Page 515 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_05_MacArthur_Bible_May.qxd 8/8/03 15:41 Page 496

MAY 21
saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is other in the field, and there was no one to part
merry with wine, and when I say to you, them, but the one struck the other and killed
‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. him. And now the whole family has risen up
7
Have I not commanded you? Be courageous against your maidservant, and they said, ‘De-
29
and valiant.” So the servants of Absalom did liver him who struck his brother, that we may
to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then execute him for the life of his brother whom he
all the king’s sons arose, and each one got on killed; and we will destroy the heir also.’ So
his mule and fled. they would extinguish my ember that is left,
30 And it came to pass, while they were on the and leave to my husband neither name nor
way, that news came to David, saying, “Ab- remnant on the earth.”
salom has killed all the king’s sons, and not one 8 Then the king said to the woman, “Go to your
31
of them is left!” So the king arose and tore his house, and I will give orders concerning you.”
garments and lay on the ground, and all his ser- 9 And the woman of Tekoa said to the king,
32
vants stood by with their clothes torn. Then “My lord, O king, let the iniquity be on me and
Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, on my father’s house, and the king and his
answered and said, “Let not my lord suppose throne be guiltless.”
they have killed all the young men, the king’s 10 So the king said, “Whoever says anything
sons, for only Amnon is dead. For by the com- to you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch
mand of Absalom this has been determined you anymore.”
from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 11 Then she said, “Please let the king remem-
33 Now therefore, let not my lord the king take ber the LORD your God, and do not permit the
the thing to his heart, to think that all the avenger of blood to destroy anymore, lest they
king’s sons are dead. For only Amnon is dead.” destroy my son.”
34 Then Absalom fled. And the young man And he said, “As the LORD lives, not one hair
who was keeping watch lifted his eyes and of your son shall fall to the ground.”
looked, and there, many people were coming 12 Therefore the woman said, “Please, let your
from the road on the hillside behind him. And maidservant speak another word to my lord
35
Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the king’s the king.”
sons are coming; as your servant said, so it is.” And he said, “Say on.”
36 So it was, as soon as he had finished speak- 13 So the woman said: “Why then have you
ing, that the king’s sons indeed came, and they schemed such a thing against the people of
lifted up their voice and wept. Also the king God? For the king speaks this thing as one
and all his servants wept very bitterly. who is guilty, in that the king does not bring
37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the his banished one home again. For we will
14
son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David surely die and become like water spilled on the
mourned for his son every day. So Absalom ground, which cannot be gathered up again.
38
fled and went to Geshur, and was there three Yet God does not take away a life; but He de-
years. And King David longed to go to vises means, so that His banished ones are not
39
Absalom. For he had been comforted con- expelled from Him. Now therefore, I have
15
cerning Amnon, because he was dead. come to speak of this thing to my lord the king
So Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that because the people have made me afraid. And
14 the king’s heart was concerned about your maidservant said, ‘I will now speak to the
2
Absalom. And Joab sent to Tekoa and king; it may be that the king will perform the
16
brought from there a wise woman, and said to request of his maidservant. For the king will
her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put hear and deliver his maidservant from the
on mourning apparel; do not anoint yourself hand of the man who would destroy me and
with oil, but act like a woman who has been my son together from the inheritance of God.’
3
mourning a long time for the dead. Go to the
king and speak to him in this manner.” So Joab
put the words in her mouth.
4 And when the woman of Tekoa spoke to
the king, she fell on her face to the ground and 14:13 against the people of God.The woman
prostrated herself, and said, “Help, O king!” asserted that by allowing Absalom to remain
5 Then the king said to her, “What troubles in exile, David had jeopardized the future wel-
you?” fare of Israel. If he would be so generous to a
And she answered, “Indeed I am a widow, son he did not know in a family he did not
my husband is dead. Now your maidservant know,would he not forgive his own son?
6
had two sons; and the two fought with each
496