Fri.’s Devo- Betrayals

Read: 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9 Joab knew that David longed to see Absalom, but his pride wouldn’t let him send for him, so Joab devised a plan. He sent a woman from Tekoa to tell David a similar story so he could look at his relationship with Absalom in a new light. It did the trick. David agreed to let Joab bring Absalom back to Jerusalem, but he didn’t want to see him. *** Absalom came back to Jerusalem but was banned from the king’s presence. This went on for two years, till finally, Absalom had had enough and burned down Joab’s barley field to get some attention. He made the statement that if he was quilty, then let him be put to death. He spoke his own destiny. Absalom was very guilty and he was eventually met with death. *** Absalom got his wish and was brought before the king. Now that he had the approval of the king, he began his political campaign. Absalom was very handsome. He got himself a chariot and horses and 50 men to run before him to show how important he was. He met face to face with the people and would listen to their grievances. He would claim that if he was the judge, he would hear the people’s concerns and do something about them, personally. He slowly stole the hearts of the men of Israel. *** After four years of his campaign, Absalom thought it was time to make his claim to the kingdom. He asked David if he could go to Hebron (where kings are crowned) and fulfill a vow he had made to the Lord. How could David refuse. *** Absalom send messages throughout the tribes of Israel telling them to say that he was king when they heard the trumpet blast. Absalom invited 200 guest to go with him who knew nothing about what he was about to do. *** When Absalom got to Hebron, he did offer his sacrifices then he sent for Ahithophel, David’s counselor, who joined Absalom in his conspiracy. *** David found out what Absalom was doing and knew he had to escape and leave Jerusalem. He left ten concubines to keep the house. The king took the rest of his household and left Jerusalem. Over a thousand men went with David. *** Ittai, a Philistine and native of Gath, had apparently commanded David's band during his wanderings. He came with David with his whole family. David tried to get him to go back since he wasn’t even a native of Israel, but he refused to leave David. *** In John, Jesus took his disciples to the same garden he had gone many times before. Judas knew of this place also. He brought a band of armed solders and officers from the chief priest and Pharisees to arrest Jesus. *** Jesus knew this would happen and approached them asking who they were looking for. They said his name. Jesus said, “I am he” causing many of them to fall to the ground. Jesus asked that they let his disciples go free. Peter, full of passion, took his sword and struck the high priest’s servant’s ear and cut it off. His name was Malchus. Jesus healed it and told Peter to put away his sword. This was God’s will. *** They arrested Jesus and bound him. They led him first to Annas’ house, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who said that one man should die for all the people. *** Peter followed with probably, John. John was led into the courtyard of the high priest, since he knew him. He got Peter in too. Peter was approached by the servant girl in regard to being Jesus’ follower and denied it. *** The high priest questioned Jesus about his teaching and his disciples. Jesus defended himself, saying he had openly taught in the synagogues and the temple. He was there, so he had heard what he taught. Jesus got slapped for answering the high priest that way. Jesus told him that if he was lying then he needed to prove it but if he was telling the truth, so why did he slap him. *** Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas’ house. *** Lord, thank you for forgiving us for our sins. May we be bold in the face of opposition like you were. May we stand with you for truth.