Mon.’s Devo - The Conspiracy

Read: 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 1129:97-112; Provers 16:8-9 Joab found a wise woman who he sent to David to act like she had a problem that paralleled Absalom’s. She told a story about her two sons who fought and one killed the other. Now, the people of her town wanted to kill her other son. David vowed he would not let them hurt her son. Then she revealed that her problem was like his, and asked why wouldn’t he let Absalom back into the city and reconcile with him. David asked her if Joab had put her up to this and she confessed that he had. *** David agreed to let Absalom come back into the city but he was never to see him face to face. Absalom came back but was not happy with the arrangement. After two years of this, Absalom asked to have a meeting with Joab, but Joab didn’t respond. Absalom set Joab’s barley field on fire and got his attention. They met and Absalom told him he wanted to see the king. David finally agreed to meet with him. *** Once Absalom had good standing with David, he bought a chariot and hired 50 bodyguards to run ahead of him. He would go out to the gate of the city where all the cases were held and listen to their grievances. He would tell them they had a strong case and if he was a judge, he would take their case. When people went to bow to him, he would hug them instead. Doing this, he gained the heart of the people. *** After four years, Absalom asked David if he could travel to Hebron to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. David agreed, but Absalom’s real reason was to proclaim himself the king and lead a rebellion against David. He took 200 people with him who had no idea his plan and when they were all assembled he had the ram’s horn blown and his men cried “Absalom has been crowned king in Hebron. *** News came to David that all Israel had crowned Absalom king so David and his men fled the city. David left his concubines to look after the palace. They left on foot with 600 men from Gath whose leader was Ittai. David encouraged him to go back and not get involved, but he vowed to follow David to death if it came to that. David let him come with him. *** Families can be so complicated. It is easy for us to see from a bird’s eye view of how this might have been avoided if David had spent time with Absalom and forgiven him or disciplined him in love. Or, if David had disciplined Amnon for raping Tamar and consoling her and Absalom. But, none of that happened so we have a big mess. So many times it is lack of communication and pride that divides a family which could have been avoided if someone would have humbled themselves and become the peacemaker. *** But, then Absalom was like Judas and he would have found another reason to betray his father just like Judas found a way to betray Jesus when Jesus didn’t do anything wrong. *** In John, Judas led the priests and Pharisees along with the Roman soldiers and Temple guards to where Jesus went to pray. They came with torches, lanterns and weapons and looked like an army. Jesus met them knowing what was happening. He turned himself over to them and only requested that they let his disciples go free. Peter drew a sword and cut off Malchus right ear. He was the high priest’s slave. Jesus rebuked Peter and in Luke 22:50 it says Jesus touched his ear and healed him. (I wonder how Malchus felt about Jesus then?) *** They took Jesus to the house of Annas the father-in-law of Caiaphas the high priest at the time. Peter and John followed. John was allowed to enter the courtyard with Jesus. Peter had to stay outside the gate but John got him in. A woman asked Peter if he was one of Jesus’ disciples and he denied it. *** Jesus was taken inside and questioned about his teaching. He told them that he had only spoken in public his teaching and they heard it. He didn’t have any secrets. He got slapped for not respecting the high priest. Then he was bound and taken to Caiaphas’ house. What a goat rope! Lord, thank you that you know the heart of man and you still choose to save us. Thank you that you love us and help us to be strong in spite of our weaknesses. We depend on You for our righteousness and wisdom.