Hosea 14:1 Return, O Israel, to Yahveh your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Hosea 14:2 Take with you words and return to Yahveh; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips. Hosea 14:3 Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.”
four confessions
Hosea urged his people to confess four things.
He urged them to confess their inability to save themselves. They had fashioned idols made of wood, stone and metal. Then they bowed down to those idols and called them their gods. So, in verse 3, Hosea instructs his people to say “We will never again say, ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made. For only you will show compassion to Orphan Israel!”
He urged them to confess that they had trusted the wrong things. In Hosea’s time, the political superpower was Assyria. Hosea tells his people to come to God and confess “Assyria cannot save us; will not ride war horses.” God wanted his people to admit that if they were going to be delivered, it was not going to happen by aligning themselves with a more powerful nation. They had to align themselves with the most powerful God.
Hosea urged them to confess faith in God’s ability to forgive them completely. He told them to ask God to forgive them. They were to ask for a return to the position they held before they rebelled.
Hosea urged them to confess the desire to return to proper worship. They promised to offer God the praise he deserved.
True repentance begins with these four confessions. When you are ready to repent, you are ready to acknowledge that you cannot save yourself. You have tried other ways, and they just got you more lost. But you believe that God can save you completely. One cross fits all. Not only do you dare to ask God for help, you are committed to acknowledging his salvation for the rest of your life by regular worship.
2 Samuel 16:15 Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem and Ahithophel was with him. 2 Samuel 16:16 When David’s friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” 2 Samuel 16:17 “Is this your loyalty to your friend?” Absalom asked Hushai. “Why didn’t you go with your friend?” 2 Samuel 16:18 “Not at all,” Hushai answered Absalom. “I am on the side of the one that Yahveh, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him. 2 Samuel 16:19 Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, I will also serve in yours.” 2 Samuel 16:20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me your advice. What should we do?” 2 Samuel 16:21 Ahithophel replied to Absalom, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become repulsive to your father, everyone with you will be encouraged.” 2 Samuel 16:22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. 2 Samuel 16:23 Now the advice Ahithophel gave in those days was like someone asking about a word from God — such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.
Ahithophel’s advice
Ahithophel’s advice was designed to make Absalom repulsive to his father. Many advise this generation to do things and allow things that were unheard of for society in the past. Should we do it? Should we cast off all restraint? Keep reading. Sometimes the popular advice is terribly wrong.
2 Samuel 16:5 When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he was yelling curses as he approached. 2 Samuel 16:6 He threw stones at David and at all the royal servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left. 2 Samuel 16:7 Shimei said as he cursed: “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man! 2 Samuel 16:8 Yahveh has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and Yahveh has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed!” 2 Samuel 16:9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and remove his head!” 2 Samuel 16:10 The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because Yahveh told him, ‘Curse David! ‘ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that? ‘” 2 Samuel 16:11 Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, intends to take my life — how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; Yahveh has told him to. 2 Samuel 16:12 Perhaps Yahveh will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.” 2 Samuel 16:13 So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed David, threw stones at him, and kicked up dust. 2 Samuel 16:14 Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, so they rested there.
responding kindly
One of the reasons that Christians should be able to tolerate the kinds of abuse we experience is that we know ourselves. If we are honest, we know that we are not basically good. We cling to the cross because forgiveness is our only hope of a permanent life. When people like Shimei come into our path, we should be able to respond to their curses with kindness. It’s only fair. We know much worse about ourselves than they can report.
2 Samuel 16:1 When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred bunches of summer fruit, and a clay jar of wine. 2 Samuel 16:2 The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those to drink who become exhausted in the wilderness.” 2 Samuel 16:3 “Where is your master’s grandson?” the king asked. “Why, he’s staying in Jerusalem,” Ziba replied to the king, “for he said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore my grandfather’s kingdom to me.'” 2 Samuel 16:4 The king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!” “I bow before you,” Ziba said. “May I find favor with you, my lord the king!”
check the facts
Ziba was lying. He is “an example of someone who wickedly uses a crisis for his own benefit.” (Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary).
His lies led David to disinherit Mephibosheth, something that he had vowed not to do. We should always be careful when acting on news of someone else’s treachery. We need to check the facts before we wind up becoming betrayers ourselves.
2 Samuel 15:13 Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” 2 Samuel 15:14 David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Get up. We must flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! Leave quickly, or he will overtake us quickly, heap disaster on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 2 Samuel 15:15 The king’s servants said to the king, “Whatever my lord the king decides, we are your servants.” 2 Samuel 15:16 Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace. 2 Samuel 15:17 So the king set out, and all the people followed him. They stopped at the last house 2 Samuel 15:18 while all his servants marched past him. Then all the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and those from Gath — six hundred men who came with him from there — marched past the king. 2 Samuel 15:19 The king said to Ittai of Gath, “Why are you also going with us? Go back and stay with the new king since you’re both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. 2 Samuel 15:20 Besides, you only arrived yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I go wherever I can? Go back and take your brothers with you. May Yahveh show you kindness and faithfulness.” 2 Samuel 15:21 But in response, Ittai vowed to the king, “As Yahveh lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means life or death, your servant will be there!” 2 Samuel 15:22 “March on,” David replied to Ittai. So Ittai of Gath marched past with all his men and the dependents who were with him. 2 Samuel 15:23 Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly while all the people were marching out of the city. As the king was crossing the Kidron Valley, all the people were marching past on the road that leads to the wilderness. 2 Samuel 15:24 Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until the people had finished marching past. 2 Samuel 15:25 Then the king instructed Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor with Yahveh, he will bring me back and allow me to see both it and its dwelling place. 2 Samuel 15:26 However, if he should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am — he can do with me whatever pleases him.” 2 Samuel 15:27 The king also said to the priest Zadok, “Look, return to the city in peace and your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. 2 Samuel 15:28 Remember, I’ll wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 2 Samuel 15:29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there. 2 Samuel 15:30 David was climbing the slope of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he ascended. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they ascended. 2 Samuel 15:31 Then someone reported to David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” “Yahveh,” David pleaded, “please turn the advice of Ahithophel into foolishness!” 2 Samuel 15:32 When David came to the summit where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. 2 Samuel 15:33 David said to him, “If you go away with me, you’ll be a burden to me, 2 Samuel 15:34 but if you return to the city and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, Your Majesty! Previously, I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can counteract Ahithophel’s advice for me. 2 Samuel 15:35 Won’t the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Report everything you hear from the palace to the priests Zadok and Abiathar. 2 Samuel 15:36 Take note: their two sons are there with them– Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. Send them to tell me everything you hear.” 2 Samuel 15:37 So Hushai, David’s personal adviser, entered Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.
the best and the worst
Due to the rebellion of his son Absalom, David finds himself in transition after years of ruling Israel. He must flee Jerusalem, some friends going with him, and others staying behind to communicate to him later. This transition brings out the best and the worst in people. The loyal Gittites are a contrast to cursing Shimei. David’s attitude is that the LORD has allowed these events to happen, and so the LORD may return him. In the mean time, David must make the best of these trying times.
LORD, when we face times of transition, give us the courage to accept what is, and the faith to hope for what might be.
2 Samuel 15:1 It happened after this, Absalom got himself a chariot, horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Samuel 15:2 He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for settlement, Absalom called out to him and asked, “What city are you from?” If he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” 2 Samuel 15:3 Absalom said to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you.” 2 Samuel 15:4 He added, “If only someone would appoint me to judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice.” 2 Samuel 15:5 When a person approached to pay homage to him, Absalom reached out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him. 2 Samuel 15:6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for a settlement. So, Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 15:7 When four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I made to the Lord. 2 Samuel 15:8 For your servant made a vow when I lived in Geshur of Aram, saying: If Yahveh really brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship Yahveh in Hebron.” 2 Samuel 15:9 “Go in peace,” the king said to him. So, he went to Hebron. 2 Samuel 15:10 Then Absalom sent agents throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron! ‘” 2 Samuel 15:11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They had been invited and were going innocently, because they did not know the whole situation. 2 Samuel 15:12 While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for David’s adviser Ahithophel the Gilonite, from his city of Giloh. So, the conspiracy grew strong, and the people supporting Absalom continued to increase.
kissing conspiracy
David so much wants to believe that the worst is over for him. He does not choose to see that Absalom is planning a conspiracy against him. It is difficult to keep positive faith while not falling for every con job and getting the wool pulled over our eyes. We need to be harmless as doves, but wise as serpents. This world will not treat us right. We need to come into relationships expecting God to work, but also realizing the potential for the devil to work.
2 Samuel 14:1 Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s mind was on Absalom. 2 Samuel 14:2 So Joab sent someone to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Pretend to be in mourning: dress in mourning clothes and don’t put on any oil. Act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time. 2 Samuel 14:3 Go to the king and speak these words to him.” Then Joab told her exactly what to say. 2 Samuel 14:4 When the woman from Tekoa came to the king, she fell facedown to the ground, paid homage, and said, “Help me, O king!” 2 Samuel 14:5 “What’s the matter?” the king asked her. “Sadly, I am a widow; my husband died,” she said. 2 Samuel 14:6 “Your servant had two sons. They were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. 2 Samuel 14:7 Now the whole clan has revolted against your servant and said, ‘Hand over the one who killed his brother so we may put him to death for the life of the brother he murdered. We will eliminate the heir! ‘ They would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the land.” 2 Samuel 14:8 The king told the woman, “Go home. I will issue a command on your behalf.” 2 Samuel 14:9 Then the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, may any blame be on me and my father’s family, and may the king and his throne be innocent.” 2 Samuel 14:10 “Whoever speaks to you,” the king said, “bring him to me. He will not trouble you again!” 2 Samuel 14:11 She replied, “Please, may the king invoke Yahveh your God, so that the avenger of blood will not increase the loss, and they will not eliminate my son!” “As Yahveh lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son will fall to the ground.” 2 Samuel 14:12 Then the woman said, “Please, may your servant speak a word to my lord the king?” “Speak,” he replied. 2 Samuel 14:13 The woman asked, “Why have you devised something similar against the people of God? When the king spoke as he did about this matter, he pronounced his own guilt. The king has not brought back his own banished one. 2 Samuel 14:14 We will certainly die and be like water poured out on the ground, which can’t be recovered. But God would not take away a life; he would devise plans so that the one banished from him does not remain banished. 2 Samuel 14:15 “Now therefore, I’ve come to present this matter to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. Your servant thought: I must speak to the king. Perhaps the king will grant his servant’s request. 2 Samuel 14:16 The king will surely listen to keep his servant from the grasp of this man who would eliminate both me and my son from God’s inheritance. 2 Samuel 14:17 Your servant thought: May the word of my lord the king bring relief, for my lord the king is able to discern the good and the bad like the angel of God. May Yahveh your God be with you.” 2 Samuel 14:18 Then the king answered the woman, “I’m going to ask you something; don’t conceal it from me!” “Let my lord the king speak,” the woman replied. 2 Samuel 14:19 The king asked, “Did Joab put you up to all this?” The woman answered. “As you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or left from all my lord the king says. Yes, your servant Joab is the one who gave orders to me; he told your servant exactly what to say. 2 Samuel 14:20 Joab your servant has done this to address the issue indirectly, but my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God, knowing everything on land.” 2 Samuel 14:21 Then the king said to Joab, “I hereby grant this request. Go, bring back the young man Absalom.” 2 Samuel 14:22 Joab fell with his face to the ground in homage and blessed the king. “Today,” Joab said, “your servant knows I have found favor with you, my lord the king because the king has granted the request of your servant.” 2 Samuel 14:23 So Joab got up, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 14:24 However, the king added, “He may return to his house, but he may not see my face.” So, Absalom returned to his house, but he did not see the king. 2 Samuel 14:25 No man in all Israel was as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw. 2 Samuel 14:26 When he shaved his head — he shaved it at the end of every year because his hair got so heavy for him that he had to shave it off– he would weigh the hair from his head, and it would be five pounds according to the royal standard. 2 Samuel 14:27 Three sons were born to Absalom, and a daughter named Tamar, who was a beautiful woman. 2 Samuel 14:28 Absalom resided in Jerusalem two years but never saw the king. 2 Samuel 14:29 Then Absalom sent for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab was unwilling to come to him. So, he sent again, a second time, but he still would not come. 2 Samuel 14:30 Then Absalom said to his servants, “See, Joab has a field right next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set fire to it!” So, Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. 2 Samuel 14:31 Then Joab came to Absalom’s house and demanded, “Why did your servants set my field on fire?” 2 Samuel 14:32 “Look,” Absalom explained to Joab, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? I’d be better off if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king. If I am guilty, let him kill me.” 2 Samuel 14:33 Joab went to the king and told him. So, David summoned Absalom, who came to the king and paid homage with his face to the ground before him. Then the king kissed Absalom.
partial fix
Did Joab’s trick work? yes, and no. He succeeded in getting David to allow Absalom back into Jerusalem from which he had been banished. He did not succeed in reconciling the two. It was a partial fix which would result in more heartache and shame later. Such is the fate of our attempts to do God’s work in our own way.
What we see in a number of the stories from this period is the use of deception to gain one’s objective. The unnamed author of these stories seems to be highlighting this trend, to show the ultimate consequences of the deception. Great houses fall when we seek to use our lies to obtain our objectives, whether good or bad.
2 Samuel 13:23 Two years later, Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 2 Samuel 13:24 Then he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired sheepshearers. Will the king and his servants please come with your servant?” 2 Samuel 13:25 The king replied to Absalom, “No, my son, we should not all go, or we would be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he wasn’t willing to go, though he did bless him. 2 Samuel 13:26 “If not,” Absalom said, “please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king asked him, “Why should he go with you?” 2 Samuel 13:27 But Absalom urged him, so he sent Amnon and all the king’s sons. 2 Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom commanded his young men, “Watch Amnon until he is in a good mood from the wine. When I order you to strike Amnon, then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Am I not the one who has commanded you? Be strong and valiant!” 2 Samuel 13:29 So Absalom’s young men did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the rest of the king’s sons got up, and each fled on his mule. 2 Samuel 13:30 While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom struck down all the king’s sons; not even one of them survived!” 2 Samuel 13:31 In response the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 2 Samuel 13:32 But Jonadab, son of David’s brother Shimeah, spoke up: “My lord must not think they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, because only Amnon is dead. In fact, Absalom has planned this ever since the day Amnon disgraced his sister Tamar. 2 Samuel 13:33 So now, my lord the king, don’t take seriously the report that says all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead.” 2 Samuel 13:34 Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. When the young man who was standing watch looked up, there were many people coming from the road west of him from the side of the mountain. 2 Samuel 13:35 Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the king’s sons have come! It’s exactly like your servant said.” 2 Samuel 13:36 Just as he finished speaking, the king’s sons entered and wept loudly. Then the king and all his servants also wept very bitterly. 2 Samuel 13:37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 2 Samuel 13:38 After Absalom had fled to Geshur and had been there three years, 2 Samuel 13:39 King David longed to go to Absalom, for David had finished grieving over Amnon’s death.
page from Daddy’s playbook
Absalom took a page from David’s playbook when he plotted to kill Amnon. His motive was revenge for the rape of his sister, while David ordered the death of Uriah to cover up his own infidelity. But both men sought to cover up their sin by having the murder done by others. In neither case did it work.
2 Samuel 13:1 After this, David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar, and David’s son Amnon loved her. 2 Samuel 13:2 Amnon was frustrated to the point of making himself sick over his sister Tamar because she was a virgin, but it seemed impossible to do anything to her. 2 Samuel 13:3 Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, a son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man, 2 Samuel 13:4 and he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the king’s son, so miserable every morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” 2 Samuel 13:5 Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend you’re sick. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare a meal in my presence so I can watch and eat from her hand.'” 2 Samuel 13:6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my presence so I can eat from her hand.” 2 Samuel 13:7 David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Please go to your brother Amnon’s house and prepare a meal for him.” 2 Samuel 13:8 Then Tamar went to his house while Amnon was lying down. She took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his presence, and baked them. 2 Samuel 13:9 She brought the pan and set it down in front of him, but he refused to eat. Amnon said, “Everyone leave me!” And everyone left him. 2 Samuel 13:10 “Bring the meal to the bedroom,” Amnon told Tamar, “so I can eat from your hand.” Tamar took the cakes she had made and went to her brother Amnon’s bedroom. 2 Samuel 13:11 When she brought them to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, “Come sleep with me, my sister!” 2 Samuel 13:12 “Don’t, my brother!” she cried. “Don’t disgrace me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Don’t commit this outrage! 2 Samuel 13:13 Where could I ever go with my humiliation? And you– you would be like one of the outrageous fools in Israel! Please, speak to the king, for he won’t keep me from you.” 2 Samuel 13:14 But he refused to listen to her, and because he was stronger than she was, he disgraced her by raping her. 2 Samuel 13:15 So Amnon hated Tamar with such intensity that the hatred he hated her with was greater than the love he had loved her with. “Get out of here!” he said. 2 Samuel 13:16 “No,” she cried, “sending me away is much worse than the great wrong you’ve already done to me!” But he refused to listen to her. 2 Samuel 13:17 Instead, he called to the servant who waited on him: “Get this away from me, throw her out, and bolt the door behind her!” 2 Samuel 13:18 Amnon’s servant threw her out and bolted the door behind her. Now Tamar was wearing a long-sleeved garment because this is what the king’s virgin daughters wore. 2 Samuel 13:19 Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long-sleeved garment she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away crying out. 2 Samuel 13:20 Her brother Absalom said to her: “Has your brother Amnon been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister. He is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” So, Tamar lived as a desolate woman in the house of her brother Absalom. 2 Samuel 13:21 When King David heard about all these things, he was furious. 2 Samuel 13:22 Absalom didn’t say anything to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon since he disgraced his sister Tamar.
results of indiscretion
The consequences of David’s sin with Bathsheba continue to play out in the lives of his children. Had David been able to see all that would happen as a result of his indiscretion perhaps it would have given him pause. As it turns out, David seems helpless to stop the world he created from spiraling into despair. In spite of the fact that he had been forgiven, his choices brought great harm to his family, and great shame to himself, his nation, and his God. Oh, Christian, run from sin.
LORD, give us insight into the consequences of our choices.
2 Samuel 12:26 Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal city. 2 Samuel 12:27 Then Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah and have also captured its water supply. 2 Samuel 12:28 Now therefore, gather the rest of the troops, lay siege to the city, and capture it. Otherwise, I will be the one to capture the city, and it will be named after me.” 2 Samuel 12:29 So David assembled all the troops and went to Rabbah; he fought against it and captured it. 2 Samuel 12:30 He took the crown from the head of their king, and it was placed on David’s head. The crown weighed seventy-five pounds of gold, and it had a precious stone in it. In addition, David took away a large quantity of plunder from the city. 2 Samuel 12:31 He removed the people who were in the city and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and iron axes, and to labor at brickmaking. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then he and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.
to the king
Joab would risk his life and do his job well, but he wanted the glory of the victorty to go to his king. Such should be out ambition as well. We should seek excellencer in everything we do. But our king Jesus should be the focus and purpose of our work.
Devotions 