First Entry

Today, I read the 15th and 16th chapters of the book of Second Samuel. From what I gathered, the 15th chapter was about Absalom trying to overthrow his father, David, as king of Israel and Judah and David's subsequent plite out of Jerusalem. Something that I found interesting in this chapter, is the Ark of the Covenant (that originally left Jerusalem with David) was ordered to be brought back to Jerusalem. I believe that David wanted the priests to spy on his son, Absalom. From what I gathered, the 16th chapter was about David's continued plite from Jerusalem and the beginning of Absalom's reign. At the beginning of the chapter, David meets the servant of Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth. The servant is carrying supplies on donkeys. The servant tells David that Mephibosheth proclaimed that that the kingdom of Israel has been returned to his family. When David hears this, he gives the supplies to the servant. I find it odd that Mephibosheth said what he said, because David commanded that he (Mephibosheth) be cared for and to eat at David's own table (an honor). Mephibosheth was crippled at a young age. Then, Shimei (a member of Saul's family) curses against David. When one of David's companions, Abishai, asks David if he can kill Shimei, David responds that it is the Lord's will for him to curse David. David then continues to say that the Lord might bless David for the cursing that he recieved. In the last part of the chapter, Ahithophel (David's former adviser and Absalom's current adviser) advises Absalom to sleep with David's concubines to strengthen his hold on Israel; Absalom does so. I believe that it was extremely sinful for Absalom to do so.