1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,280 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and it came to pass while they 2 00:00:04,280 --> 00:00:07,440 Speaker 1: were in the way, that Tidings came to David saying, 3 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:11,480 Speaker 1: Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is 4 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:17,800 Speaker 1: not one of them left Second Samuel thirteen thirty. Dear Lord, 5 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 1: as the tragedy in Second Samuel thirteen comes to light, 6 00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:23,799 Speaker 1: I thank you that you are setting a hedge of 7 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:27,600 Speaker 1: protection around me, so that I am protected from others 8 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 1: taking advantage of me and my kindness. When the grip 9 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: of manipulation seems to overpower me, I lean on the 10 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 1: fact that you will provide a way of escape, even 11 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:42,159 Speaker 1: when the amnons of this world seem to have the 12 00:00:42,240 --> 00:00:46,680 Speaker 1: upper hand. I choose to praise you because in the end, 13 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:50,919 Speaker 1: you will always vindicate and validate me. Because I am 14 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:56,640 Speaker 1: your child. With this truth, I know that whatever is 15 00:00:56,680 --> 00:01:00,120 Speaker 1: done too or against me will not stop the plan 16 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:03,840 Speaker 1: you have for my life, because you are careful to 17 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:09,119 Speaker 1: bring every word you speak to fruition. It's through your 18 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 1: power and through your might that I can boldly speak 19 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:22,200 Speaker 1: this over my life in Jesus' name. Amen, thank you 20 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 1: for praying with me today. Continue listening for an incredible 21 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: Bible story brought to you by Bible in a Year dot. 22 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 2: Com sibling drama. In our last story, we saw the 23 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:48,560 Speaker 2: restoration of David after a heinous sin. He had an 24 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 2: affair with one of his most trusted soldier's wife. When 25 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:56,400 Speaker 2: she became pregnant, he covered it up by murdering him. 26 00:01:56,680 --> 00:02:00,840 Speaker 2: As a result, David's heart grew hardened and dist from God. 27 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:05,280 Speaker 2: Nathan showed David the error of his ways, which began 28 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:09,240 Speaker 2: the process of bringing David back to God. Sadly, the 29 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:12,800 Speaker 2: child he had had with Bathsheba passed away from sickness, 30 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 2: but a new son was born whom God would use 31 00:02:16,320 --> 00:02:19,799 Speaker 2: to do great things. In this story, we learned about 32 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 2: the descent of David's family as predicted by Nathan. Conflict 33 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 2: and sin breaks out among David's children, and the neglect 34 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 2: of David creates brokenness among his family, as inspired by 35 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 2: the Book of Second Samuel. 36 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:40,360 Speaker 3: This is Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 37 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:44,080 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. In our last episode, we 38 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 3: heard how Nathan confronted David for his sin of adultery 39 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,119 Speaker 3: and then murder and then the cover up. God would 40 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 3: spare David's life because of his repentance, but he took 41 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 3: the son conceived in sin and promised that there would 42 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:02,520 Speaker 3: be acrimony and war and chaos in his household. David 43 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:05,800 Speaker 3: repented and turned back to God, worshiping him and drawing near, 44 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 3: and found comfort and strength and assurance in his grief. 45 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:12,640 Speaker 3: But while God had forgiven the sin, there would be 46 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 3: consequences for David's choices, And today we'll see how David's 47 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:21,320 Speaker 3: failure creates conflict and drama among his children. It is 48 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 3: a lesson on the brokenness that is caused by sin, 49 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:28,360 Speaker 3: not only David's sin with Bathsheba, but his choice to 50 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 3: marry many wives and disregard God's design for marriage between 51 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 3: one man and one woman. So let's listen now to 52 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 3: today's reading. 53 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 2: David was blessed with many children, yet because he had 54 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 2: taken several wives, the family lines were blurred and skewed. 55 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 2: Just as his ancestors Abraham and Jacob, David found himself 56 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:54,720 Speaker 2: in the middle of a civil war between his wives 57 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 2: and children. Tamar, David's daughter, was incredibly beautiful and sought 58 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 2: out after by many men throughout Israel. Amnon, David's son 59 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 2: and Tamar's half brother, lusted after her with great passion. 60 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 2: He would watch her from a distance, pining after her relentlessly. 61 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 2: He was tormented by his desires and greatly disturbed. Amnon 62 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:22,159 Speaker 2: vented to his friend Jonadab. Jonadab was a crafty man 63 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:26,800 Speaker 2: and had an unashamed darkness in his heart. My silly prince, 64 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 2: Jonadab scoffed, here is what you shall do. Pretend to 65 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 2: be ill, near death in bed. Ask for her to 66 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:37,359 Speaker 2: come and bring you food, and when she does, you 67 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 2: can make your move. Amnon did as Jonadab suggested. He 68 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:46,240 Speaker 2: lay in his bed, coughing and feverish. Tamar dabbed his 69 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 2: head with a wet cloth and fed him stew from 70 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 2: a spoon. Amnon could barely hold himself together. Around her, 71 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 2: the smell of her hair, the delicate touch of her skin. 72 00:04:56,760 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 2: Amnon leaned over to Tamar and touched her leg. Lie 73 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 2: with me, he whispered. Tamar swatted his hand away and said, 74 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 2: how could you ask such a thing? You shall not 75 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 2: violate me in that way. Where would I be able 76 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:13,280 Speaker 2: to go with that type of shame? You would be 77 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 2: the greatest fool in all of Israel. Amnon's blood boiled 78 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 2: within him at her words. He grabbed her leg harshly 79 00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:23,279 Speaker 2: and threw her beneath him on the bed. Amnon was 80 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:26,400 Speaker 2: far stronger than Tamar, so he had his way with her. 81 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:30,960 Speaker 2: Nobody could hear her whimpering through the chamber doors. After 82 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:34,040 Speaker 2: Amnon was through, he threw Tamar off of the bed 83 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:37,800 Speaker 2: and said get out of here. Because she rejected him, 84 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:40,799 Speaker 2: he hated her with a greater intensity than he ever 85 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:44,919 Speaker 2: loved her. Tears filled her eyes as Amnon's servant was 86 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 2: called in to throw her out of his home. She 87 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:51,159 Speaker 2: went to a secret place and wept before God. Ashamed 88 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 2: of what had happened, she ran to her brother Absalom 89 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:58,880 Speaker 2: and told him all that had happened. So she stayed 90 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 2: with her brother and abe Absalam plotted his revenge against Amnon. 91 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 2: Two full years had passed and Amnon had nearly forgotten 92 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:11,480 Speaker 2: his terrible crimes against Tamar. Yet Absalom did not. He 93 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 2: could never forgive him. He invited all his brothers to 94 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:19,159 Speaker 2: feast in celebration of the sheep shearing festival. Together they ate, 95 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:23,359 Speaker 2: drank and celebrated with music. But Absalom drank nothing. He 96 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:28,919 Speaker 2: ate nothing. Instead, he observed Amnon closely. Amnon drank until 97 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:31,280 Speaker 2: his heart was merry. Without a care in the world. 98 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 2: He danced and stumbled about, enjoying the company of his brothers. 99 00:06:36,640 --> 00:06:40,479 Speaker 2: Soon he passed out among the sheep. After this, the 100 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:44,359 Speaker 2: other brothers departed to leave Absalom alone with Amnon. He 101 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 2: nudged Amnon awake. Amnon opened his eyes to see Absalom 102 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 2: standing above him with his sword in his hand. Before 103 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:54,920 Speaker 2: he could say a word, a blade was driven straight 104 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 2: through his heart. David was given word that Absalom had 105 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:02,800 Speaker 2: killed Amnon, and was greatly disturbed. At first, he had 106 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 2: thought that Absalom killed all of his sons, but was 107 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 2: quickly comforted to know that Absalom had only killed Amnon. 108 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 2: He was not surprised by Absalom's actions, for he knew 109 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 2: that his son was capable of great violence. Nevertheless, he 110 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 2: mourned his son's death and awaited the return of his 111 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 2: other sons. Absalom, however, did not return. He remained in Geshur. 112 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 2: A darkness had been unleashed that night in Absalom's heart, 113 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 2: A bitterness towards his father arised it was David that 114 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:37,840 Speaker 2: should have killed Amnun. Instead, he did nothing, so Absalom 115 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 2: remained there for a while plotting to seek revenge on 116 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 2: his father, David. 117 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:50,679 Speaker 3: Today's scripture opens with the echoes of Abraham and Jacob, 118 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 3: but for all the wrong reasons. Like the patriarchs before him, 119 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 3: David had not denied himself the pleasure of taking many. Wise, 120 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 3: he was not ignorant of the sacredness of marriage. That 121 00:08:02,360 --> 00:08:05,240 Speaker 3: God's design was for man to cleave to his wife, 122 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 3: to be one flesh with her. But he was simply 123 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 3: unwilling to deny himself the beautiful women that were available 124 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 3: to him as a decorated warrior and a powerful king. 125 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 3: And just as had happened with the men before him, 126 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 3: David's choices produced a fertile ground for divided loyalties, family dysfunction, 127 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:28,680 Speaker 3: and animosity among siblings. God's design for marriage is not 128 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:32,440 Speaker 3: a trivial rule meant to deprive us of enjoyment. It 129 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:35,880 Speaker 3: is a wise guardrail to protect his own children, to 130 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 3: produce flourishing in the family and peace in the community 131 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 3: and world. And when it is violated, there will always 132 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 3: be problems and terrible consequences. There's no greater reminder of 133 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:52,960 Speaker 3: this than the history of Amnon, Tamar and Absalom. Amnon 134 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 3: burned with desire for his own sister, and he listened 135 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:58,360 Speaker 3: to a wicked friend who told him to just take 136 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 3: what he wanted, even giving him a plan for how 137 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 3: to go about it. It's no mistake that the Book 138 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:06,680 Speaker 3: of Proverbs opens with the truth that blessed are those 139 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:08,880 Speaker 3: who do not walk in the council of the wicked. 140 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:12,440 Speaker 3: But Amnon listened to the counsel of the ungodly and 141 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 3: lured his sister into his room. When she properly rejected 142 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 3: his advances, Amnon raped her then cast her away, hating 143 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:25,240 Speaker 3: her for the rejection. So Tamar fled to another brother's home, 144 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 3: the home of Absalom, and told him what had happened, 145 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:31,160 Speaker 3: And what about David? Was he even aware of what 146 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 3: was happening? Second Samuel thirteen twenty one gives us the answer. 147 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:39,040 Speaker 3: When King David heard of all these things, he was 148 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:43,679 Speaker 3: very angry, so he did know what happened, But apparently 149 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 3: he does nothing again, like others before him, men like 150 00:09:47,960 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 3: Isaac and Jacob, David saw the strife and the sin 151 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 3: of his own children but did nothing to intervene. But 152 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 3: Absalom was not going to sit idly by. Absalom is 153 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:01,640 Speaker 3: in a rage because what has happened to his sister, 154 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:04,520 Speaker 3: and he is about to take revenge on his brother. 155 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,720 Speaker 3: One day, he called his siblings to a feast. He 156 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 3: waited until Amnon was good and drunk, and then he 157 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 3: sent his servants to kill Amnon. His other brothers fled 158 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:18,600 Speaker 3: in fear of their brother. David received word of what 159 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 3: had happened and tore his clothing and mourning, thinking that 160 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 3: all of his sons were dead. But Jonadab let him 161 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:29,560 Speaker 3: know that only Amnon had died as punishment for violating Tamar. 162 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:33,320 Speaker 3: Absalom knew now that he would be persona on grata 163 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 3: in the kingdom and with the king. So he fled 164 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:39,480 Speaker 3: where he hid, letting his hatred and bitterness toward his 165 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 3: father grow. He would one day return to Jerusalem, but 166 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 3: would not find his father waiting in open arms, and 167 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 3: this rejection would fill his heart with murderous intent. We'll 168 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:54,680 Speaker 3: hear about Absalom's return the next time. Dear Lord, we 169 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:57,679 Speaker 3: are reminded in this passage of scripture that there are 170 00:10:57,800 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 3: always consequences for sin, and we pray that therefore we 171 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 3: would turn from sin and never allow sinful choices to 172 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 3: destroy our lives and our families. We do pray for 173 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:13,080 Speaker 3: grace and mercy for those who have failed, that each 174 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 3: one of us would find in You and your grace 175 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 3: and love displayed at the cross eternal life and salvation. 176 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 3: We thank you that there is no sin that you 177 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 3: cannot forgive, and that your blood, the blood of Jesus Christ, 178 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 3: cleanses us from every sin. So Lord, we turn to you, 179 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:34,880 Speaker 3: and we trust in you, and we find mercy and 180 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:40,439 Speaker 3: grace in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you for listening to 181 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:43,000 Speaker 3: today's Bible in a Year podcast. I hope you are 182 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:46,080 Speaker 3: enjoying it as much as i am. This is Pastor 183 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 3: Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. You can download the pray 184 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:52,560 Speaker 3: dot com app and make prayer the priority in your life. 185 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 3: And if you have enjoyed this podcast, share it with 186 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:59,080 Speaker 3: someone you love. By sharing this podcast, you can make 187 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 3: a difference in one's life. This podcast is being listened 188 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 3: to all over the world by millions of people, and 189 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 3: we are celebrating the fact that God's word is being heard. 190 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 3: And if you want more resources on how to tap 191 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 3: into God's power for living, be sure to visit Jack 192 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:18,840 Speaker 3: Graham dot org. God bless you