2 Samuel 11-14 David's Descent Into The Depths

Psalm 47:1-4

Ps 47:1 “Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! 2 For Yahweh Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. 3 He will subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet. 4 He will choose our inheritance for us, The glory of Jacob whom He loves. Selah.

Observations: 47:2 Yahweh is the Most High God (none higher) and exercises His rule for the benefit of His people whom He loves. The first half recognizes His work on behalf of Jacob's descendents. The rest of the psalm looks forward to when He will reign supreme over all the earth.

Application: Those who experience God's rule in their lives have cause for triumphant rejoicing.

Prayer: Great King Over the All the Earth, reign in my life, for Your glory's sake. Amen.

Proverbs 13:7-9 Let It Shine

Pr 13:7 “There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth. 8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats. 9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.”

Observations: 13:7 Appearances can be deceiving, both materially (cf “The Millionaire Next Door”) and spiritually.

13:8 Poverty has its privileges; no one wants to kidnap you for ransom.

13:9 The righteous also give light to others.

Application: Don't be misled by appearances. Proverbs helps us develop insight into the true nature of things.

Prayer: God of Light, shine through my life so others can see You. Amen.

2 Samuel 11-14 If you've ever sinned, you want to pay attention to these chapters, because you'll gain insight into why we sin, and how to prevent it. From the pinnacle of blessing, David descends to the pit of despair, done in by his unsanctified desires. He fails to value what God values and revealed. Chapters 11 and 12 are omitted from Chronicles (a priestly retelling, after the exile, of Israel's history, designed to encourage people to do what's right in God's sight, so He can bless them again).

2 Samuel 11 David Sins Bigtime

11:1 It happened, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. 2 It happened at evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked on the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look on. 3 David sent and inquired after the woman. One said, "Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" 4 David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in to him, and he lay with her (for she was purified from her uncleanness); and she returned to her house. 5 The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, "I am with child."

6 David sent to Joab, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." Joab sent Uriah to David. 7 When Uriah had come to him, David asked of him how Joab did, and how the people fared, and how the war prospered. 8 David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house, and wash your feet." Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and a gift from the king was sent after him. 9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and didn’t go down to his house. 10 When they had told David, saying, "Uriah didn’t go down to his house," David said to Uriah, "Haven’t you come from a journey? Why didn’t you go down to your house?" 11 Uriah said to David, "The ark, Israel, and Judah, are staying in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open field. Shall I then go into my house to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing!" 12 David said to Uriah, "Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you depart." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day, and the next day. 13 When David had called him, he ate and drink before him; and he made him drunk. At evening, he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but didn’t go down to his house.

14 It happened in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15 He wrote in the letter, saying, "Send Uriah to the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck, and die." 16 It happened, when Joab kept watch on the city, that he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew that valiant men were. 17 The men of the city went out, and fought with Joab. Some of the people fell, even of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also...23 The messenger said to David, "The men prevailed against us, and came out to us into the field, and we were on them even to the entrance of the gate. 24 The shooters shot at your servants from off the wall; and some of the king’s servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also." 25 Then David said to the messenger, "Thus you shall tell Joab, ‘Don’t let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Make your battle stronger against the city, and overthrow it.’ Encourage him." 26 When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she made lamentation for her husband. 27 When the mourning was past, David sent and took her home to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased Yahweh.

Observations: 11:1-5 Independence is the essence of sin. David seeks to meet his needs/desires independently of God. Most sin occurs when we're not doing what we should be doing, and therefore do what we shouldn't. David should have been leading his troops, but instead he's lounging at home. He falls into the same pattern we've observed since Genesis, seeing and taking, without self-control. The temptation or desire to sin isn't sin; temptation becomes sin when we exercise our will to embrace it.

James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires/lusts and enticed.15 Then, when desire is embraced/conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

There is no seeking God's will, nor asking how an action fits into one's purpose for being on the planet, nor how it will fare at the judgment seat. It's just unsanctified desire/lust gratification, and results in deadly consequences. The tragedy is compounded by God indicating in the next chapter that David's self will was totally unnecessary (12:8).

11:6-13 The attempt to hide or cover up one's sin is as old as Adam, but David doesn't want Bathsheba (and perhaps himself) to get in trouble. So David calls Uriah the Hittite home so he will sleep with Bathsheba, and no one will be the wiser. Ironically everyone in Israel, and most educated people throughout history know what happened. Unfortunately, Uriah demonstrates a greater loyalty to God and the troops than David, and refuses to enjoy the comforts of home while his comrades are fighting. Had he actually done what David said, he would not have had to carry his own death warrant.

11:14-21 Joab, loyal to David, does as commanded. Uriah is murdered per David's instruction “make it look like an accident.” God isn't fooled, but He is displeased. David's desire for temporal pleasure turns God's choicest servant into an adulterer and murderer of a choice soldier. Not good.

Application: Failure to find our pleasure by serving God and seeking His will, leads to failure by serving our passions and desires.

Prayer: Lord, may I be so focused on doing Your will that I don't even notice temptation; but when I do, help me value fleeing it rather than embracing it. Amen.

2 Samuel 12 David Sorrows and Repents

12:1 Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, "There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him, and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him like a daughter. 4 A traveler came to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man who had come to him, but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man who had come to him." 5 David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this is worthy to die! 6 He shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity!"

7 Nathan said to David, "You are the man. This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that would have been too little, I would have added to you many more such things. 9 Why have you despised the word/commandment of Yahweh, to do that which is evil in his sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 "This is what Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.’" 13 David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against Yahweh." Nathan said to David, "Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh’s enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die." 15 Nathan departed to his house. Yahweh struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it was very sick.

16 David therefore begged God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth. 22 He said, "While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows whether Yahweh will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me." 24 David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her. She bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Yahweh loved him; 25 and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he named him Jedidiah, for Yahweh’s sake.

26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. 27 Joab sent messengers to David, and said, "I have fought against Rabbah. Yes, I have taken the city of waters. 28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it; lest I take the city, and it be called after my name." 29 David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. 30 He took the crown of their king from off his head; and its weight was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on David’s head. He brought out the spoil of the city, exceeding much. 31 He brought out the people who were therein, and put them under saws, and under iron picks, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick kiln: and he did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

Observations: 12:1-6 A number of months later, God sends Nathan to David with a parable that exposes his sin. When we can see ourselves objectively, or as others see us, sin is obvious. However, Satan deceives us by disguising our sin, or we deceive ourselves into thinking that our temporal desires aren't deadly, and we stumble in the dark, away from the light of the truth.

12:7-12 God's just judgment of David is prefaced with a reminder of how God had met David's needs in the past and would have continued to do so if David had just asked, rather than acting independently of God (essence of sin). God would have given David even more wives! David's sin is not just the acts, but the violation of God's command/word. We tend to think certain behavior is wrong, but the root of wrong is despising (not valuing) God's word, which inevitably leads to disobeying it. Unless we change our values, we will go to the grave sinning. See help under Digging Deeper. David's earned consequences are parallel to the offenses: David's wives would be taken and the sword would never depart from his house (see next chapter).

12:13-15 David's confession “I've sinned” results in God “putting away” his sin, so that he doesn't die. The Mosaic law specified the death penalty for adultery, but Ancient Near East custom considered all the people as owned by the king. Psalm 51 David gives the fuller text of David's repentance in which he notes 51:4 "Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight..." Note that even though pardoned from the death penalty, David still reaped consequences from what he had sown. Many NT believers don't quite grasp that pardon from the guilt of sin and escaping eternal damnation in the lake of fire, does not mean everything's all good. This is one of Satan's key deceptions of believers.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 

Most also misunderstand eternal life, incorrectly equating it with forgiveness. See section on Eternal Life (pages 18-26) in the Study Guide under Digging Deeper for more.

12:16-25 David beseeches God for mercy, somewhat like Moses did when his sin resulted in loss. God gives David the consequences of his actions, and life goes on, in the person of a second son with Bathsheba, Solomon, whom Yahweh calls Jedidiah (“beloved of Yahweh”).

12:26-31 Joab subdues the city and loyally calls David for the final assault so he will get the glory. In addition to the spoil (for the temple) the Israelites gain servants and workmen. God's work goes on.

Application: Despising God's word will result in despair. Confession results in pardon, but some consequences are permanent.

Prayer: God, may I grieve over the causes of my sin and change my values, so I don't grieve You, others, nor myself with the consequences of temporal values. Amen.

2 Samuel 13 David's Sons Sin Bigtime

13:1 It happened after this, that Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2 Amnon was so troubled that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man. 4 He said to him, "Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won’t you tell me?" Amnon said to him, "I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister." 5 Jonadab said to him, "Lay down on your bed, and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat...10 Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into the room, that I may eat from your hand." Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the room to Amnon her brother. 11 When she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, "Come, lie with me, my sister!" 12 She answered him, "No, my brother, do not force me! For no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Don’t you do this folly. 13 I, where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you." 14 However he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her, and lay with her. 15 Then Amnon hated her with exceeding great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. Amnon said to her, "Arise, be gone!" 16 She said to him, "Not so, because this great wrong in sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me!" But he would not listen to her. 17 Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said, "Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her." 20 So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.

21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very angry. 22 Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. 23 It happened after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 25 The king said to Absalom, "No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you." He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him. 28 Absalom commanded his servants, saying, "Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant!" 29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule, and fled.

30 It happened, while they were in the way, that the news came to David, saying, "Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left!" 31 Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 32 Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, "Don’t let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 36 It happened, as soon as he had finished speaking, that behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice, and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly. 37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 King David longed to go forth to Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.

Observations: 13:1-20 David not only failed to exercise self-control, he failed to train his children in it. His eldest son Amnon was so ruled by his passions that he was sick over not getting what he thought was necessary to his happiness. Listening to evil rather than good counsel resulted in deceiving his father and raping his step-sister. Then the guilt set in and he despised her. Rather than asking David to have her as his wife, a logical solution, he wrongs her and then compounds the injury by irrationally kicking her out. Frequently people hate the ones they've wronged because they need to balance out the guilt.

13:21-29 David again failed at home by letting his emotions and his own sin cloud his responsibility to do what was right (Lev 20:17). He got angry and fumed in his lazy-boy recliner, rather than executing justice. He had abdicated the moral ground by his own sin, and any just action would have appeared hypocritical. However failure to act had even worse consequences, as Absalom (third born son), Tamar's brother, murders Amnon. Like father, like son. David's second son was born of Abigail (2Sam 3:3; 1Chron 3:1) but apparently died young since no other mention is made of him. Amnon's murder puts Absalom next in line for the throne.

13:30-39 Absolom flees, and David again (cf Micah) failed to resolve family difficulties by taking the initiative to reconcile the relationship with Absalom. As king, he could have judged Amnon's murder as justified. Instead, he mourns for Absalom (not the dead Amnon) every day for years. David suffered the consequences of both his sin, and then his failure as father.

Application: When we miss Plan A, we need to be faithful to follow our responsibilities in executing Plan B, because Plan C (and D, E, etc) is even worse.

Prayer: God, may I always keep focused on what You want me to do in any situation, including when I sin, so things don't go from bad to worse. Amen.

2 Samuel 14 David Sorrows and Relents

14:1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom. 2 Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched there a wise woman, and said to her, "Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil, but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead. 3 Go in to the king, and speak like this to him." So Joab put the words in her mouth. 4 When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, showed respect, and said, "Help, O king!" 5 The king said to her, "What ails you?" She answered, "Truly I am a widow, and my husband is dead. 6 Your handmaid had two sons, and they both fought together in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other, and killed him. 7 Behold, the whole family has risen against your handmaid, and they say, ‘Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also.’ Thus they would quench my coal which is left, and would leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the surface of the earth." 8 The king said to the woman, "Go to your house, and I will give a command concerning you." 9 The woman of Tekoa said to the king, "My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house; and the king and his throne be guiltless." 10 The king said, "Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch you any more." 11 Then she said, "Please let the king remember Yahweh your God, that the avenger of blood destroy not any more, lest they destroy my son." He said, "As Yahweh lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the earth." 12 Then the woman said, "Please let your handmaid speak a word to my lord the king." He said, "Say on." 13 The woman said, "Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? For in speaking this word the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring home again his banished one. 14 For we must die, and are as water split on the ground, which can’t be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but devises means, that he who is banished not be an outcast from him. 15 Now therefore seeing that I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and your handmaid said, ‘I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant.’ 16 For the king will hear, to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God. 17 Then your handmaid said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. May Yahweh, your God, be with you.’"

18 Then the king answered the woman, "Please don’t hide anything from me that I ask you." The woman said, "Let my lord the king now speak." 19 The king said, "Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?" The woman answered, "As your soul lives, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken; for your servant Joab, he urged me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your handmaid; 20 to change the face of the matter has your servant Joab done this thing. My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth." 21 The king said to Joab, "Behold now, I have done this thing. Go therefore, bring the young man Absalom back." 22 Joab fell to the ground on his face, showed respect, and blessed the king. Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant." 23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24 The king said, "Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face." So Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face.

25 Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it); he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king’s weight. 27 To Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a beautiful face. 28 Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem; and he didn’t see the king’s face. 29 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king; but he would not come to him: and he sent again a second time, but he would not come. 30 Therefore he said to his servants, "Behold, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire." Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. 31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?" 32 Absalom answered Joab, "Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, "Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still. Now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me."’" 33 So Joab came to the king, and told him; and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.

Observations: 14:1-17 Loyal Joab, seeing David pine for his son in exile, pulls a Nathan, sending a woman to speak a parable to David, portraying the situation of Absalom. She appeals to David to show amnesty to Absalom as God had shown it to him.

14:18-24 David instructs Joab to bring Absalom back, but doesn't fully restore the relationship, refusing to let Absalom see his face.

14:25-33 Absalom has four children (blessing of fertility), and waits a couple of years, but still no reconciliation. His requests to see David are ignored by Joab until he sets Joab's fields on fire to get his attention and an audience with David. Absalom says if he is guilty, David should kill him, otherwise, restore the relationship. There is no mention of Absalom repenting or admitting sin. David accepts him back, but the delay in doing so will have further negative consequences.

Application: Our acceptance of others should mirror God's reception of us; forgiveness should result in restoration of the relationship. Things get complicated without true repentance, since the expectation is that unless a person confesses and forsakes wrong-doing, they'll repeat it, rupturing the relationship again.

Prayer: Gracious Father, thanks for forgiving me; may I be equally gracious in extending forgiveness to others. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God desires to bless us in meeting our needs and desires, as long as we are dependent upon Him, and seek His will rather than our own. God requires holiness, and justly punishes wickedness. He pardons the eternal guilt of repentant sinners, but doesn't absolve them of all the consequences of their sin.

Us in a nutshell: We cause ourselves all kinds of problems by not doing what we should, and instead wind up doing what we shouldn't. In the pursuit of temporal pleasure (and other things) we forfeit enduring blessings and can bring upon ourselves permanent pain. Failure to live up to our responsibilities to God and others compounds our problems and unhappiness. Total repentance is the best route back to blessings, even if they are diminished.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Sanctification: Ain't Gonna Reign No More

Eternal life see pages 18-26 of Survey of Rewards Study Guide

2 Samuel 11-14 complete text

2 Samuel 11

11:1 It happened, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. 2 It happened at evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked on the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look on. 3 David sent and inquired after the woman. One said, "Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" 4 David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in to him, and he lay with her (for she was purified from her uncleanness); and she returned to her house. 5 The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, "I am with child."

6 David sent to Joab, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." Joab sent Uriah to David. 7 When Uriah had come to him, David asked of him how Joab did, and how the people fared, and how the war prospered. 8 David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house, and wash your feet." Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and a gift from the king was sent after him. 9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and didn’t go down to his house. 10 When they had told David, saying, "Uriah didn’t go down to his house," David said to Uriah, "Haven’t you come from a journey? Why didn’t you go down to your house?" 11 Uriah said to David, "The ark, Israel, and Judah, are staying in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open field. Shall I then go into my house to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing!" 12 David said to Uriah, "Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you depart." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day, and the next day. 13 When David had called him, he ate and drink before him; and he made him drunk. At evening, he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but didn’t go down to his house.

14 It happened in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15 He wrote in the letter, saying, "Send Uriah to the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck, and die." 16 It happened, when Joab kept watch on the city, that he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew that valiant men were. 17 The men of the city went out, and fought with Joab. Some of the people fell, even of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. 18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; 19 and he commanded the messenger, saying, "When you have finished telling all the things concerning the war to the king, 20 it shall be that, if the king’s wrath arise, and he asks you, ‘Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Didn’t you know that they would shoot from the wall? 21 who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Didn’t a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’" 22 So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for. 23 The messenger said to David, "The men prevailed against us, and came out to us into the field, and we were on them even to the entrance of the gate. 24 The shooters shot at your servants from off the wall; and some of the king’s servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also." 25 Then David said to the messenger, "Thus you shall tell Joab, ‘Don’t let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Make your battle stronger against the city, and overthrow it.’ Encourage him." 26 When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she made lamentation for her husband. 27 When the mourning was past, David sent and took her home to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased Yahweh.

2 Samuel 12

12:1 Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, "There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him, and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him like a daughter. 4 A traveller came to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man who had come to him, but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man who had come to him." 5 David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this is worthy to die! 6 He shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity!" 7 Nathan said to David, "You are the man. This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that would have been too little, I would have added to you many more such things. 9 Why have you despised the word of Yahweh, to do that which is evil in his sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 "This is what Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbour, and he will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.’" 13 David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against Yahweh." Nathan said to David, "Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh’s enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die."

15 Nathan departed to his house. Yahweh struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it was very sick. 16 David therefore begged God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth. 17 The elders of his house arose beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. 18 It happened on the seventh day, that the child died. The servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, "Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he didn’t listen to our voice. How will he then harm himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?" 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" They said, "He is dead." 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his clothing; and he came into the house of Yahweh, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, "What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child was dead, you rose up and ate bread." 22 He said, "While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows whether Yahweh will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me." 24 David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her. She bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Yahweh loved him; 25 and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he named him Jedidiah, for Yahweh’s sake.

26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. 27 Joab sent messengers to David, and said, "I have fought against Rabbah. Yes, I have taken the city of waters. 28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it; lest I take the city, and it be called after my name." 29 David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. 30 He took the crown of their king from off his head; and its weight was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on David’s head. He brought out the spoil of the city, exceeding much. 31 He brought out the people who were therein, and put them under saws, and under iron picks, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick kiln: and he did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 13

13:1 It happened after this, that Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2 Amnon was so troubled that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man. 4 He said to him, "Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won’t you tell me?" Amnon said to him, "I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister." 5 Jonadab said to him, "Lay down on your bed, and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and dress the food in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand.’" 6 So Amnon lay down and faked being sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please let my sister Tamar come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand." 7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, "Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him." 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. She took dough, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. 9 She took the pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. Amnon said, "Have all men leave me." Every man went out from him. 10 Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into the room, that I may eat from your hand." Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the room to Amnon her brother. 11 When she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, "Come, lie with me, my sister!" 12 She answered him, "No, my brother, do not force me! For no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Don’t you do this folly. 13 I, where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you." 14 However he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her, and lay with her. 15 Then Amnon hated her with exceeding great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. Amnon said to her, "Arise, be gone!" 16 She said to him, "Not so, because this great wrong in sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me!" But he would not listen to her. 17 Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said, "Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her." 18 She had a garment of various colours on her; for with such robes were the king’s daughters who were virgins dressed. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. 19 Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her garment of various colours that was on her; and she laid her hand on her head, and went her way, crying aloud as she went. 20 Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart." So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.

21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very angry. 22 Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. 23 It happened after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 24 Absalom came to the king, and said, "See now, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant." 25 The king said to Absalom, "No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you." He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him. 26 Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us." The king said to him, "Why should he go with you?" 27 But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him. 28 Absalom commanded his servants, saying, "Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant!" 29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule, and fled.

30 It happened, while they were in the way, that the news came to David, saying, "Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left!" 31 Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 32 Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, "Don’t let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead." 34 But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him. 35 Jonadab said to the king, "Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said." 36 It happened, as soon as he had finished speaking, that behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice, and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly. 37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 King David longed to go forth to Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.

2 Samuel 14

14:1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom. 2 Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched there a wise woman, and said to her, "Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil, but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead. 3 Go in to the king, and speak like this to him." So Joab put the words in her mouth. 4 When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, showed respect, and said, "Help, O king!" 5 The king said to her, "What ails you?" She answered, "Truly I am a widow, and my husband is dead. 6 Your handmaid had two sons, and they both fought together in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other, and killed him. 7 Behold, the whole family has risen against your handmaid, and they say, ‘Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also.’ Thus they would quench my coal which is left, and would leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the surface of the earth." 8 The king said to the woman, "Go to your house, and I will give a command concerning you." 9 The woman of Tekoa said to the king, "My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house; and the king and his throne be guiltless." 10 The king said, "Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch you any more." 11 Then she said, "Please let the king remember Yahweh your God, that the avenger of blood destroy not any more, lest they destroy my son." He said, "As Yahweh lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the earth." 12 Then the woman said, "Please let your handmaid speak a word to my lord the king." He said, "Say on." 13 The woman said, "Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? For in speaking this word the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring home again his banished one. 14 For we must die, and are as water split on the ground, which can’t be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but devises means, that he who is banished not be an outcast from him. 15 Now therefore seeing that I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and your handmaid said, ‘I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant.’ 16 For the king will hear, to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God. 17 Then your handmaid said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. May Yahweh, your God, be with you.’" 18 Then the king answered the woman, "Please don’t hide anything from me that I ask you." The woman said, "Let my lord the king now speak." 19 The king said, "Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?" The woman answered, "As your soul lives, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken; for your servant Joab, he urged me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your handmaid; 20 to change the face of the matter has your servant Joab done this thing. My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth."

21 The king said to Joab, "Behold now, I have done this thing. Go therefore, bring the young man Absalom back." 22 Joab fell to the ground on his face, showed respect, and blessed the king. Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favour in your sight, my lord, king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant." 23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24 The king said, "Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face." So Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face. 25 Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it); he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king’s weight. 27 To Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a beautiful face.

28 Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem; and he didn’t see the king’s face. 29 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king; but he would not come to him: and he sent again a second time, but he would not come. 30 Therefore he said to his servants, "Behold, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire." Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. 31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?" 32 Absalom answered Joab, "Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, "Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still. Now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me."’" 33 So Joab came to the king, and told him; and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.

Numbers 9-11 The Consequences of Complaining and Craving

Numbers 9-11 The Consequences of Complaining and Craving

Psalm 22:1-5, 21-24 Apparent Unanswered Prayer

Psalm 22:1 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? 2 My God, I cry in the daytime, but You don't answer; in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But You are holy, You who inhabit the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in You. They trusted, and You delivered them. 5 They cried to You, and were delivered. They trusted in You, and were not disappointed.

21 Save me from the lion's mouth! Yes, from the horns of the wild oxen, You have answered me. 22 I will declare Your name to my brothers. In the midst of the assembly, I will praise You.

23 You who fear YAHWEH, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him! Stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, Neither has He hidden His face from him; but when he cried to Him, He heard."

Observations: What should be a great source of comfort to God's people has become one of the most abused Psalms in the Psalter. Cited by Christ on the cross, this is an expression of confidence in apparent crises, designed to give comfort to His followers. Christ quoted the beginning of the Psalm to bring the entire Psalm to mind. There are many parallels in the rest of the Psalm between what had happened in David's life and what was happening in Christ's life. We often do the same, citing the beginning of a reference or song, forgetting the entire context.

22:1-2 It looks like God has forsaken Jesus by not answering His prayers, as the ungodly critics assert in the middle of the Psalm. But read on...

22:3-5ff David and Christ continue to trust because God is the Holy One who answers prayer, as shown by the praise He receives in the temple, and the history of His people, and the personal track record God has with David.

22:21 The verb tense change is significant, from pleading (Imperative) to proclaiming (Qal Perfect – done deed). God has answered. 

22:22-25 The individual who is saved praises God because He answered and had not forsaken him, nor hidden his face from Him. (Contrary to what many erroneously conclude because they don't study their Bible in context.)

Questions: How can two omnipresent Beings play hide-n-seek?

Application: When your heavenly hot-line gets put on hold, don't hang up. Trust to the end, you won't be abandoned nor disappointed.

Prayer: Holy God Who answers prayer, may I never doubt Your revealed goodness when You allow circumstances not to my liking, but may I trust Your holy character to always do what's best, when it's best. Amen.

P.S. God saved David from the crises; He saved Christ through it.

Proverbs 6:12-15 Profile of the Perverse

Pr 6:12 “A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth; 13 who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers; 14 in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord. 15 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy.

Observations: Note the profile of the perverse/crooked person. “Worthless” is literally “Belial,” first used in Dt 13:13 of a demonic/pagan god, and equated with Satan in 2Cor 6:15. A person who serves the dark side winds up being consumed by darkness and is unfit for doing good. The inevitable consequence is irreparable calamity.

Application: Avoid those who scheme in the dark, so you don't share their fate. Better yet, walk in the light.

Prayer: Lord, may I walk in the paths that lead to inevitable blessing, rather than those that lead to catastrophic calamity. Amen.

Judges 17-18 The final chapters of the book consist of two epilogues that chronologically belong earlier in the book. Chapters 17-18 describe theological failure in the nation, and occur near the beginning of the book, since they mention a priest who was the grandson of Moses, and the tribe of Dan had not yet possessed its inheritance (cf. 1:34). Chapters 19-21 (next post) describe moral failure in the nation, and occurred earlier in the book as well, mentioning Phinehas. Both sections relate that there was no king in Israel, and describe how far God's people had departed from His revelation, because “every man did what was right in his own eyes.”

Numbers 9-11

Numbers 9 Passover Exceptions and Close Order Drill

9:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 Moreover let the children of Israel keep the Passover in its appointed season. 3 In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, you shall keep it in its appointed season: according to all the statutes of it, and according to all the ordinances of it, shall you keep it. 7...We are unclean because of the dead body of a man: why are we kept back, that we may not offer the offering of Yahweh in its appointed season among the children of Israel? 8 Moses said to them, Stay you, that I may hear what Yahweh will command concerning you. 10 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your generations shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be on a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the Passover to Yahweh. 11 In the second month on the fourteenth day at evening they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs: 13 But the man who is clean, and is not on a journey, and forbears to keep the Passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people; because he didn`t offer the offering of Yahweh in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

15 On the day that the tent was set up the cloud covered the tent of the testimony: and at evening it was the appearance of fire, until morning. 17 Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud stayed, there the children of Israel encamped. 22 Whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud stayed on the tent, abiding thereon, the children of Israel remained encamped, and didn`t travel; but when it was taken up, they traveled. 23 At the commandment of Yahweh they encamped, and at the commandment of Yahweh they journeyed: they kept the charge of Yahweh, at the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.

Observations: 9:11 If for reasons outside their control a person couldn't keep the Passover at the appointed time (first month), God graciously allowed them to observe it the second month, but being holy/undefiled and obeying exactly was still required. Worship at one's own convenience resulted in being cut off.

9:13-23 God “trained” the Israelites to obey by moving when the cloud (Presence of God) moved and camping when He camped, just like soldiers are taught to follow commands without question.

Application: Ours is not to reason why, ours is but to do or die. Although God is usually very reasonable and comprehensible, there are times when we don't understand what He's doing. In times like those, if the command is clear, be obey, and trust God with the consequences (like Job).

Prayer: Trustworthy God, teach me to value obedience to You more than life itself. Amen.

Numbers 10 Two Trumpets and...They're Off!!!

10:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Make you two trumpets of silver; of beaten work shall you make them: and you shall use them for the calling of the congregation, and for the journeying of the camps. 3 When they shall blow them, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the door of the tent of meeting. 8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; 9 When you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets; and you shall be remembered before Yahweh your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. 10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your set feasts, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings; and they shall be to you for a memorial before your God: I am Yahweh your God. 11 It happened in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, that the cloud was taken up from over the tent of the testimony. 12 The children of Israel set forward according to their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud abode in the wilderness of Paran. 13 They first took their journey according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.

29 Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses` father-in-law, We are journeying to the place of which Yahweh said, I will give it you: come you with us, and we will do you good; for Yahweh has spoken good concerning Israel. 30 He said to him, I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my relatives. 31 He said, Don`t leave us, please; because you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you shall be to us instead of eyes. 32 It shall be, if you go with us, yes, it shall be, that whatever good Yahweh shall do to us, the same will we do to you. 33 They set forward from the Mount of Yahweh three days` journey; and the ark of the covenant of Yahweh went before them three days` journey, to seek out a resting-place for them. 34 The cloud of Yahweh was over them by day, when they set forward from the camp. 35 It happened, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Yahweh, and let your enemies be scattered; and let those who hate you flee before you. 36 When it rested, he said, Return, Yahweh, to the ten thousands of the thousands of Israel.

Observations: 10:2 The trumpets were a means of communication and calling upon God.

10:29 Moses persuades his brother-in-law to leave behind his former life and enjoy the greater good of sharing in God's blessings.

10:35 Moses still had God's reputation foremost in his thinking

Numbers 11 Two Tantrums and You're Gonna Regret It

11:1 The people were complaining in the ears of Yahweh: and when Yahweh heard it, his anger was kindled; and the fire of Yahweh burnt among them, and devoured in the outskirts of the camp. 2 The people cried to Moses; and Moses prayed to Yahweh, and the fire abated. 3 The name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of Yahweh burnt among them. 4 The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? 5 We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: 6 but now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all save this manna to look on.10 Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent: and the anger of Yahweh was kindled greatly; and Moses was displeased. 11 Moses said to Yahweh, Why have you dealt ill with your servant? and why haven`t I found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? 15 If you deal thus with me, please kill me out of hand, if I have found favor in your sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. 16 Yahweh said to Moses, Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and talk with you there: and I will take of the Spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you not bear it yourself alone. 18 Say you to the people, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow, and you shall eat flesh; for you have wept in the ears of Yahweh, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore Yahweh will give you flesh, and you shall eat. 20 a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome to you; because that you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? 23 Yahweh said to Moses, Has Yahweh`s hand grown short? now shall you see whether my word shall happen to you or not.

25 Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to Moses, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders: and it happened that when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more. 29 Moses said to him, Are you jealous for my sake? would that all Yahweh`s people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!

31 There went forth a wind from Yahweh, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp...about two cubits above the surface of the earth. 32 The people rose up all that day, and all the night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails...33 While the flesh was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of Yahweh was kindled against the people, and Yahweh struck the people with a very great plague. 34 The name of that place was called Kibrothhattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted. 35 From Kibrothhattaavah the people journeyed to Hazeroth; and they abode at Hazeroth.

Observations: 11:1 By complaining about God's provision (job, mate, kids, etc) one complains against God and rejects Him. He doesn't appreciate it, and will let us know His displeasure.

11:4 People rewrite history to justify their lusts. Their soul was dried up because it delighted itself in temporal things, rather than the eternal pleasures of God. We were not created to be satisfied with created things.

11:15-17 Moses fusses pretty well here. Fussiness is contagious. God splits up the burden upon 70 elders, upon whom also He gives His Spirit.

11:23 God promises a month's worth of meat, an incredible luxury for ex-slaves, and an incredible feat to Moses. But then, God has longer arms than most of us think.

11:25-29 In OT times the Holy Spirit came temporarily upon individuals, usually leaders, to empower them for service. Moses wishes everyone had the Spirit, (a New Covenant, and NT blessing) for then they might be better behaved.

11:33 Kibrothhattaavah, a real mouthful means “graves of lust.” So God delivered the goods and then disciplined the gluttons.

Question: Lam 3:39 Why should the living complain when punished for their sins? (NIV)

Application: Beware of badgering God to fulfill your temporal desires. He just might do so, to your regret. It's better to ask humbly and politely. It's best to learn the secrets of contentment (see Digging Deeper).

See: Ps 106:12 Then they believed his words. They sang his praise. 13 They soon forgot his works. They didn't wait for his counsel, 14 but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland. 15 He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.

Prayer: God for whom nothing is too difficult, You know my needs and desires, for You created them. Help me be content with Your provision, and trust that You will give me what's best, when it's best. Your grateful servant, me. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God graciously trains His people to respond to and trust Him. Nothing is too difficult for the God of Creation. If He doesn't have what we need in stock, He can create it. He doesn't always give us what we want because it would not be best for us. He gets angry when wasting His goodness on an ungrateful, unfaithful people consumed with satisfying their temporal desires and lusts. He is to be feared.

Us in a nutshell: We usually want what's not best for us, like a toddler demanding candy. God sometimes let's us get what we crave and sends the tummy ache along with it. If we were smart, we'd recognize that God wants us to delight first in Him, and then the other things wouldn't matter, even if God sends them our way.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Secret of Contentment

Lord of the Ringless

Numbers complete text Chapter

Chapter 9

9:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 Moreover let the children of Israel keep the Passover in its appointed season. 3 In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, you shall keep it in its appointed season: according to all the statutes of it, and according to all the ordinances of it, shall you keep it. 4 Moses spoke to the children of Israel, that they should keep the Passover. 5 They kept the Passover in the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month, at even, in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel. 6 There were certain men, who were unclean by reason of the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day: 7 and those men said to him, We are unclean by reason of the dead body of a man: why are we kept back, that we may not offer the offering of Yahweh in its appointed season among the children of Israel? 8 Moses said to them, Stay you, that I may hear what Yahweh will command concerning you. 9 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 10 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your generations shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be on a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the Passover to Yahweh. 11 In the second month on the fourteenth day at even they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs: 12 they shall leave none of it to the morning, nor break a bone of it: according to all the statute of the Passover they shall keep it. 13 But the man who is clean, and is not on a journey, and forbears to keep the Passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people; because he didn`t offer the offering of Yahweh in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin. 14 If a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the Passover to Yahweh; according to the statute of the Passover, and according to the ordinance of it, so shall he do: you shall have one statute, both for the sojourner, and for him who is born in the land. 15 On the day that the tent was reared up the cloud covered the tent, even the tent of the testimony: and at even it was on the tent as it were the appearance of fire, until morning. 16 So it was always: the cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night. 17 Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel encamped. 18 At the commandment of Yahweh the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of Yahweh they encamped: as long as the cloud abode on the tent they remained encamped. 19 When the cloud stayed on the tent many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of Yahweh, and didn`t travel. 20 Sometimes the cloud was a few days on the tent; then according to the commandment of Yahweh they remained encamped, and according to the commandment of Yahweh they journeyed. 21 Sometimes the cloud was from evening until morning; and when the cloud was taken up in the morning, they journeyed: or [if it continued] by day and by night, when the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. 22 Whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud stayed on the tent, abiding thereon, the children of Israel remained encamped, and didn`t travel; but when it was taken up, they traveled. 23 At the commandment of Yahweh they encamped, and at the commandment of Yahweh they journeyed: they kept the charge of Yahweh, at the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.

Chapter 10

10:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Make you two trumpets of silver; of beaten work shall you make them: and you shall use them for the calling of the congregation, and for the journeying of the camps. 3 When they shall blow them, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the door of the tent of meeting. 4 If they blow but one, then the princes, the heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves to you. 5 When you blow an alarm, the camps that lie on the east side shall take their journey. 6 When you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. 7 But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but you shall not sound an alarm. 8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and they shall be to you for a statute forever throughout your generations. 9 When you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets; and you shall be remembered before Yahweh your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. 10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your set feasts, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings; and they shall be to you for a memorial before your God: I am Yahweh your God. 11 It happened in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, that the cloud was taken up from over the tent of the testimony. 12 The children of Israel set forward according to their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud abode in the wilderness of Paran. 13 They first took their journey according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses. 14 In the first [place] the standard of the camp of the children of Judah set forward according to their hosts: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 15 Over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar. 16 Over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon. 17 The tent was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who bore the tent, set forward. 18 The standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their hosts: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur. 19 Over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 20 Over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 21 The Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and [the others] did set up the tent against their coming. 22 The standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their hosts: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud. 23 Over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 24 Over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni. 25 The standard of the camp of the children of Dan, which was the rearward of all the camps, set forward according to their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 26 Over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ochran. 27 Over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan. 28 Thus were the travels of the children of Israel according to their hosts; and they set forward. 29 Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses` father-in-law, We are journeying to the place of which Yahweh said, I will give it you: come you with us, and we will do you good; for Yahweh has spoken good concerning Israel. 30 He said to him, I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my relatives. 31 He said, Don`t leave us, please; because you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you shall be to us instead of eyes. 32 It shall be, if you go with us, yes, it shall be, that whatever good Yahweh shall do to us, the same will we do to you. 33 They set forward from the Mount of Yahweh three days` journey; and the ark of the covenant of Yahweh went before them three days` journey, to seek out a resting-place for them. 34 The cloud of Yahweh was over them by day, when they set forward from the camp. 35 It happened, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Yahweh, and let your enemies be scattered; and let those who hate you flee before you. 36 When it rested, he said, Return, Yahweh, to the ten thousands of the thousands of Israel.

Chapter 11

11:1 The people were as murmurers, [speaking] evil in the ears of Yahweh: and when Yahweh heard it, his anger was kindled; and the fire of Yahweh burnt among them, and devoured in the uttermost part of the camp. 2 The people cried to Moses; and Moses prayed to Yahweh, and the fire abated. 3 The name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of Yahweh burnt among them. 4 The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? 5 We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: 6 but now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all save this manna to look on. 7 The manna was like coriander seed, and the appearance of it as the appearance of bdellium. 8 The people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. 9 When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it. 10 Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent: and the anger of Yahweh was kindled greatly; and Moses was displeased. 11 Moses said to Yahweh, Why have you dealt ill with your servant? and why haven`t I found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? 12 Have I conceived all this people? have I brought them forth, that you should tell me, Carry them in your bosom, as a nursing-father carries the sucking child, to the land which you swore to their fathers? 13 Whence should I have flesh to give to all this people? for they weep to me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15 If you deal thus with me, please kill me out of hand, if I have found favor in your sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. 16 Yahweh said to Moses, Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and talk with you there: and I will take of the Spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you not bear it yourself alone. 18 Say you to the people, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow, and you shall eat flesh; for you have wept in the ears of Yahweh, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore Yahweh will give you flesh, and you shall eat. 19 You shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days, 20 but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome to you; because that you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? 21 Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and you have said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. 22 Shall flocks and herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? 23 Yahweh said to Moses, Has Yahweh`s hand grown short? now shall you see whether my word shall happen to you or not. 24 Moses went out, and told the people the words of Yahweh: and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the Tent. 25 Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders: and it happened that when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more. 26 But there remained two men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the Spirit rested on them; and they were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp. 27 There ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. 28 Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29 Moses said to him, Are you jealous for my sake? would that all Yahweh`s people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them! 30 Moses got him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel. 31 There went forth a wind from Yahweh, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day`s journey on this side, and a day`s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the earth. 32 The people rose up all that day, and all the night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails: he who gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. 33 While the flesh was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of Yahweh was kindled against the people, and Yahweh struck the people with a very great plague. 34 The name of that place was called Kibrothhattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted. 35 From Kibrothhattaavah the people journeyed to Hazeroth; and they abode at Hazeroth.