June 1st readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
2 Samuel 18:1-19:10 ~ John 20:1-31
Psalm 119:153-176 ~ Proverbs 16:14-15

Old Testament - Wow.  Intense readings today.  As could be expected from Absalom's pursuit of his ego and pride the past few chapters, his sin catches up with him.  Zondervan's commentary today had the interesting point that Absalom's "pretty head & long hair" (as you'll recall from 2 Samuel 14:25-26) ironically ended up being his undoing as his long hair got caught up in a tree.  This seems very symbolic of how pride and ego can be it's own undoing.  This image I think it sums up well where unchecked pride and ego can ultimately lead...

Well, Absalom did incorporate some long term ingenuity in his pride & ego - like the Egyptian Pharaoh's of old, Absalom decided to make sure he built a monument to himself! as we read about in verse 18 today: "During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King's Valley, for he had said, "I have no son to carry on my name." He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom's Monument to this day."  Below is an image of Absalom's Monument (Pillar) -

While on one hand I do appreciate David's grace and love for his son Absalom, I have to say that I really do appreciate Joab's boldness & wisdom in rebuking David in verses 5 through 8 - "We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed, as though we had done something wrong. You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that we mean nothing to you. If Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased. Now go out there and congratulate the troops, for I swear by the LORD that if you don't, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than you have ever been."  That is quite a speech by Joab to David!  And I believe he was right.  David's love for his son was admirable in one sense - but it also could be seen as selfish in another sense.  David seemed to care more for his son than for the nation of Israel, and Joab called him out on this.  It is interesting how sometimes our love for one person can cloud everything else going on in our lives.  Love for one person is a beautiful thing.  But it seems that we should also be cognizant of others around us too - and love them.  And sometimes, like David, we may need to realize that there is a greater good - a greater love - than the singular love we have been focusing on.  This is not easy to discern of course...   hopefully this makes some sort of sense or doesn't sound too harsh?  Below is a portrait of David mourning for his son Absalom with Joab in the background, giving his speech in the verses above, by artist Guy Rowe:

Bible.org's commentary on today's Second Samuel readings titled "The Darkest Days of David's Life" is at this link.

New Testament - Today we read about Jesus' glorious resurrection! Verse 18 is awesome - "Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, "I have seen the Lord!""

Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion gives a great list today of the order of Jesus' 11 appearances after his resurrection -
1. Mary Magdalene and the other women
2. the disciples on the road to Emmaus
3. Peter
4. the ten disciples in the upper room
5. the eleven in the upper room with Thomas present (Below is an oil painting by Carravaggio from the year 1601 titled "The Incredulity of Saint Thomas")
6. the disciples at the Sea of Tiberius
7. the eleven on a mountain in Galilee
8. five hundred of the brethren
9. James
10. all of the apostles
11. those present when he ascended into heaven

Bible.org's commentary on today's John readings titled "The Burial and Resurrection" is at this link and "On Seeing and Believing" is at this link.

Psalms - We finish Psalm 119 today...  :(  I am sad.  I loved reading through this Psalm again.  For some reason it meant so much to me these past few days.  I pray this Psalm has been good for you as well this go round.  I think the last 3 verses of this Psalm are worth us camping out on here for a moment.  In verses 174, 175 & 176 the author of Psalm 119 closes out the Psalm with what I think is a prayer and a confession all in one - "O LORD, I have longed for your salvation, and your law is my delight. Let me live so I can praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands."  Wow... not a bad prayer and confession to close out this amazing Psalm, eh?  Is God's Word your delight?  Do you wish to live so you can praise God?  Does his Word sustain you?

Proverbs - Proverbs 16:15 today is nice: "When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a gentle rain."  What else in our life today refreshes like a gentle rain?  When a baby smiles at you?  When you smile at someone else?  When someone else smiles at you when you're having a rough day?  Let us be like gentle rain for each other!

Comments from you & Question of the Day - What is your reaction to David's grief over his son Absalom today?  Why do you think he grieved so much?  Do you think David's grief almost cost him the kingship?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[Anka]

The king answered, "I will do whatever seems best to you".David was happy to stay at home again while his army went to fight.Maybe he was afraid to have to confront his son in battle because he may prefer to die than harm Absalom yet inspite of assuring the army he would go along with whatever they suggested he commanded them not to harm Absalom.
What was it about this guy that made David love him so much?His looks?Could Abalom have taken a bigger part of David's heart than God's laws.We see he preferred to leave Israel to Absalom than to consult God and protect Israel from a son he knew really didn't have a heart for God.
Idols don't have to be golden cows..they can be money,family etc.I pray God reveals our idolsand the things that compete for His love and laws in our lives before we become a stumbling block for others and give satan an opportunity to wreck havoc in our lives..Israel got divided,had to fight eachother then creep back home ashamed after the battle,David went home heart broken...
Mary's love for Jesus is something I realised today I wished I had.While the other disciples slept soundly(or maybe stayed behind locked doors afraid of the Jews)Mary went out to the tomb where Jesus was put.When Mary saw the tomb was empty,she told the others...just John and Peter set out but returned to their homes when they saw the tomb was empty...Mary stayed.Maybe in her mind she hoped someone would give her a clue to what happend.Many times when we loose someone we love,we kinda feel drawn to the room the person stayed or when we visit the person's tomb it gives us a feeling of closeness to the person,Mary just couldn't leave,she kept peering into the last place she knew he laid.Her love for Christ defied her fear of the jews.Her heart was longing for him and Jesus blessed her with His presence.I pray for that kind of love and longing in my heart,for such loyalty...
God bless you all

[Jim]

I was always impressed with the way Joab called David to account for mourning Absalom in the presence of the troops who just rescued him from certain death. While mourning his son's death isn't wrong, as a leader of men he needs to care for their morale and express his appreciation for a job well done. David is certainly one of my Biblical heroes because of his unfailing faith in God but you also see his failings too... something I can cerainly identify.
Another one of my Biblical heroes is Mary Magdalene in this passage in John. Her love for Jesus seems to certainly surpass that even of the disciples.
Have a good one all...
Jim

[Shirley Patton]

I had never noticed in the New Testament when Jesus breathed on the disciples and told them that who ever sins they forgave would be forgiven and who ever they did not forgive would be unforgiven. I don't understand this. Can anyone offer insight?

[yvonnelistening]

I have never heard before either, when Jesus breathed on the decipiles and told them that who ever sins they forgave would be forgiven and who ever they did not forgive would be unforgiven. Need more insight.

[Ramona]

2 Samuel 18:1-19:10

I am an observer of human behavior and I am always looking at patterns that cross cultural, ethnicities and “tribes.” One hundred percent, of the time, we grieve differently but the emotions, feelings and intent that fuels the grief is the same. Usually or grief is not about the physical death of the person, but of missed opportunities. When someone dies because of their own bad choices usually the deceased loved ones: mother, father, possibly siblings, aunts, and uncles, usually grieve inconsolably over missed opportunities to provide direction and correction and guidance. David grief was rooted in regret and guilt. Think about it. Our decisions, my decisions

I’m going to look at Joab and David from a different perspective than Mike.. As per scripture, our righteousness is not based on our behavior it is based on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And our acceptance of that righteousness, Jesus Christ, is based on the condition of our heart, whether we accept what Jesus has done for us or not. For the Old Testament saints and ain’ts, it would be their acceptance of the One Who is To Come in the fullness of time. According to God, David had a “right” heart; however, Joab did not which we shall see in the readings to come. As per the commentary on the BibleOnRadio.Com for today’s reading, David was operating out of Love with no Justice toward Absalom, and Joab operated out of Justice with no Love. In my opinion, both were out of Balance.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and loving-kindness and truth go before Your face. (Psalms 89:14 AMP

Grace and Peace,
Ramona

[SissySue]

Shirley and Yvonnelistening:

"Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

It is my understanding that Jesus announced this to his disciples; it was incumbent upon the people to acknowledge Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) and it was a "done deal" if they believe--their sins are ALREADY forgiven because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross; but if they did not believe (and the same thing goes today)--if there is no belief--faith--grounded acknowledgement that Jesus is whom he claims to be, there is no forgiveness of sins. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment; we shall know them by their fruits. Jesus said: If you love me, obey my commandments.

As I understand it, this was not a special pronouncement whereby the disciples had the ability to hold a sin against someone--or to forgive them (as the Sanhedrin and high priests and Jewish leaders recognized, and about which they were so ticked at Jesus: )Only God can forgive sins, but Jesus (as I understand the text here) was announcing to the disciples that they could now discern if someone was forgiven or not forgiven. Hence:

"Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

Further we have that confidence in us because WE believe, so Jesus is IN US, and we are IN HIM, so we have "THE MIND OF CHRIST" -- or at least we SHOULD have the mind of Christ that comes with the washing and regeneration of the word.

God's love and blessings.

[Marilyn C]

I was under the impression somehow, I don't remember how, that since the name "Theophilus" is Greek for "Lover of God", that Luke could have been addressing all of his readers, including us, with that title.