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Speaker 1: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans and I'm excited for you

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Speaker 1: to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be

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Speaker 1: sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so

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Speaker 1: you get the newest episodes right as they come out.

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Speaker 1: Welcome to the Epic Adventure of David. A story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,

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Speaker 1: and murder. While most people know of David the myth,

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Speaker 1: few know about David the man. In this episode, father

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Speaker 1: and son are pitted against each other. Absolom's hostile takeover

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Speaker 1: of Israel cannot be complete until David is dead. Absolom

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Speaker 1: has more resources than mercenaries at his disposal, but David

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Speaker 1: has his mighty men. This episode is about many things,

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Speaker 1: but more than anything, it is a tribute to the

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Speaker 1: warriors who have stuck by his side for so long.

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Speaker 1: The Bible has given us many insight into these warriors,

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Speaker 1: and we have done our best to give them the

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Speaker 1: honor they deserve. This episode focuses on them, especially since

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Speaker 1: David is unable to go into battle himself. David has

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Speaker 1: many allies on his side, and that is ultimately what

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Speaker 1: will turn the tide of the battle. Absalom as intelligent

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Speaker 1: as he is, will find himself sorely lacking in wisdom.

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Speaker 1: Before the story continues, we will listen to a prelude.

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Speaker 1: We are once again brought into a moment during Jesus's life. Judas,

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Speaker 1: one of Christ's closest friends, gives him up for thirty

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Speaker 1: pieces of silver, a cheap price for the god of

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Speaker 1: all creation. The guilt from his act drives Judas mad,

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Speaker 1: and he meets an undignified demise. His death is a

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Speaker 1: foreshadowing of another death in this episode. Who it is

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Speaker 1: you might have already guessed, but David may have other plans.

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Speaker 1: Join us for episode twenty seven. Hanging on a tree.

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Speaker 2: Prelude to chapter twenty seven. Standing at a distance was

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Speaker 2: Judas he looked down at his thirty pieces of silver.

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Speaker 2: They didn't feel right in his hands. They trembled, and

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Speaker 2: he put the pouch back in his cloak. A tinge

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Speaker 2: of regrets sparked in Judas as he watched Jesus tumble

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Speaker 2: down the temples steps. He watched them bind Jesus, strike him,

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Speaker 2: and throw him around.

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Speaker 3: Like a dollop.

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Speaker 2: His stomach churned as he listened to the painful grunts

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Speaker 2: of his master. Memories of Jesus healing the sick and

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Speaker 2: restoring sight to the blind flooded Judas's mind. It was

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Speaker 2: unbearable to think of Jesus being put to death because

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Speaker 2: of him. He banged on his head and began to

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Speaker 2: cry in anxious red. He yelled and ran towards the

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Speaker 2: temple courtroom. He burst through the doors and threw the

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Speaker 2: money bag back at Caiaphas.

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Speaker 4: Please, he yelled, take your money, take it.

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Speaker 2: I do not want Jesus to suffer. Caiaphas chuckled. What

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Speaker 2: am I to do with this?

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Speaker 4: He asked, what's done is done.

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Speaker 2: Judas frantically shook his head. Nervous tears filled his eyes.

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Speaker 5: No, no, no, no, he yelled.

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Speaker 3: I did not know he would be put to death.

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Speaker 4: I have sinned and betrayed innocent blood.

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Speaker 2: Judas fell to his knees, begging Caiaphas to reconsider. The

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Speaker 2: high priest scoffed.

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Speaker 4: Get up, you're an embarrassment, Take your money and be

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Speaker 4: in peace. A worker is worth his wages.

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Speaker 2: With that, Judas was escorted out of the temple walls.

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Speaker 2: Judas was thrown onto the floor. He lay there for

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Speaker 2: a long while. His eyes were blanketed with regret, he

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Speaker 2: rose to his feet. Sweat, tears, and blood dripped down

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Speaker 2: his cheeks. Judas hombled his way towards an olive tree.

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Speaker 2: He looked up. The clouds above were thrashing, ready to burst.

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Speaker 2: Judas shook his head. His eyes were glazed over as

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Speaker 2: he threw a nearby rope up onto the tree. He

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Speaker 2: climbed it, tied a noose around his neck, and jumped

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Speaker 2: off the branch. The rope tightened and Judas's body flailed

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Speaker 2: for a long moment. The sound of tightening rope and

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Speaker 2: rustling leaves cut through the silence of the early morning. Then,

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Speaker 2: as the sun rose, Judas breathed his last breath. Chapter

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Speaker 2: twenty seven. Hanging on a tree, Chariots of bronze burst

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Speaker 2: through the palace gates, trampling the well tended garden underfoot.

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Speaker 2: The chanting of Absalom's name grew louder and louder. As

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Speaker 2: he dismounted his horse, he turned to the people who

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Speaker 2: had followed behind him and waved King Absol, He whispered

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Speaker 2: to himself. He shook his head and.

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Speaker 6: Laughed, what a great king I will be.

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Speaker 2: He walked into the palace, with a Hithafel close behind him.

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Speaker 6: Gather any of the remaining advisers of the king. He ordered,

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Speaker 6: I would like to begin my reign as soon as possible.

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Speaker 2: A Hithafel gathered the men who were close to David

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Speaker 2: but refrained from following him into the wilderness. Among them

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Speaker 2: was Hashai, fresh from the Mount of Olives, where he

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Speaker 2: was commissioned by David to sow discord. Hashai entered into

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Speaker 2: the throne room of the king, ready to do the

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Speaker 2: dirty work of politics. He never thought he had a

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Speaker 2: knack for lying in deception. It was one of the

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Speaker 2: qualities that made David trust him so much. However, in

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Speaker 2: this moment, deception was required. He would do his best

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Speaker 2: to undermine Absalom and a Hithafal in their attempt to

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Speaker 2: overthrow the kingdom. David's reign in Israel hung in the balance.

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Speaker 2: Hashai entered and raised his arms to Absalom.

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Speaker 3: Long live the King, Long live the King, Long live

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Speaker 3: the King.

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Speaker 2: He shouted and clapped. Absalom cocked his head to the

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Speaker 2: side and peered at Hashai.

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Speaker 6: Hushai, is this the type of loyalty you give your

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Speaker 6: friend David? I know how close you two were. Why

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Speaker 6: did you not ret treat with him into the wilderness.

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Speaker 2: Hushai paused for a moment, remembering that he was not

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Speaker 2: very good at lying. He smiled and opened his palms.

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Speaker 3: Good, Absalom, My loyalty is to the king that the

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Speaker 3: lord and people choose. It is clear to me they

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Speaker 3: have chosen you. So here I am at your service,

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Speaker 3: just as I was for your father.

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Speaker 2: Hushai's lies seemed to satisfy Absalom, He was too prideful

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Speaker 2: to inquire further.

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Speaker 6: Very well, then, he said, we shall now discuss how

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Speaker 6: to establish me as king over the people. Perhaps a

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Speaker 6: show of force. What will make the people know I

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Speaker 6: am king?

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Speaker 2: He gestured to a hithefel.

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Speaker 6: What say you, counselor a.

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Speaker 2: Hithefel, bowed his head and furrowed his brow.

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Speaker 7: You must make your dominance over your father known to

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Speaker 7: all the people, he said. Showcase your power by going

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Speaker 7: into your father's concubines, ravage them, and make it known

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Speaker 7: to all the people that David is a stench and

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Speaker 7: you alone own the city.

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Speaker 2: Absalom, being the egotistical psychopath that he was, loved the idea.

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Speaker 2: They pitched a tent on the roof of the palace,

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Speaker 2: and one by one Absalom went into all ten of

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Speaker 2: his father's concubines. The entire nation of Israel heard about

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Speaker 2: what he was doing and immediately began to question the

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Speaker 2: validity of what was happening. Only minutes into being king,

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Speaker 2: Absalom made his first mistake, and Hushai planned how he

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Speaker 2: might continue those mistakes. Meanwhile, deep in the forests, resting

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Speaker 2: on the mount of Olives, David rose from his place

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Speaker 2: of prayer. He had sang a hymn of desperation and

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Speaker 2: trust in God. He knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt,

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Speaker 2: that he would be taken care of all he had

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Speaker 2: to do. Was remained righteous and willing to act when

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Speaker 2: called upon. The king led his people down the other

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Speaker 2: side of the mountain. As they were leaving the summit,

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Speaker 2: he heard a rustling in the bushes. Shama Abhshi and David,

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Speaker 2: all unsheathed their swords and prepared for a fight. From

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Speaker 2: the bush, A stone came flying out and hit Abershid

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Speaker 2: directly in the stomach. He keeled back and gasped. A

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Speaker 2: man came out shouting at them. It was Shimi I,

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Speaker 2: a member of Saul's family.

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Speaker 3: Get out of here, you man of blood. You are worthless.

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Speaker 3: You never measured up to King Saul. The Lord is

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Speaker 3: punishing you for the blood of Saul. This is what

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Speaker 3: you deserve, you man of blood. Shame on you.

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Speaker 2: Abishi rose to his feet and grabbed his sword.

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Speaker 7: You shall not speak to my king like that.

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Speaker 2: He shouted, and he darted towards Shimii. However, David ran

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Speaker 2: after him and held him back. Abashi turned around.

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Speaker 7: What are you doing? Let me go over there and

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Speaker 7: take off his head. Why should this dead dog curse

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Speaker 7: you like this?

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Speaker 8: Let it go, Abishai, David side, he is not worth

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Speaker 8: the trouble. Besides, perhaps his words are from the Lord.

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Speaker 7: What are you talking about, David?

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Speaker 2: Of course they aren't, Abishi exclaimed, he.

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Speaker 7: Is a bitter, old fool and be punished.

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Speaker 2: As Abeshi was saying this, shimi I continued to throw

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Speaker 2: stones and mud at them. David covered his head from

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Speaker 2: the stones and said, my own son wants me dead.

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Speaker 2: What could this man possibly say to make me feel

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Speaker 2: worse than I do?

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Speaker 8: Now leave him alone. If his words are from God,

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Speaker 8: then I deserved him. If he is sinning, then God

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Speaker 8: will punish either way, God would not be happy if

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Speaker 8: I lash out at him. Why would I return evil

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Speaker 8: for evil?

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Speaker 2: David began to walk away, but Shimmy, I was persisting.

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Speaker 2: He threw stones, mud and sticks at David. His men

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Speaker 2: did their best to shield him, but were unable to

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Speaker 2: block the pile of cow dung he threw at David's head.

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Speaker 2: It hit him in the side of the face, and

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Speaker 2: David stumbled to his knees. It was truly a low

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Speaker 2: point for the king. He was mocked, cursed, and had

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Speaker 2: dung on his face. The king stood to his feet

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Speaker 2: in dignity and pressed on. They camped beside the Jordan

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Speaker 2: River and refreshed themselves. David sang songs of hope to

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Speaker 2: encourage the people. Absalom tapped his fingers on the throne

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Speaker 2: and stared deeply into the fire. His gaze was intense,

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Speaker 2: and he was lost in deep thought. Absalom was a

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Speaker 2: patient man, consumed with every detail of his coup. The

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Speaker 2: final obstacle of his reign as king was David himself.

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Speaker 2: He needed him dead. A Hithefel and a Shy were

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Speaker 2: both standing at attention behind the throne. Hashin noticed a

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Speaker 2: Hithethel's eyes. They were intensely fixed on Absalom, like a

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Speaker 2: dog waiting for a bone. There was something strange about

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Speaker 2: a Hithefel. He was not well and clearly obsessed with

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Speaker 2: pleasing the new king. Ashan knew there was room to

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Speaker 2: cause chaos among the two of them. He just needed

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Speaker 2: to use his words very carefully. Hithephel Absalom said. The

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Speaker 2: councilor was quick to move in front of the throne

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Speaker 2: and bow his head.

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Speaker 6: What are your thoughts of about what we should do next?

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Speaker 6: Shall we hunt for David or send assassins?

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Speaker 7: A showing of strength is best, my lord, a Hithafel said,

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Speaker 7: let me choose twelve thousand men to pursue David. He

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Speaker 7: is less than a thousand with him, and less of

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Speaker 7: them are warriors. We will overwhelm them with few casualties

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Speaker 7: and focus on killing David alone. Once he is slain,

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Speaker 7: then the people are bound to follow us.

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Speaker 2: A Hithefel knelt down to the king and said.

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Speaker 7: Allow me to bring the people back to you like

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Speaker 7: a bride comes to her husband.

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Speaker 2: Absalom seemed to like his idea. A showing of strength

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Speaker 2: would establish him over David. It would be satisfying to

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Speaker 2: march against him with twelve thousand men behind him. He

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Speaker 2: wanted to prove to his father that he could lead

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Speaker 2: such an army. Absalom turned to Hashai and beckoned him forward.

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Speaker 6: What say you, Hashai, do you agree with the Hithophel?

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Speaker 6: Shall we march up against David?

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Speaker 2: Hashai looked at a Hithethel, and then back at Absalom.

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Speaker 3: A Hithafel is a wise man, but I believe this

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Speaker 3: time he is wrong, blatantly and clearly wrong.

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Speaker 2: A Hithefel's upper lip twitched into a brief snarl.

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Speaker 7: Do you not find the king strong enough to defeat

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Speaker 7: David with twelve thousand men behind him?

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Speaker 2: A Hithefhal scoffed. Hushai shook his head.

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Speaker 3: It's not that, my king, I swear. However, you should

218
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Speaker 3: know very well your father is surrounded by his mighty men.

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Speaker 3: Six hundred of them have toppled over forty thousand easily.

220
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Speaker 3: They are strong, good tacticians experience, and now you have

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Speaker 3: provoked them like a mother bear robbed of her cubs.

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Speaker 3: It does not seem to me a wise decision to

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Speaker 3: simply march against them and expect to win.

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Speaker 7: What if we surprise them, a Hithefel said, they will

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Speaker 7: need to rest. What if we attacked them in the

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Speaker 7: middle of the night.

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Speaker 2: Hushai shook his head again.

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Speaker 3: You clearly have not met King David. Do you really

229
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Speaker 3: think he would sleep among the people. No, he will

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Speaker 3: camp elsewhere to protect the people from harm. All you

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Speaker 3: will accomplish is attacking innocent people and being called a

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Speaker 3: murderer of fellow Israelites.

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Speaker 2: Absalom was annoyed, but knew Hashai was correct. Hahshai could

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Speaker 2: sense the tension between him, Absalom, and a Hithefel. He

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Speaker 2: breathed in deeply and thought for a moment. Perhaps, he began.

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Speaker 3: We should meet them at a neutral battlefield, one in

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Speaker 3: which we can get a clear vantage point of David.

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Speaker 3: We increase our efforts if we can target David specifically.

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Speaker 2: Hushai could tell that his answers were not satisfying Absalom,

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Speaker 2: so he appealed to his ego, saying.

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Speaker 3: I have no doubt that you will be able to

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Speaker 3: rally the men of Israel behind you. March up against

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Speaker 3: David and face him yourself. If for some reason he

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Speaker 3: gets past you and into the city, all Israel will

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Speaker 3: bring ropes, and we shall drag him into the valley

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Speaker 3: until not even a pebble is to be found there.

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Speaker 2: That final word stirred Absalom, and he was pleased with

248
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Speaker 2: Hashai very well. Absalom said, we shall march.

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Speaker 6: We will gather men and meet David and his band

250
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Speaker 6: of old dogs, and the entire world shall know that

251
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Speaker 6: I am the great King of Israel.

252
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Speaker 2: So Absalom rose from his throne to go and prepare,

253
00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:20,200
Speaker 2: leaving Hashai and a Hithefel alone. The two of them

254
00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,960
Speaker 2: stood there, staring at one another for a long time.

255
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Speaker 2: A Hithephel knew who Shai was up to something, but

256
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Speaker 2: could not prove it. Hashai could see the unbalanced psyche

257
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Speaker 2: of a Hithefel begin to teeter away. He was shaking

258
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Speaker 2: and nervous. Finally, Hashai spoke, saying, it is.

259
00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:41,440
Speaker 3: Time to prepare the man. A Hithephel, you should be

260
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Speaker 3: following the king.

261
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Speaker 2: A Hithephel said nothing. He left, and Hashai rushed to

262
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Speaker 2: go send word to David. He went to Abbiethar and Zaduk,

263
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Speaker 2: telling them all that was happening.

264
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Speaker 3: You must warn David not to rest in the warpath

265
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Speaker 3: of Absalom. If he is anywhere near the Jorda River,

266
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Speaker 3: he must escape now if his people want to live.

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Speaker 2: Jonathan and Ahimaas left to send the message to David

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Speaker 2: on behalf of their fathers. They ran into the night

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Speaker 2: like cats, scurrying through the streets without making a noise. However,

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Speaker 2: there were some who were aware of their mission. A

271
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Speaker 2: young man had seen them leaving the city and sent

272
00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:22,040
Speaker 2: word to Absalom's guards. They left on horseback in pursuit

273
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Speaker 2: of the young priests. Jonathan and Ahemaas ran for their lives,

274
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Speaker 2: cutting corners and hopping over barrels of wine and gray.

275
00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:32,360
Speaker 2: The chase was frantic, and the two men felt like

276
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Speaker 2: they were moments away from being captured. They turned the

277
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Speaker 2: corner to their rendezvous point with another woman messenger. She

278
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Speaker 2: was standing by the well waiting for them. Instead of

279
00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:46,280
Speaker 2: greeting her, the two young men leaped forward and jumped

280
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Speaker 2: into the well. When the woman saw the guard's riding,

281
00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:52,480
Speaker 2: she quickly lifted the large tarp covering and draped it

282
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Speaker 2: over the mouth of the well. The guards slid to

283
00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:59,160
Speaker 2: a stop and gallop. Where did they go? Where are

284
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Speaker 2: Jonathan Najimaas the woman didn't flinch. She pointed south and said, they.

285
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Speaker 8: Jumped into the brook and followed it downstream.

286
00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:09,920
Speaker 4: I think they were heading outside of the city.

287
00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:13,800
Speaker 2: She said. The guards wasted no time. They followed the

288
00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:16,600
Speaker 2: brook down for miles, searching desperately for the young men.

289
00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:20,080
Speaker 2: When they found nothing, they rode back into the city

290
00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:23,720
Speaker 2: and searched for them. There the woman uncovered the well.

291
00:16:24,360 --> 00:16:26,560
Speaker 2: The two young priests burst out of the water and

292
00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:27,280
Speaker 2: gasped for them.

293
00:16:27,920 --> 00:16:29,360
Speaker 5: You must leave now, the.

294
00:16:29,320 --> 00:16:32,640
Speaker 2: Woman said, they may be back. So the two men

295
00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:36,040
Speaker 2: ran into the night, sopping wet and filled with purpose.

296
00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:40,640
Speaker 2: The silvery moon hung over David's camp like a watchman.

297
00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:44,200
Speaker 2: Its silvery light shone down on them. Bouncing off the

298
00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:47,440
Speaker 2: water of the Jordan River, David washed his face in

299
00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,120
Speaker 2: the cool water, wiping off the last of the dung.

300
00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:53,800
Speaker 2: He sighed and looked up at the moon. It seemed

301
00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:56,560
Speaker 2: closer than usual, as if the eye of God was

302
00:16:56,600 --> 00:17:00,000
Speaker 2: bending down closer to keep a close watch. David showed

303
00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:03,720
Speaker 2: his head and chuckled. He wished Jonathan was here. He

304
00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:06,200
Speaker 2: longed to hear his wisdom on what he should do next.

305
00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:10,720
Speaker 2: He could not run forever. Eventually, he knew they would

306
00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:14,080
Speaker 2: have to fight. As the thought of fighting crossed his mind,

307
00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:15,520
Speaker 2: he wondered where Joab was.

308
00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:20,480
Speaker 8: Perhaps he too has abandoned me. David thought to himself,

309
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Speaker 8: I am no longer a man worth following the king

310
00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:26,399
Speaker 8: had a sinking feeling that he was being punished for

311
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Speaker 8: his sins. Nathan had prophesied that bloodshed would never leave

312
00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:34,520
Speaker 8: his house. This seemed like a reasonable fulfillment of that prophecy.

313
00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:38,479
Speaker 8: He looked back at the camp. Most of the people

314
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Speaker 8: had retreated into their tents for the night. He still

315
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Speaker 8: could not believe all his mighty men and hundreds of

316
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Speaker 8: his servants had followed him into the wilderness. He did

317
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Speaker 8: not find himself worthy of their loyalty, but he would

318
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Speaker 8: do his very best to protect them. They were his sheep,

319
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Speaker 8: and he was their shepherd. David caught a glimpse of

320
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Speaker 8: his son, Solomon, being carried into the tent with his muther.

321
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Speaker 8: He jogged over to them and gave his son a

322
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Speaker 8: kiss on the forehead. He tucked both of the men

323
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Speaker 8: and sang a hymn as they drifted asleep. He stroked

324
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Speaker 8: Solomon's hair and wondered what would become of him. You

325
00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:19,760
Speaker 8: are special, little one, David whispered, I wonder what would

326
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Speaker 8: become of you. The king left the tent and sat

327
00:18:23,800 --> 00:18:28,840
Speaker 8: down beside the fire. Abeshi, Shamah, Eliezar, and Attai were

328
00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:31,879
Speaker 8: already gathered around The fIF of them spoke for a

329
00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:35,919
Speaker 8: long while about the next steps. They bickered, laughed and cried.

330
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Speaker 8: It was just like old times in the wilderness. God

331
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Speaker 8: was still their leader, and they trusted the Lord for

332
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Speaker 8: his intervention. As the night was growing cold and the

333
00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:47,840
Speaker 8: men were ready to retreat into their tents, a stirring

334
00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:50,920
Speaker 8: was caused among the camp. The two young priests had

335
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Speaker 8: finally arrived with word from Hashai.

336
00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:55,360
Speaker 5: Absalom is marching.

337
00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,960
Speaker 4: They shouted, you must arise and go quickly over the

338
00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:01,879
Speaker 4: water for abb Salomon. The others will be here within

339
00:19:01,960 --> 00:19:03,159
Speaker 4: the next few days.

340
00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:06,680
Speaker 8: Where do they expect us to battle, David.

341
00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:10,440
Speaker 5: Asked Gilead David, they are sending many men to fight

342
00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:13,840
Speaker 5: against you. Absalom will not relent until he has you

343
00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:14,480
Speaker 5: in his grasp.

344
00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:18,359
Speaker 2: David nodded and dismissed the men to return home. He

345
00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:21,040
Speaker 2: slept that night, and first thing in the morning he

346
00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:24,280
Speaker 2: gathered all the people to cross the Jordan once again.

347
00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:27,879
Speaker 2: David found himself wading through the river unsure above the

348
00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:36,160
Speaker 2: next steps, A Hithafel watched Absalom leave with his army

349
00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:39,720
Speaker 2: to Gilead. Instead of appointing him as commander or joe

350
00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:43,680
Speaker 2: Ab as commander, he appointed Amasa, a boy and a brute.

351
00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:47,399
Speaker 2: A Hithafel had finally come to a breaking point. He

352
00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:50,280
Speaker 2: had stewed in anger against David for so long that

353
00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:53,600
Speaker 2: he was too quick to jump to Absalom's side. Now

354
00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:56,719
Speaker 2: he was a man without a king. He betrayed David,

355
00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:00,800
Speaker 2: and Absalom preferred the Council of Hashai over him. His

356
00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:03,879
Speaker 2: hands trembled and his cheeks were red with rage. He

357
00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:07,119
Speaker 2: took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and left to

358
00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:11,000
Speaker 2: return home. He set his house in order, tied a

359
00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:13,560
Speaker 2: noose to the top of his home, and hung himself.

360
00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:16,800
Speaker 2: His body hung there, lifeless, as a symbol of the

361
00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:20,360
Speaker 2: sad and sorry state of Israel, a nation without a king.

362
00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:26,280
Speaker 2: A storm was approaching. The wind howled from the east,

363
00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:29,359
Speaker 2: and David wrapped his cloak around him tightly as he

364
00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:33,840
Speaker 2: and his men marched forward. Absalom had crossed the Jordan River,

365
00:20:34,119 --> 00:20:38,159
Speaker 2: encamped at the forest of a freeham beside a large valley. David,

366
00:20:38,200 --> 00:20:40,960
Speaker 2: Etai and Abeshi climbed a small hill to get a

367
00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:44,640
Speaker 2: better view of the battlefield. It was rough and wide ground.

368
00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:47,639
Speaker 2: If they were to fight there, it would not be easy.

369
00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:52,240
Speaker 2: Absalom's men outnumbered David's five to one. An open field

370
00:20:52,240 --> 00:20:55,360
Speaker 2: would give the advantage to the army. With more men, we.

371
00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:58,119
Speaker 8: Can take the fight straight to the forest, David said.

372
00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,679
Speaker 8: If we take to day to march around on the valley,

373
00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:02,600
Speaker 8: we can meet them on the other side of the

374
00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:03,560
Speaker 8: forest of Evrihem.

375
00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:07,840
Speaker 7: It would certainly narrow the battle to a more manageable size.

376
00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:09,879
Speaker 2: Itai agreed, However, I.

377
00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:13,080
Speaker 7: Would still feel more comfortable if we had more men.

378
00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:16,000
Speaker 5: Then more men you shall get.

379
00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:19,240
Speaker 2: A voice called up from behind them. David and Abshi

380
00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:23,160
Speaker 2: looked over and behind them was Joab leading hundreds of soldiers.

381
00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:25,200
Speaker 2: He opened his arms up and smiled.

382
00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:28,240
Speaker 5: You did not think I joined the ranks of Absalom,

383
00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:28,560
Speaker 5: did you?

384
00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:32,200
Speaker 2: He burnt my fields. David laughed and embraced his friend.

385
00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:36,320
Speaker 2: The four of them discussed the situation and all arrived

386
00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:39,720
Speaker 2: at the same conclusion they had the best chance attacking

387
00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:43,240
Speaker 2: in the forest. David gathered the men together and began

388
00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:44,320
Speaker 2: to map out the battle.

389
00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,679
Speaker 8: Abashi, you will take a third of the men and

390
00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:50,679
Speaker 8: attack first. Itai will take a third of the attack

391
00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:53,280
Speaker 8: from the flank. Joe, ab you will take the last

392
00:21:53,320 --> 00:21:56,680
Speaker 8: third and ambush them. Once the battle has been initiated,

393
00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,840
Speaker 8: I will march with Abishai at the front. I desire

394
00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:04,439
Speaker 8: to face Absalom myself and bring him back with me.

395
00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:08,159
Speaker 8: Any questions, The three others looked at each other with

396
00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:11,679
Speaker 8: concerned looks on their faces. What is wrong, David asked.

397
00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:14,240
Speaker 8: Joab answered and said.

398
00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:17,639
Speaker 5: My king, this is a battle. You should not march

399
00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:19,520
Speaker 5: into what no.

400
00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:21,480
Speaker 2: I must go with you.

401
00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:24,919
Speaker 8: It is my duteous king, and I will not abandon

402
00:22:24,960 --> 00:22:26,240
Speaker 8: you like I did in Amon.

403
00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:29,119
Speaker 2: This is different, it I protested.

404
00:22:29,320 --> 00:22:32,320
Speaker 7: If you are there, they will not relent until you

405
00:22:32,359 --> 00:22:36,119
Speaker 7: are captured. However, if you are absent, it gives us

406
00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:39,600
Speaker 7: the option to retreat. They do not care about us.

407
00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:41,040
Speaker 7: They only care about you.

408
00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:43,520
Speaker 2: Joe have placed a hand on David's shoulder.

409
00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:45,880
Speaker 5: I would not want to fight against my own son.

410
00:22:46,720 --> 00:22:48,560
Speaker 5: If the moment came when I had to slay him

411
00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:51,400
Speaker 5: for the good of the nation, I am not sure

412
00:22:51,440 --> 00:22:54,639
Speaker 5: I would have the strength. So I will spare you

413
00:22:54,680 --> 00:22:57,160
Speaker 5: from that decision, you should defend the city near by

414
00:22:57,240 --> 00:22:59,840
Speaker 5: with a group of mighty men. If we need to retreat,

415
00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:02,360
Speaker 5: we will flee into the nearby city, and you can

416
00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:03,280
Speaker 5: help us escape.

417
00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:07,520
Speaker 2: David paused for a long while. He sighed and looked

418
00:23:07,520 --> 00:23:11,119
Speaker 2: out over the horizon again. His son was camped near

419
00:23:11,160 --> 00:23:14,360
Speaker 2: the forest, probably strategizing with his own men on how

420
00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:17,240
Speaker 2: to slay him. It hurt him deeply that he had

421
00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:20,320
Speaker 2: to march against his own son. He understood the point

422
00:23:20,320 --> 00:23:23,199
Speaker 2: his men made and did not argue. He lifted his

423
00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:26,520
Speaker 2: hand in surrender and said, whatever seems best to you,

424
00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:30,000
Speaker 2: I will do so. The king took reinforcements to the

425
00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:33,560
Speaker 2: border of Gilead. Near the gate. He ordered and placed

426
00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:36,800
Speaker 2: Joe ab abshi in Ittai in the proper formations and

427
00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:40,880
Speaker 2: sent them off. However, before they left, David stopped them

428
00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:46,560
Speaker 2: and said, please deal gently with Absolom for my sake.

429
00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:52,720
Speaker 2: Bring him home alive if possible. They nodded and departed

430
00:23:52,720 --> 00:23:56,439
Speaker 2: for the forest. The storm above continued to pick up speed,

431
00:23:57,080 --> 00:23:59,720
Speaker 2: and the blustering wind howled through the woods like a

432
00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:03,359
Speaker 2: pass of ravenous wolves. The clouds blocked out the sun

433
00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:07,000
Speaker 2: and the woods remained in darkness. Scouts from the camp

434
00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:09,800
Speaker 2: of Israel sent word to Absalom that David's men were

435
00:24:09,840 --> 00:24:12,720
Speaker 2: marching from behind them, so he rallied his men to

436
00:24:12,800 --> 00:24:16,680
Speaker 2: absorb the attack. They pressed forward into the forest, listening

437
00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:20,880
Speaker 2: for David's men. Absalom had marched with Joab before when

438
00:24:20,920 --> 00:24:24,640
Speaker 2: doing raids of smaller nations. However, he was not aware

439
00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:27,760
Speaker 2: of the full strength of David's mighty men. Legends of

440
00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:30,480
Speaker 2: their power were more of a fantasy to him than reality.

441
00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:35,000
Speaker 2: He was gravely mistaken. The first attack was from Abishire.

442
00:24:35,680 --> 00:24:40,040
Speaker 2: Behind him were Eliezar, Shama and Joshubin. They attacked with

443
00:24:40,119 --> 00:24:43,879
Speaker 2: the same speed as the wind above them. Absalom furrowed

444
00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:50,000
Speaker 2: his brow and lifted his sword. He commanded the combined

445
00:24:50,040 --> 00:24:54,000
Speaker 2: remnants of Israel's army with Absalom's mercenaries ran forward and

446
00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:58,080
Speaker 2: clashed with Abashink. Shama ran ahead with his sword, and

447
00:24:58,160 --> 00:25:01,480
Speaker 2: he dodged the initial attacks, slashing men at the ankles

448
00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:04,280
Speaker 2: as he went. His sword was an extension of his

449
00:25:04,359 --> 00:25:07,159
Speaker 2: own body, and was with it He once killed an

450
00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:10,280
Speaker 2: entire army of Philistines on his own for protecting a

451
00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:15,560
Speaker 2: hundred field. Joshubine was not far behind. He rang gracefully

452
00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:18,359
Speaker 2: with his spear, as yet every man who came up

453
00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:20,359
Speaker 2: against him was met with the tip of the spear,

454
00:25:20,560 --> 00:25:24,399
Speaker 2: blast of their thrill to chest. His speed was unmatched,

455
00:25:24,760 --> 00:25:27,800
Speaker 2: and the grace with which he yielded his weapon was uncared.

456
00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:30,960
Speaker 2: It is what earned him the place of captain, and

457
00:25:31,040 --> 00:25:33,720
Speaker 2: how he once killed eight hundred men all by himself.

458
00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:38,679
Speaker 2: Elizar held out over his ground until more enemies stepped forward.

459
00:25:39,359 --> 00:25:44,080
Speaker 2: Dozens launched themselves at him, only to perish immediately. Elizar's

460
00:25:44,119 --> 00:25:47,040
Speaker 2: sturdiness and strength earned him the trust of King David.

461
00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:50,000
Speaker 2: He once fought with David for so long that his

462
00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:53,360
Speaker 2: sword stuck to his hand. That's a long panicked as

463
00:25:53,359 --> 00:25:56,879
Speaker 2: he watched David's mighty men fight. They were more ferocious

464
00:25:56,880 --> 00:25:59,919
Speaker 2: than lions and quicker than honest. It was beginning to

465
00:26:00,040 --> 00:26:02,360
Speaker 2: feel the full weight of just how strong they were.

466
00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:06,000
Speaker 2: He turned back to retreat back in the forest, but

467
00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:10,040
Speaker 2: hit time was already attacking at the flag. They gave

468
00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:13,879
Speaker 2: Absalom no choice but to fight. If he wanted the throne,

469
00:26:14,040 --> 00:26:16,399
Speaker 2: he would have to spill blood on the battlefield, just

470
00:26:16,560 --> 00:26:20,280
Speaker 2: as David did. So. Absalom rode forward on his horse,

471
00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:24,480
Speaker 2: slashing through opponents and leaning on his training, Joe Ab

472
00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:28,000
Speaker 2: was not far behind with his men when he finally entered.

473
00:26:28,320 --> 00:26:31,680
Speaker 2: That was Absalom's signal to flee. He whipped his horse

474
00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:34,560
Speaker 2: and rode as fast as he could. The tree covering

475
00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:37,159
Speaker 2: became shorter and shorter as the horse rode under the

476
00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:41,200
Speaker 2: thick branches. Absalom slashed through the branches with his sword,

477
00:26:41,359 --> 00:26:44,720
Speaker 2: frantically trying to escape. He could hear the clamoring of

478
00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:47,840
Speaker 2: soldiers in pursuit behind him. He yelled in fear and

479
00:26:47,880 --> 00:26:51,080
Speaker 2: whipped his horse even more to pick ump speed. The

480
00:26:51,160 --> 00:26:54,679
Speaker 2: great oaks covered the skies and the branches intertwined with

481
00:26:54,760 --> 00:26:58,520
Speaker 2: one another above him, The covering became lower and lower,

482
00:26:58,760 --> 00:27:03,080
Speaker 2: until finally Absalom rode fast as a Turkish, getting his

483
00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:07,080
Speaker 2: head caught between them. The force crushed his throat and

484
00:27:07,160 --> 00:27:10,520
Speaker 2: the horse continued to ride forward, leaving the prince hanging

485
00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:13,920
Speaker 2: by his neck in the air. He gasped and struggled

486
00:27:13,920 --> 00:27:16,760
Speaker 2: to free himself, but his neck was lodged deep into

487
00:27:16,800 --> 00:27:20,280
Speaker 2: the oak. One of the soldiers saw Absalom struggling to

488
00:27:20,320 --> 00:27:22,280
Speaker 2: get free and ran to tell Joe Ab.

489
00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:25,800
Speaker 7: Whi Joe Abb Absalom is hanging from a tree.

490
00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:28,560
Speaker 2: Joe Ab took the man by the collar and yelled.

491
00:27:28,359 --> 00:27:31,080
Speaker 5: You saw him hanging there, and you did not strike

492
00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:33,159
Speaker 5: him down to the ground. I would have given you

493
00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:35,160
Speaker 5: ten pieces of silver if you killed him.

494
00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:36,920
Speaker 2: The soldier panicked and said.

495
00:27:37,359 --> 00:27:41,520
Speaker 8: But King David, said Doctor Havin, even if you offered

496
00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:44,600
Speaker 8: me a thousand pieces of silver, I would not dare

497
00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:45,960
Speaker 8: kill the cat's son.

498
00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:49,360
Speaker 2: Joe Ab scoffed and grabbed three spears and marched into

499
00:27:49,400 --> 00:27:53,639
Speaker 2: the forest. The wind mettled through the forest, nearly knocking

500
00:27:53,640 --> 00:27:57,960
Speaker 2: the young soldier off his feet. However, Joeab marched forward unhindered.

501
00:27:58,920 --> 00:28:02,240
Speaker 2: Hanging in the oak ring above was Absalom. He was

502
00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:05,560
Speaker 2: gasping for air and trying to break himself free. Joe

503
00:28:05,600 --> 00:28:08,040
Speaker 2: Ab stood below him and called out to him.

504
00:28:08,119 --> 00:28:09,000
Speaker 5: Your majesty.

505
00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:14,560
Speaker 2: Absalom looked below, unable to say anything. Joab took his

506
00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:17,600
Speaker 2: first spear and gripped at him. He swung it around

507
00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:21,040
Speaker 2: a few times, then threw it upwards, going through Absalom's shoulder.

508
00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:24,439
Speaker 2: The tip of the spear went straight through him, breaking

509
00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:27,320
Speaker 2: off the branch that held him. He fell to the

510
00:28:27,359 --> 00:28:31,679
Speaker 2: ground hard. Absalom took a deep breath. Finally able to breathe,

511
00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:34,719
Speaker 2: but in pain from the spear in his shoulder, he

512
00:28:34,760 --> 00:28:38,000
Speaker 2: stood and tried to run, but Joeab through the other spear.

513
00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:41,000
Speaker 2: It was a direct hit through his back and out

514
00:28:41,040 --> 00:28:44,480
Speaker 2: through the left side of his stomach. Absalom cried out

515
00:28:44,480 --> 00:28:48,480
Speaker 2: in intense pain, shaking on the floor. Joab rolled his

516
00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:51,880
Speaker 2: neck back and drew a deep breath. You wantn't know something,

517
00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:53,800
Speaker 2: he said to the screaming man on the ground.

518
00:28:54,320 --> 00:28:58,880
Speaker 5: After all this, your father still wanted me to spare you.

519
00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:02,960
Speaker 2: Absalom held out his arm and crawled backwards away from

520
00:29:03,040 --> 00:29:03,440
Speaker 2: joe Ab.

521
00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:07,240
Speaker 3: Please, he coughed, have mercy.

522
00:29:07,760 --> 00:29:12,680
Speaker 5: You received your mercy, Absalom. Your father gave it twice.

523
00:29:13,880 --> 00:29:16,200
Speaker 5: I will not let him give it a third time.

524
00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:20,560
Speaker 2: Joab took his third spear and drove it through absalom stack.

525
00:29:21,560 --> 00:29:24,720
Speaker 2: He looked at the life slowly fading away from Absalom's eyes.

526
00:29:25,360 --> 00:29:27,640
Speaker 2: He let go of his spear and allowed the other

527
00:29:27,680 --> 00:29:31,840
Speaker 2: men to take turns stabbing him. The tyrant prince was dead,

528
00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:36,200
Speaker 2: and along with him the coup. Joab had finished him off,

529
00:29:36,840 --> 00:29:40,920
Speaker 2: despite David's orders to spare him. A rebellion was ended

530
00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:44,440
Speaker 2: by another act of rebellion. The irony did not escape

531
00:29:44,520 --> 00:29:47,560
Speaker 2: joe AaB. He took Absalom's body and threw him into

532
00:29:47,560 --> 00:29:50,520
Speaker 2: a great pit in the forest. A heap of stones

533
00:29:50,520 --> 00:29:53,640
Speaker 2: were thrown over his body as a memorial to him.

534
00:29:54,040 --> 00:29:56,600
Speaker 2: Joab looked at the entire army of Israel that had

535
00:29:56,600 --> 00:30:00,000
Speaker 2: fought with Absalom. The men he once led stood before

536
00:30:00,160 --> 00:30:05,120
Speaker 2: him in shame. Back to your homes, he shouted, every

537
00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:09,200
Speaker 2: man left to return to Jerusalem. Joe Ab stood over

538
00:30:09,240 --> 00:30:12,800
Speaker 2: the pile of stones. The clouds above were thrashing, ready

539
00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:17,040
Speaker 2: to burst. A rain was coming soon. Joe Ab spat

540
00:30:17,040 --> 00:30:21,920
Speaker 2: at the stones. Long live the king, he said. He

541
00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:24,840
Speaker 2: and his men returned to the king, ready to restore

542
00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:26,880
Speaker 2: peace back to God's people.

543
00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:35,880
Speaker 1: King Absalom's reign was quick. His rise was dramatic and fierce,

544
00:30:36,400 --> 00:30:40,040
Speaker 1: and his fall was disgraceful and gory. If we were

545
00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:43,400
Speaker 1: to just look at Saul and absolute lives, it would

546
00:30:43,440 --> 00:30:46,160
Speaker 1: send a clear message that kings are doomed to fall.

547
00:30:46,920 --> 00:30:49,280
Speaker 1: When you read first and second Kings, you get a

548
00:30:49,320 --> 00:30:53,200
Speaker 1: similar message. Many of the kings after David Rose quickly

549
00:30:53,320 --> 00:30:58,240
Speaker 1: forgot their purpose and fell dramatically. Just a few episodes ago,

550
00:30:58,760 --> 00:31:01,200
Speaker 1: we thought David might s Yah the same fate, but

551
00:31:01,280 --> 00:31:04,280
Speaker 1: he didn't. What sets David apart from these other kings.

552
00:31:04,840 --> 00:31:07,560
Speaker 1: What set David apart from the kings of the ancient

553
00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:10,720
Speaker 1: world who conquered and then were conquered. We can go

554
00:31:10,840 --> 00:31:14,040
Speaker 1: back to the beginning for that answer. In episode three,

555
00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:18,360
Speaker 1: Samuel tells Saul about his chosen king. The Lord has

556
00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:21,480
Speaker 1: sought out another to replace you. He has sought out

557
00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:23,959
Speaker 1: a man who is after his own heart. He has

558
00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:26,360
Speaker 1: sought out a man who cares more about pleasing the

559
00:31:26,360 --> 00:31:29,320
Speaker 1: heart of God than looking for the approval of man.

560
00:31:30,080 --> 00:31:32,960
Speaker 1: This king shall be prince over the Lord's people. He

561
00:31:33,040 --> 00:31:36,000
Speaker 1: shall steward God's people well, and it will be his

562
00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:40,520
Speaker 1: kingdom that continues into eternity. Even in his failures, wanderings,

563
00:31:40,520 --> 00:31:44,280
Speaker 1: and missteps, David comes back to the Lord every time

564
00:31:44,760 --> 00:31:48,520
Speaker 1: he seeks after his heart, and faithfulness of God is

565
00:31:48,520 --> 00:31:52,400
Speaker 1: his safety net. He is a refuge and strength for him.

566
00:31:52,880 --> 00:31:56,000
Speaker 1: No matter how far David falls, God lifts him back up.

567
00:31:56,560 --> 00:31:59,480
Speaker 1: God's relationship to David is a symbol of his relationship

568
00:31:59,520 --> 00:32:03,480
Speaker 1: with Israel. Time after time, Israel fails, but when they

569
00:32:03,480 --> 00:32:06,600
Speaker 1: cry out to him, he is faithful to respond. He

570
00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:10,280
Speaker 1: keeps his promises to them. God is faithful even when

571
00:32:10,320 --> 00:32:15,640
Speaker 1: David isn't. Absolute naturally is doing everything without God. The

572
00:32:15,680 --> 00:32:18,840
Speaker 1: pride of the throne that corrupted Saul's heart may quick

573
00:32:18,880 --> 00:32:22,720
Speaker 1: work of Absolom. Not even minutes into being king does

574
00:32:22,720 --> 00:32:26,600
Speaker 1: he have a horrendous failure. He ravages his father's harem,

575
00:32:26,880 --> 00:32:31,640
Speaker 1: subjugates the people, and marches to go fight the mighty men. Absolom,

576
00:32:31,720 --> 00:32:34,720
Speaker 1: a man of wit, lost all of his sensibilities when

577
00:32:34,720 --> 00:32:38,280
Speaker 1: he became king. Pride tends to cancel out whatever our

578
00:32:38,320 --> 00:32:42,000
Speaker 1: gifts are. Absolom was a smart man, but that was

579
00:32:42,040 --> 00:32:44,680
Speaker 1: no room for so but thinking when pride occupied his mind.

580
00:32:45,240 --> 00:32:47,760
Speaker 1: Think about some of the gifts you have. Think about

581
00:32:47,760 --> 00:32:51,040
Speaker 1: how much more useful they would be without any pride

582
00:32:51,120 --> 00:32:55,680
Speaker 1: or arrogance. Herbers stains our ambitions, but humility makes them clean.

583
00:32:56,760 --> 00:32:59,520
Speaker 1: David proved once again to be a humble man. And

584
00:32:59,640 --> 00:33:02,520
Speaker 1: angry man came out of the forest and threw stones

585
00:33:02,560 --> 00:33:06,280
Speaker 1: and dung at him, but David remain calm. David and

586
00:33:06,320 --> 00:33:11,240
Speaker 1: Absalom are contrasted in this episode. While Absalom demanded respect,

587
00:33:11,480 --> 00:33:15,320
Speaker 1: David allowed dung to be thrown at him. David needs

588
00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:17,720
Speaker 1: to show even more humility. When it is time to

589
00:33:17,760 --> 00:33:20,520
Speaker 1: march in a battle. He wants to ride with his men,

590
00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:23,000
Speaker 1: but they all agree it's best for him to stay back.

591
00:33:23,640 --> 00:33:25,880
Speaker 1: Think about how hard this must have been for David.

592
00:33:26,400 --> 00:33:28,600
Speaker 1: Not only does he need to sit on his hands

593
00:33:28,600 --> 00:33:31,080
Speaker 1: while his brothers fight, he will not be able to

594
00:33:31,120 --> 00:33:34,920
Speaker 1: protect Absalom from being killed. Even though David is the king,

595
00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:38,120
Speaker 1: he submits to the advice of his men. This is

596
00:33:38,120 --> 00:33:40,840
Speaker 1: a growing moment for David, who in the last episodes

597
00:33:40,840 --> 00:33:44,160
Speaker 1: refused to take counsel. Joe ab and the Mighty Men

598
00:33:44,240 --> 00:33:47,440
Speaker 1: marched against Absolom, and the tide of the battle quickly

599
00:33:47,480 --> 00:33:51,960
Speaker 1: shifts in their favor. What did Absolom expect? Pride clouded

600
00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:55,160
Speaker 1: his better judgment. He should have known he was no

601
00:33:55,280 --> 00:33:59,400
Speaker 1: match for his father's finest warriors. The episode ends with

602
00:33:59,440 --> 00:34:03,320
Speaker 1: Absolum for his life then getting his neck caught between

603
00:34:03,360 --> 00:34:07,760
Speaker 1: two intersecting branches. It's a horrific image that gets even

604
00:34:07,840 --> 00:34:11,440
Speaker 1: worse when joeb arrives, the commander of David's army, doesn't

605
00:34:11,480 --> 00:34:14,600
Speaker 1: spare Absolom, and we are left wondering if he made

606
00:34:14,640 --> 00:34:17,720
Speaker 1: the right call. David had a tendency to show mercy

607
00:34:17,760 --> 00:34:20,600
Speaker 1: when judgment may have been more appropriate, especially when it

608
00:34:20,600 --> 00:34:24,200
Speaker 1: came to his sons, But is rebellion away to squash

609
00:34:24,200 --> 00:34:29,160
Speaker 1: a rebellion? Joeb recognized the irony himself. This leads us

610
00:34:29,200 --> 00:34:32,960
Speaker 1: to consider a few questions. Do too wrong, sometimes make

611
00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:38,000
Speaker 1: a right? Do the end sometimes justify the means. We

612
00:34:38,040 --> 00:34:40,680
Speaker 1: are told exactly what the answers to those questions are,

613
00:34:41,200 --> 00:34:44,720
Speaker 1: but we are invited to wrestle with them. Joeab robed

614
00:34:44,719 --> 00:34:48,360
Speaker 1: Absolom the chance to change his ways, and Joe ABS's words,

615
00:34:48,880 --> 00:34:52,400
Speaker 1: you received your mercy, Absolom. Your father gave it twice.

616
00:34:52,640 --> 00:34:54,560
Speaker 1: I will not let him give it a third time.

617
00:34:55,200 --> 00:34:58,480
Speaker 1: Odds are Absolum wouldn't have truly changed. But was that

618
00:34:58,600 --> 00:35:01,360
Speaker 1: Joe AaB's call to make. We will leave the question

619
00:35:01,440 --> 00:35:04,080
Speaker 1: open for now and see how Joe Ab in David's

620
00:35:04,080 --> 00:35:09,080
Speaker 1: relationship evolved in our next episode. Absalom hung from a tree,

621
00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:12,600
Speaker 1: disgraced as a traitor, but David still loved him till

622
00:35:12,640 --> 00:35:16,280
Speaker 1: the end. This brings us back to the prelude. Judas

623
00:35:16,400 --> 00:35:18,960
Speaker 1: is the one who sold Jesus out, also hung from

624
00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:21,640
Speaker 1: a tree. He betrayed him and gave him up to

625
00:35:21,680 --> 00:35:25,040
Speaker 1: be killed, but Jesus loved him till the end. And

626
00:35:25,160 --> 00:35:28,880
Speaker 1: John thirteen, we're told that Jesus washed all his disciples feet.

627
00:35:29,239 --> 00:35:32,000
Speaker 1: He serves every single one of them, including Judas, who

628
00:35:32,120 --> 00:35:35,799
Speaker 1: hours later sold him for thirty pieces of silver. Judas's

629
00:35:35,800 --> 00:35:39,000
Speaker 1: actions did not change Jesus's love for him, just like

630
00:35:39,080 --> 00:35:42,440
Speaker 1: Absalom's actions did not change David's love for him. Know this,

631
00:35:42,560 --> 00:35:44,880
Speaker 1: brothers and sisters, no matter what you have done, on

632
00:35:44,960 --> 00:35:48,719
Speaker 1: how far you strayed, God still loves you. Jesus's love

633
00:35:48,840 --> 00:35:51,799
Speaker 1: is greater than your sin. Even in our rebellion, God

634
00:35:51,840 --> 00:35:54,440
Speaker 1: still begs for us to come back to him. In

635
00:35:54,520 --> 00:35:57,480
Speaker 1: our next episode, David continues to mourn the loss of

636
00:35:57,520 --> 00:36:00,400
Speaker 1: his son. His tender heart is put on this same play,

637
00:36:00,880 --> 00:36:03,040
Speaker 1: But it may be time for David to seize his

638
00:36:03,160 --> 00:36:07,120
Speaker 1: tears and steady his grip. What Abslom started is not over.

639
00:36:07,840 --> 00:36:11,680
Speaker 1: Join us for episode twenty eight, The Rebellion of Sheba.

640
00:36:12,320 --> 00:36:15,920
Speaker 1: Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers

641
00:36:15,920 --> 00:36:19,240
Speaker 1: and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com,

642
00:36:19,440 --> 00:36:22,960
Speaker 1: and to expand your heroes in the Bible Journey, download

643
00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:26,839
Speaker 1: the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org.

644
00:36:27,200 --> 00:36:31,360
Speaker 1: Forward slash Heroes. Follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify

645
00:36:31,719 --> 00:36:34,759
Speaker 1: to get the newest episodes right as they come out,

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Speaker 1: and always be inspired by the Bible. God bless