1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:02,320 Speaker 1: And it came to pass while they were in the 2 00:00:02,360 --> 00:00:06,880 Speaker 1: way that Tidings came to David saying, Absalom hath slain 3 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:09,800 Speaker 1: all the king's sons, and there is not one of 4 00:00:09,840 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: them left Second Samuel thirteen thirty. Dear Lord, as the 5 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:19,799 Speaker 1: tragedy in Second Samuel thirteen comes to light, I thank 6 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:22,680 Speaker 1: you that you are setting a hedge of protection around me, 7 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:26,400 Speaker 1: so that I am protected from others taking advantage of 8 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:31,040 Speaker 1: me and my kindness. When the grip of manipulation seems 9 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: to overpower me, I lean on the fact that you 10 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:38,640 Speaker 1: will provide a way of escape, even when the amnons 11 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:41,519 Speaker 1: of this world seem to have the upper hand. I 12 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,920 Speaker 1: choose to praise you because in the end, you will 13 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 1: always vindicate and validate me. Because I am your child. 14 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 1: With this truth, I know that whatever is done too 15 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: or against me will not stop the plans you have 16 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:02,280 Speaker 1: for my life because you are careful to bring every 17 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:07,880 Speaker 1: word you speak to fruition. It's through your power and 18 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:11,959 Speaker 1: through your might that I can boldly speak this over 19 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: my life in Jesus name, Amen, thank you for praying 20 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: with me to day. Continue listening for an incredible Bible 21 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 1: story brought to you by Bible in a Year dot 22 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:42,280 Speaker 1: com sibling drama. In our last story, we saw the 23 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 1: restoration of David after a heinous sin. He had an 24 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 1: affair with one of his most trusted soldier's wife. When 25 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:54,559 Speaker 1: she became pregnant, he coveted up by murdering in. As 26 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:58,520 Speaker 1: a result, David's heart grew hardened and distant from God. 27 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 1: Nathan showed David the error of his ways, which began 28 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 1: the process of bringing David back to God. Sadly, the 29 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 1: child he had had with Bathsheba passed away from sickness, 30 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 1: but a new son was born who God would use 31 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 1: to do great things. In this story, we learned about 32 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:22,119 Speaker 1: the descent of David's family as predicted by Nathan. Conflict 33 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: and sin breaks out among David's children, and the neglect 34 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 1: of David creates brokenness among his family, as inspired by 35 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 1: the Book of Second Samuel. This is Pastor Jack Graham 36 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: with the day's episode of the Bible in a Year podcast. 37 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:43,720 Speaker 1: In our last episode, we heard how Nathan confronted David 38 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:46,679 Speaker 1: for his sin of adultery and then murder and then 39 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 1: the cover up. God would spare David's life because of 40 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:53,960 Speaker 1: his repentance, but he took the son conceived in sin 41 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,640 Speaker 1: and promised that there would be acrimony and war and 42 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 1: chaos in his household. David repented and turned back to God, 43 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:05,600 Speaker 1: worshiping him and drawing near, and found comfort and strength 44 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 1: and assurance in his grief. But while God had forgiven 45 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:13,200 Speaker 1: the sin, there would be consequences for David's choices. And 46 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:16,960 Speaker 1: today we'll see how David's failure creates conflict and drama 47 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 1: among his children. It is a lesson on the brokenness 48 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:25,120 Speaker 1: that is caused by sin. Not only David's sin would Bathsheba, 49 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:28,280 Speaker 1: but his choice to marry many wives in disregard God's 50 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:32,240 Speaker 1: design for marriage between one man and one woman, so 51 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 1: less listened now to today's reading. David was blessed with 52 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 1: many children, yet because he had taken several wives, the 53 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 1: family lines were blurred and skewed. Just as his ancestors 54 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 1: Abraham and Jacob, David found himself in the middle of 55 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 1: a civil war between his wives and children. Tamar, David's daughter, 56 00:03:55,600 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 1: was incredibly beautiful and sought after by many men throughout Israel. Amnon, 57 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,960 Speaker 1: David's son and Tamar's half brother, lusted after her with 58 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 1: great passion. He would watch her from a distance, pining 59 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 1: after her relentlessly. He was tormented by his desires and 60 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:18,960 Speaker 1: greatly disturbed. Amnan vented to his friend Jonadab. Jonadab was 61 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:22,839 Speaker 1: a crafty man and had an unashamed darkness in his heart. 62 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:27,280 Speaker 1: My silly prince, Jonadab scoffed, here is what you shall do. 63 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: Pretend to be ill, near death in bed. Ask for 64 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:34,359 Speaker 1: her to come and bring you food, and when she does, 65 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:39,480 Speaker 1: you can make your move. Amnan did as Jonadab suggested. 66 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:43,839 Speaker 1: He lay in his bed, coughing and feverish. Tamar dabbed 67 00:04:43,880 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 1: his head with a wet cloth and fed him stew 68 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 1: from a spoon. Amnon could barely hold himself together. Around her, 69 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:53,599 Speaker 1: the smell of her hair, the delicate touch of her skin. 70 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:58,160 Speaker 1: Amnan leaned over to Tamar and touched her leg. Lie 71 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 1: with me, he whispered. Tamar swatted his hand away and said, 72 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 1: how could you ask such a thing? You shall not 73 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,800 Speaker 1: violate me in that way. Where would I be able 74 00:05:08,839 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: to go with that type of shame? You would be 75 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: the greatest fool in all Israel. Amnan's blood boiled within 76 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 1: him at her words. He grabbed her leg harshly and 77 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 1: threw her beneath him on the bed. Amnan was far 78 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 1: stronger than Tamar, so he had his way with her. 79 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 1: Nobody could hear her whimpering through the chamber doors. After 80 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:31,479 Speaker 1: am Nan was through, he threw Tamar off of the 81 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 1: bed and said get out of here. Because she rejected him, 82 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,479 Speaker 1: he hated her with a greater intensity than he ever 83 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:42,599 Speaker 1: loved her. Tears filled her eyes as Amnan's servant was 84 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: called in to throw her out of his home. She 85 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:48,839 Speaker 1: went to a secret place and wept before God. Ashamed 86 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 1: of what had happened, she ran to her brother Absalom 87 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:56,560 Speaker 1: and told him all that had happened. So she stayed 88 00:05:56,600 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 1: with her brother, and Absalom plotted his revenge against Amnon. 89 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 1: Two full years had passed and Amnon had nearly forgotten 90 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:09,160 Speaker 1: his terrible crimes against Tamar. Yet Absalom did not. He 91 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:12,360 Speaker 1: could never forgive him. He invited all of his brothers 92 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 1: to feast in celebration of the sheep shearing festival. Together 93 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:20,679 Speaker 1: they ate, drank and celebrated with music. But Absalom drank nothing. 94 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 1: He ate nothing. Instead, he observed Amnon closely. Amnon drank 95 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 1: until his heart was merry without a care in the world. 96 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:33,599 Speaker 1: He danced and stumbled about, enjoying the company of his brothers. 97 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:38,159 Speaker 1: Soon he passed out among the sheep. After this, the 98 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 1: other brothers departed to leave Absalom alone with Amnon. He 99 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:46,360 Speaker 1: nudged Amnon awake. Amnon opened his eyes to see Absalom 100 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: standing above him with his sword in his hand. Before 101 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 1: he could say a word, a blade was driven straight 102 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: through his heart. David was given word that Absalom had 103 00:06:56,440 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 1: killed Amnon and was greatly disturbed. At first, he had 104 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:03,039 Speaker 1: thought that Absalom killed all of his sons, but was 105 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: quickly comforted to know that Absalom had only killed Amnon. 106 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 1: He was not surprised by Absalom's actions, for he knew 107 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 1: that his son was capable of great violence. Nevertheless, he 108 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 1: mourned his son's death and awaited the return of his 109 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 1: other sons. Absalom, however, did not return. He remained in Gishure. 110 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 1: A darkness had been unleashed that night in Absalom's heart, 111 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 1: A bitterness towards his father arised it was David that 112 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 1: should have killed Amnon. Instead, he did nothing, so Absalom 113 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:39,240 Speaker 1: remained there for a while, plotting to seek revenge on 114 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 1: his father, David. Today's scripture opens with the echoes of 115 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 1: Abraham and Jacob, but for all the wrong reasons. Like 116 00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 1: the patriarchs before him, David had not denied himself the 117 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:58,480 Speaker 1: pleasure of taking many. Wise, he was not ignorant of 118 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:01,720 Speaker 1: the sacredness of Mary's that God's design was for man 119 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 1: to cleave to his wife, to be one flesh with her. 120 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 1: But he was simply unwilling to deny himself the beautiful 121 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:11,080 Speaker 1: women that were available to him as a decorated warrior 122 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 1: and a powerful king. And just as had happened with 123 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 1: the men before him, David's choices produced a fertile ground 124 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:24,960 Speaker 1: for divided loyalties, family dysfunction, and animosity among siblings. God's 125 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 1: design for marriage is not a trivial rule meant to 126 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 1: deprive us of enjoyment. It is a wise guardrail to 127 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 1: protect his own children, to produce flourishing in the family 128 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 1: and peace in the community and world. And when it 129 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 1: is violated, there will always be problems and terrible consequences. 130 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 1: There's no greater reminder of this than the history of Amnon, 131 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:52,760 Speaker 1: Tamar and Absalom. Amnon burned with desire for his own sister, 132 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:55,520 Speaker 1: and he listened to a wicked friend who told him 133 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 1: to just take what he wanted, even giving him a 134 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: plan for how to go about it. It's no mistake 135 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:03,280 Speaker 1: that the Book of Proverbs opens with the truth that 136 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 1: blessed are those who do not walk in the council 137 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 1: of the wicked. But Amnon listened to the council of 138 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 1: the ungodly and lured his sister into his room. When 139 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:17,840 Speaker 1: she properly rejected his advances, Amnon raped her then cast 140 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 1: her away, hating her for the rejection. So Tamar fled 141 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 1: to another brother's home, the home of Absalom, and told 142 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 1: him what had happened, And what about David? Was he 143 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:31,920 Speaker 1: even aware of what was happening? Second Samuel thirteen twenty 144 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:35,200 Speaker 1: one gives us the answer. When King David heard of 145 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:39,320 Speaker 1: all these things, he was very angry, so he did 146 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:44,200 Speaker 1: know what happened. But apparently he does nothing. Again, like 147 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 1: others before him, men like Isaac and Jacob, David saw 148 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 1: the strife and the sin of his own children, but 149 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 1: did nothing to intervene. But Absalom was not going to 150 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:58,160 Speaker 1: sit idly by. Absalom is in a rage because what 151 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 1: has happened to his sister, and he is about to 152 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:04,680 Speaker 1: take revenge on his brother. One day, he called his 153 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:08,199 Speaker 1: siblings to a feast. He waited until Amnon was good 154 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:12,079 Speaker 1: and drunk, and then he sent his servants to kill Amnon. 155 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 1: His other brothers fled in fear of their brother. David 156 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:18,199 Speaker 1: received word of what had happened and tore his clothing 157 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 1: in mourning, thinking that all of his sons were dead, 158 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:24,199 Speaker 1: But Jonah Dab let him know that only Amnon had 159 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:29,440 Speaker 1: died as punishment for violating Tamar. Absalom knew now that 160 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:31,960 Speaker 1: he would be persanna on grata in the kingdom and 161 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:35,520 Speaker 1: with the king. So he fled where he hid, letting 162 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: his hatred and bitterness toward his father grow. He would 163 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:42,040 Speaker 1: one day return to Jerusalem, but would not find his 164 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 1: father waiting in open arms, and this rejection would fill 165 00:10:45,559 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 1: his heart with murderous intent. We'll hear about Absalom's return 166 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:53,600 Speaker 1: the next time. Dear Lord, we are reminded in this 167 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:57,440 Speaker 1: passage of scripture that there are always consequences for sin, 168 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 1: and we pray that therefore we would turn from sin 169 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 1: and never allow sinful choices to destroy our lives and 170 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:08,560 Speaker 1: our families. We do pray for grace and mercy for 171 00:11:08,600 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 1: those who have failed, that each one of us would 172 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 1: find in You and your grace and love displayed at 173 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:18,600 Speaker 1: the cross eternal life and salvation. We thank you that 174 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:21,960 Speaker 1: there is no sin that you cannot forgive, and that 175 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:25,720 Speaker 1: your blood, the blood of Jesus Christ, cleanses us from 176 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:29,600 Speaker 1: every sin. So Lord, we turn to you and we 177 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:33,679 Speaker 1: trust in you, and we find mercy and grace in 178 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:38,880 Speaker 1: Jesus name. Amen. Thank you for listening to today's Bible 179 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:41,320 Speaker 1: in a Year podcast. I hope you are enjoying it 180 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: as much as I am. This is Pastor Jack Graham 181 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 1: from Dallas, Texas. You can download the Prey dot com 182 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:50,679 Speaker 1: app and make prayer the priority in your life. And 183 00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 1: if you have enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone 184 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:56,920 Speaker 1: you love. By sharing this podcast, you can make a 185 00:11:56,960 --> 00:12:00,960 Speaker 1: difference in someone's life. This podcast is being listened to 186 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 1: all over the world by millions of people, and we 187 00:12:04,080 --> 00:12:07,120 Speaker 1: are celebrating the fact that God's word is being heard. 188 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:10,280 Speaker 1: And if you want more resources on how to tap 189 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 1: into God's power for living, be sure to visit Jack 190 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 1: Graham dot org. God bless you. This episode is sponsored 191 00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:27,079 Speaker 1: by Medicine an innovative healthcare solution for Christians to save 192 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 1: money without sacrificing quality