April 14

With apologies to Fabio, this is the mental pic I have fo Absolom but with even longer hair! A fine physical specimin but evil to the core. (Absolom not Fabio). I just keep picturing him in the I can't believe it's not Butter commercial.

Meanwhile.....another story you will never hear in Sunday School....Actually, I think that in our day and age that some of these stories, if handled correctly, would be great for older teens and young adults. Another disgusting 'what not to do' event recorded. To me it is further proof that the Bible is inspired by God. If man would have written it, he would have painting himself in a much better light. So far (and it will continue) the theme is: Man screwed up, God punished him but forgave him and made a way to cover his sins; man screwed up even worse, God punished him but also made a way of forgiveness.....repeat........repeat......repeat......repeat.  Having sex on the roof with his father's concubines!? For the whole country to see!? Not even our culture is that sick!

Don't miss the importance of Shobi in 2 Sam 17:27. He brought food bedding and all kinds of provisions..THEN David mustered his troops. You may not ever be as famous as King David, but if it weren't for this encouragement from another unsung hero, maybe there would have been more King David. Don't underestimate your value if you are a "Shobi". Maybe you encourage people or house missionaries or give money or write letters. Who knows, but don't underestimate your value to the kingdom.

David does muster his troops and wins the battle. But one ominous thing is noted: The casualties that day were great! Twenty thousand men!!!!! Doesn't it make you wonder if he would have never left the palace and stayed on the defensive rather than on the run if things would have been much less bloody? God never told David his kingdom was done, he never told him to go on the run. As a matter of fact, I don't see where he consulted God at all. This can be summed up in one word: disobedience! We can't  underestimate the negative impact of OUR disobedience either! We don't ever know what the 'casualities' will be. It would be one thing if it only affected us. But things never happen in a vacuum. Actions affect many people.

Absolom gets literally tangled up in the source of a great pride- his hair. David mourns him deeply even though he was trying to steal the kingdom from him. I was suprised that Joab, David's close advisor killed him. I don't remember the end of the story.....if David will be angry at Joab or not. Stay tuned.......