Today we see King David face 4 major adversities:
1) His son Absalom positions himself as judge in Jerusalem, wins the favor of the people, and proclaims himself as king of Hebron. When David hears of this he flees with his men and all of their households in fear that Absalom would kill them and destroy Jerusalem. “But the king left 10 women, concubines, to keep the house.” David sends Zadok, the priest, and Abiathar back to Jerusalem with the ark of God. He also sends his friend Hushai back as his spy and to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, David’s former counselor who joined ranks with Absalom.
2) Ziba runs out to David with supplies and tells David that Mephibosheth abandoned David and stayed back to have the kingdom restored to him. 😏 This is a total lie. David believes the lie and tells Ziba he can have all that was Mephibosheth’s.
3) While on the run, Shimei comes out cursing David and throwing rocks at him. David’s men want to kill Shimei but David will not allow it. David says, “It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day”.
4) Ahithophel, David’s former counselor and Bathsheba’s grandfather who could still be holding a grudge, advises Absalom to show his position over David by sleeping with his concubines. “So they pitched a tent for Absalom on top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all of Israel.” 🙈 This is just as the Lord told David would happen after his affair with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 12:11-12).
The reading ends with Hushai overthrowing Ahithophel’s advice to Absalom regarding attacking David and his men. Wow! 🤯 That’s a lot of deception, betrayal, and animosity toward King David. There is bound to be some major fallout. Keep reading to find out what happens.
(2 Samuel 15:1-17:14)
Chronological Bible in Layman's Terms 