then she said, "May the king remember the Lord

your God so that the avenger of blood will not continue to destroy,

lest they exterminate my son." He said, "As the Lord lives,

not one hair of your son will fall to the ground."

12 Then the woman said, "Allow your servant to speak

a word to my lord the king." So he said, "Speak."

13 (2Sa 12:7; 13:37-38) The woman said, "Why have you planned like

this against the people of God? The king's speaking this word is like

a self-conviction, for the king has not brought back his own banished one.

14 (Nu 35:15; 35:25) We will surely die and are like water spilled

on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again.

Yet God does not take away a life; He devises plans so that His banished

ones will not be cast out from Him.

15 "So now I have come to speak to my lord the king about this matter

because the people have made me afraid. So, I thought, 'I will speak

to the king. Perhaps the king will perform the request of his servant.

16 (1Sa 26:19) For the king may accept my request to deliver his servant

from the hand of the man who would destroy me

and my son from the inheritance of God.'

17 (1Sa 29:9; 2Sa 19:27) "So, your servant thought, 'May the word of my lord

the king provide rest. For like the angel of God, my lord the king discerns

good from evil. May the Lord your God be with you.' "

18 Then the king answered and said to the woman, "Please do not conceal

from me anything that I ask you." The woman said, "May my lord the king

please speak."

19 (2Sa 14:3; 1Sa 1:26) The king said,

"Is the hand of Joab with you in all of this?" The woman answered and said,

"As your soul lives, my lord the king, there is no turning right or left

from anything that you spoke, my lord the king, for your servant Joab

is the very one who commanded me and placed all of these words in my mouth.

20 (2Sa 14:17; 19:27) In order to change this situation, your servant Joab

did this thing; but my lord is wise, as with the wisdom of the angel of God,

so as to discern everything happening in the land."

21 (2Sa 14:11) Then the king said to Joab, "This is what I will do.

Go and bring back the young man Absalom."

22 Then Joab fell with his face to ground and bowed low and blessed the king.

Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your eyes,

my lord the king, since the king has granted the request of his servant."

23 Then Joab arose and went to Geshur, and he brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

24 The king said, "Let him turn to his own house.

He shall not come into my presence."

So Absalom turned to his house and did not come into the king's presence.



David Forgives Absalom



25 (Dt 28:35; Job 2:7) In all of Israel, there was no man as handsome

as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, there was not

a blemish on him.

26 (2Sa 18:9; Eze 44:20) When he cut the hair of his head

(and at the end of every year he cut it, for it was heavy on him),

he weighed the hair from his head at two hundred shekels,

[About 5 pounds, or 2.3 kilograms. ] according to the king's standard.

27 (2Sa 18:18; 13:1) There were born to Absalom three sons

and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.

28 Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two full years without coming

into the king's presence.

29 Then Absalom sent a message to Joab, requesting that he send him

to the king, but he was not willing to come to him. So he sent

a second message, but still he was not willing to come.

30 (Jdg 15:4-5) Then he said to his servants, "See, Joab's field is

next to mine, and he has barley there. Go, set it on fire."

So the servants of Absalom set the field on fire.

31 Then Joab arose, came to Absalom at his house, and said to him,

"Why have your servants set my plot of land on fire?"

32 (1Sa 20:8; Pr 28:13) Absalom said to Joab, "I sent a message to you,

saying: Come, so that I may send you to the king, asking,

'Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.'

Now, let me go before the king, and if there is still guilt with me,

may he put me to death."

33 (Ge 33:4; Lk 15:20) So Joab came and reported this to him.

Then he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king, bowed low to him,

his face on the ground before the king; then the king kissed Absalom.



2 Samuel 14

[1] Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward

Absalom.

[2] And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto

her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning

apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long

time mourned for the dead:

[3] And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the

words in her mouth.

[4] And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to

the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.

[5] And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am

indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.

[6] And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the

field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and

slew him.

[7] And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they

said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life

of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they

shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband

neither name nor remainder upon the earth.

[8] And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give

charge concerning thee.

[9] And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the

iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be

guiltless.

[10] And the king said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me,

and he shall not touch thee any more.

[11] Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God,

that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more,

lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not

one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

[12] Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word

unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.

[13] And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing

against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which

is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.

[14] For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which

cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth

he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

[15] Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the

king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I

will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the

request of his handmaid.

[16] For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the

man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.

[17] Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be

comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good

and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.

[18] Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I

pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord

the king now speak.

[19] And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And

the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can

turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath

spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the

mouth of thine handmaid:

[20] To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this

thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to

know all things that are in the earth.

[21] And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go

therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.

[22] And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked

the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace

in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request

of his servant.

[23] So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

[24] And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see

my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.

[25] But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for

his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there

was no blemish in him.

[26] And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he

polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he

weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.

[27] And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose

name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

[28] So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's

face.

[29] Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he

would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not

come.

[30] Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine,

and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set

the field on fire.

[31] Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him,

Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?

[32] And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come

hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from

Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let

me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.

[33] So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for

Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground

before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.



2 SAMUEL 15



Absalom's Conspiracy



1 (1Ki 1:5; 1Sa 8:11) After this Absalom acquired for himself a chariot,

horses, and fifty men to run before him.

2 Absalom would go early and stand beside the way into the gate.

When any man who had a dispute concerning which he had come

to the king for a judgment approached, Absalom would call to him

and say, "Which city are you from?" And he would say, "Your servant

is from one of the tribes of Israel."

3 Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your claim is good and right,

but there is no one to hear you on behalf of the king."

4 (Jdg 9:29) Absalom would continue, "If I were appointed a judge in the land,

then every man who had a claim could come and I would give him justice."

5 (2Sa 14:33) When a man would approach to bow before him, he would reach

out, embrace him, and kiss him.

6 (Ro 16:18) Absalom acted this way toward every Israelite who came

to the king for a judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 After forty years, Absalom said to the king, "Please allow me to go fulfill

my vow that I made to the Lord in Hebron.

8 (Ge 28:20-21; 2Sa 13:37-38) For your servant made a vow when I was dwelling

in Geshur in Aram, saying: If indeed the Lord will bring me back to Jerusalem,

then I will serve the Lord."

9 The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron.

10 But Absalom sent scouts throughout all of the tribes of Israel, saying,

"When you hear the sound of the horn, say: Absalom has become king in Hebron."

11 (1Sa 9:13; 22:15) Now two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem,

invited and unsuspecting; they did not know anything.

12 (Jos 15:51; 2Sa 15:31) Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite,

the advisor of David, from his city Giloh, while he was offering

the sacrifices. Now the conspiracy was strong, for the number of people

with Absalom was continually growing.



David Flees Jerusalem



13 (Jdg 9:3; 2Sa 15:6) A messenger came to David and said,

"The hearts of the men of Israel are following Absalom."

14 (2Sa 19:9) David said to all of his servants who were with him

in Jerusalem, "Get up. We must flee or there will be no escape from

Absalom for us. Hurry up and leave, or he will soon reach us

and bring disaster upon us, striking the city with the edge of the sword."

15 The king's servants said to the king,

"Whatever our lord the king decides, we are your servants."

16 (2Sa 16:21-22; 20:3) So the king left with his entire house after him,

but he left behind ten women, concubines, to watch over the house.

17 So the king left with all of the people after him, and they came to a stop

at the furthest house.

18 (2Sa 8:18; 1Sa 30:14) Now all his servants passed on beside him,

all the Kerethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men

who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king.

19 (2Sa 18:2) The king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why are you also going

with us? Go back and dwell with the king, for you are a foreigner and,

moreover, exiled from your own place.

20 (1Sa 23:13; 2Sa 2:60 You came only yesterday. Shall I cause you to go

roaming around with us today? I am going where I go.

Go back, and take back your brothers with you. Mercy and truth be with you."

21 (Ru 1:16-17; Pr 17:17) Ittai answered the king and said,

"As the Lord lives and as lives my lord the king, only in the place

where my lord the king is, whether for death or for life,

there alone will your servant be."

22 So David said to Ittai, "Go on, pass by." So Ittai the Gittite passed by,

along with all of his men and all of the children

and elderly who were with him.

23 (2Sa 16:2; 1Ki 2:37) The whole land wept with a loud voice as

all the people passed by. Now the king was crossing over the brook Kidron,

and all of the people were crossing over on the road to the wilderness.

24 (Nu 4:15; 2Sa 8:17) And also Zadok and all of the Levites with him

were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God,

and Abiathar came up until all of the people had finished

passing from the city.

25 (Ex 15:13; Jer 25:30) The king said to Zadok, "Take the ark of God back

to the city. If I have found favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me

back and allow me to see both it and its resting place.

26 (1Sa 3:18; 2Sa 22:20) But if He should say now, 'I take no delight in you,'

here I am. May He do to me what seems good to Him."

27 (1Sa 9:9; 2Sa 17:17) The king also said to Zadok the priest,

"Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace with your two sons,

your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

28 (2Sa 17:16; 15:23) I will wait at the fords of the wilderness

until word from you comes to inform me."

29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem,

and they remained there.

30 (Est 6:12; 2Sa 19:4) David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives,

weeping as he went. His head was covered and he went barefoot.

Then all of the people who were with him each covered his head

and went up, weeping as they went.

31 (2Sa 16:23; 17:14) Now it was reported to David that Ahithophel

was conspiring with Absalom, and David said,

"O Lord, make the advice of Ahithophel folly."

32 (Jos 16:2; 2Sa 1:2) When David came to the summit where he would

worship God, Hushai the Arkite approached him with his coat torn

and dirt on his head.

33 (2Sa 19:35) David said to him, "If you pass on with me, you will be

a burden to me.

34 But if you return to the city, you may say to Absalom,

'I am your servant, O king, as I was a servant of your father.

As I was then, so now I am your servant,' so as to counter the advice

of Ahithophel.

35 (2Sa 17:15-16) Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be with you there?

You shall report everything that you hear from the king's house to Zadok

and Abiathar the priests.

36 (2Sa 17:17; 15:27) Their two sons Ahimaaz the son of Zadok and Jonathan

the son of Abiathar will be there with them. You shall send word of everything

that you hear to me by their hand."

37 (2Sa 16:15-16; 1Ch 27:33) So Hushai, the friend of David,

came to the city as Absalom entered Jerusalem.



2 Samuel 15

[1] And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and

horses, and fifty men to run before him.

[2] And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it

was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for

judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And

he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

[3] And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but

there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

[4] Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every

man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him

justice!

[5] And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance,

he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

[6] And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for

judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

[7] And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king,

I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in

Hebron.

[8] For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If

the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the

LORD.

[9] And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to

Hebron.

[10] But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As

soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom

reigneth in Hebron.

[11] And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were

called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

[12] And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counseller, from

his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy

was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

[13] And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of

Israel are after Absalom.

[14] And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem,

Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make

speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and

smite the city with the edge of the sword.

[15] And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are

ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

[16] And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king

left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

[17] And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a

place that was far off.

[18] And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and

all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after

him from Gath, passed on before the king.

[19] Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with

us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger,

and also an exile.

[20] Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up

and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy

brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.

[21] And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my

lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be,

whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

[22] And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed

over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

[23] And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed

over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people

passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

[24] And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark

of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went

up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

[25] And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city:

if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and

shew me both it, and his habitation:

[26] But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let

him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

[27] The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return

into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and

Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

[28] See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word

from you to certify me.

[29] Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem:

and they tarried there.

[30] And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went

up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that

was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they

went up.

[31] And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with

Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel

into foolishness.

[32] And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount,

where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with

his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

[33] Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a

burden unto me:

[34] But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy

servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now

also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of

Ahithophel.

[35] And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests?

therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the

king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

[36] Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son,

and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing

that ye can hear.

[37] So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into

Jerusalem.



2) Our Daily Bread for 13 May 2023 Titled

For Love’s Sake by By Marvin Williams



Romans 12:9–18



Rules of the Christian Life



9 (1Ti 1:5; 2Co 6:6)Let love be without hypocrisy. Hate what is evil.

Cleave to what is good.

10 (Php 2:3; Heb 13:1) Be devoted to one another with brotherly love;

prefer one another in honor,

11 (Ac 18:25) do not be lazy in diligence, be fervent in spirit,

serve the Lord,

12 (Heb 10:36; Ac 1:14) rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering,

persevere in prayer,

13 (2Co 9:1; 1Ti 3:2) contribute to the needs of the saints,

practice hospitality.

14 (Mt 5:44; Lk 6:28) Bless those who persecute you; bless,

and do not curse.

15 (Heb 13:3; Job 30:25) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep

with those who weep.

16 (Ro 11:25; 15:5) Be of the same mind toward one another.

Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.

Do not pretend to be wiser than you are.

17 (Pr 20:22; Mt 5:39) Repay no one evil for evil. Commend what is

honest in the sight of all men.

18 (Mk 9:50; Ro 14:19; Mt 5:9) If it is possible, as much as it depends

on you, live peaceably with all men.



[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to

that which is good.

[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour

preferring one another;

[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in

prayer;

[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

[15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

[16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but

condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

[17] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight

of all men.

[18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all

men.



Running a marathon is about pushing yourself, physically and mentally. For

one high school runner, however, competing in a cross-country race is all

about pushing someone else. In every practice and meet, fourteen-year-old

Susan Bergeman pushes older brother, Jeffrey, in his wheelchair. When Jeffrey

was twenty-two months old, he went into cardiac arrest-leaving him with

severe brain damage and cerebral palsy. Today, Susan sacrifices personal

running goals so Jeffrey might compete with her. What love and sacrifice!



The apostle Paul had love and sacrifice in mind when he encouraged his

readers to be "devoted to one another" (Romans 12:10). He knew that the

believers in Rome were struggling with jealousy, anger, and sharp

disagreements (v. 18). So, he encouraged them to let divine love rule their

hearts. This kind of love, rooted in Christ's love, would fight for the

highest possible good of others. It would be sincere, and it would lead to

generous sharing (v. 13). Those who love this way are eager to consider

others more worthy of honour than themselves (v. 16).



As believers in Jesus, we're running a race of love while helping others

finish the race too. Though it can be difficult, it brings honor to Jesus.

So, for love's sake, let's rely on Him to empower us to love and serve

others.



What does it mean for you to love others as God loves them?

How does Jesus reveal that love is more than emotion?



God of love, for love's sake and Your glory,

help me to consider others before I consider myself.



3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation



Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools



Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 7 Our God reigns!



Is 52:7



7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,

who proclaims peace, who brings good news of happiness,

who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"



7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good

tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that

publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!



A messenger has a single duty: to carry information. During World War II, many

parents dreaded the arrival of the Western Union messenger, believing that

delivery of a telegram meant that their son has been wounded or killed.

Isaiah 52:7, however, indicates that a messenger's word is not always

unwelcome. "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring

good news ..." the prophet says. The "Good news"? Peace , salvation,

and the resultant message: "Your God reigns!"

Our God reigns - in forgiveness, in reconciliation, bringing peace and freedom

and joy. Our God reigns, controlling our lives with a loving hand, ordering

our experiences for our good, and his glory. Our God reigns in relationships,

in professional circumstances, in families, in churches. The good news is

proclaimed: Life is not unmanageable. Our God Reigns!

When we know that God reigns in our lives, we can relax, let go of the reins

of control, and live in peace. We can forgive those who have hurt us, knowing

that God will reveal to them what they need to know. We can live

with good times and bad, recognising that God uses every circumstance

of our lives to conform us to the image of his Son. We can rejoice in his

grace, free from the compulsion to earn his love and acceptance, and

we can live in the peace that comes only through his lordship in our lives.

Our God reigns - that is , indeed "Good news".



Application



a) Have I ever felt that life was "out of control"? Why?



b) What does it mean in practical terms to know that "Our God reigns"?



4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland



Prov 3:9-10



9 Honour the Lord with your substance,

and with the first fruits of all your increase;

10 so your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your presses will burst out with new wine.



9 Honour the LORD with thy substance,

And with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,

And thy presses shall burst out with new wine.



5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:



When you are Worried Over Money



Hebr 13:5-6



5 Let your lives be without love of money, and be content

with the things you have. For He has said:

"I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

6 So we may boldly say:

"The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"



5 Let your conversation be without covetousness;

and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said,

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear

What man shall do unto me.



Remember God's promises when You pray



The Lord's prayer



Matthew 6:9-13



9 "Therefore pray in this manner:

Our Father who is in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;

Your will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.

12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."



9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.



6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)



Ontario



Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario



Ontario 2015 population 13 687 7000



est Muslim Population 1 001 542



CNMM Networks: Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,

Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor



Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that

the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most

Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching

from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly

resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques

are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools

are starting.

And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their

advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,

the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour

brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of

"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of

receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community. Another town

reports Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.

Agree in prayer for:



- net network leaders - the need is great

- the development of network leadership teams

- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals

whom God is calling into this ministry.

- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising

believers

- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas

- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love

towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.



Adding further



30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020



Under the Keep Praying page



When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month

and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days

of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that

usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,

of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be

decorated and festivals will be held.



For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the

distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of

Islam.



You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",

which means Blessed Eid!"



Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you

know, and Muslims around the world:



- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions

in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about

unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such

movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three

decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim

relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.

Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,

"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

18 Even on My menservants and maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,

and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]



Footnotes

Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.

- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective

discipleship movements among Muslim people.

- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for

Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.

Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under

a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the

house."



Ideas for prayer



- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you

- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving

Christ among Muslim people -

Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."

- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims

throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!



And



Thank you for praying through the

5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.



"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,

I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to

cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.



Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians

and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the

love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.

One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by

light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.



As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and

confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution

to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.



Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.

Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father

to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.



I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.

God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through

the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom

and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."



13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy

and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,

through the power of the Holy Spirit.



[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that

ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.



ROMANS 15:13



My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further

call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity

(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .



7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada



http://www.ehc.ca



12th Day of the Month



a) Pray that the Lord will put a desire in the hearts of those in business

to follow God's principles and act honourably and ethically



(Proverb 11:1



1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,

but a just weight is His delight.



1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:

But a just weight is his delight.



)



b) Pray the the Spirit of the Lord will restrain the spirit of

hatred and destruction against humanity across the world.



Conclusion:



Pray to the Lord and pray not to have strife in the family.



Pray to the Lord: "God of love, for love's sake and Your glory,

help me to consider others before I consider myself."



Pray to the Lord and pray to remember that He reigns in all.



Pray to the Lord and pray to give Him your first fruits.



Pray to the Lord and pray to remember He is with you.



Agree in prayer for Ontario:



- get network leaders - the need is great

- the development of network leadership teams

- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals

whom God is calling into this ministry.

- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising

believers

- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas

- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love

towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.



- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you

- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving

Christ among Muslim people -

Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."

- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims

throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!



Pray continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.



Pray that the Lord will put a desire in the hearts of those in business

to follow God's principles and act honourably and ethically



Pray the the Spirit of the Lord will restrain the spirit of

hatred and destruction against humanity across the world.



Pray for the effectiveness of efforts to share the Gospel in Somalia

through social media.