Thurs.’s Devo - Absalom’s Revenge

Read: 2 Samuel 13:1-39; John 17:1-26; Psalm 119:81-96 Proverbs 16:6-7 David’s son, Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. David’s first born son, Amnon thought he was in love with Tamar, but thought he could never have her. He pined away over Tamar. Amnon’s best friend, Jonadab was his cousin the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was crafty and devised a plan for Amnon to have some time alone with Tamar. *** With David’s permission, Tamar went to take care of Amnon in his pretended sickness. But, when Amnon and Tamar were alone, Amnon raped Tamar then despised her and threw her out. She went home disgraced and violated. *** When Absalom heard what had happened to his sister he was enraged. So was David, though he did nothing about it. Absalom was not so forgiving. He promised Tamar he would get revenge for what Amnon did to her. *** Two years later, Absalom carried out his plan. He invited David and all the kings sons to his sheep shearing party. David couldn’t come, but all his sons went. Absalom had told his servants to kill Amnon as soon as he was good and drunk. When they did all the other sons fled, thinking they were next. *** Word got back to David that Absalom had killed all his sons. But, Jonadab assured David that it was only Amnon who was killed in revenge for what he did to Tamar. *** Absalom fled to the house of his mother’s father who was the king of Geshur. He stayed there for three years while David mourned for the death of Amnon. After mouning, David longed to go to Absalom. *** In John, Jesus has just had his last supper with his disciples. He then prayed aloud for them. He told his Father that he had completed the mission he was sent to earth to do. He had manifested who God was to the world. He spoke the words that God told him to speak and many believed that he came from heaven to them. He prayed that as he leaves earth, that God would guard his followers from the evil one and not let one of them, except Judas, get lost or be deceived. He also prayed for those who would come after them and believe, like us. He prayed that we would be one like him and God were. He leaves us his glory and his desire that we would come to know and love the Father and the Son. *** Lord, thank you that you have put your love in us and have given us eternal life through the cross. May we not honor any man above you.