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II Samuel
Chapter
14 (Continued)
{Promise
of Divine Blessing - from an 'Actress'!} {Note: The principal here is that three types of Power can be used to distort justice when the judge is in the interlocking gates of arrogance: 1)Exploitive power - presupposes threat or the use of violence; 2) Manipulative power - power over a person 3) Competitive power - saying you will become greater in the eyes of the people and the eyes of God!}
{Suspicion
of the King}
Do
not conceal from me anything which I am about to ask you.
And
the woman said, "Let my lord the king now speak."
{Verses
19-20: Interrogation and Confession of Plaintiff}
Then
the woman answered and said,
Yes,
it was your servant Joab . . . {Note: This woman is quick to betray here benefactor (Joab) and flatter her accuser (David). This is the last we hear of her. Both David and Joab must not have anything else to do with her - no integrity. Her talent lies in being something she isn't and that does not inspire integrity. Being an actor does not make someone 'superior' so why do the unwashed masses 'worship' them and their opinions? A nation enmeshed in arrogance just does.}
{Flattery}
But
my lord {David} is wise, {Note: The actress is now flattering David with 'you knew all along this was a fake drama and you went along with it so you could do what you wanted to do - to pardon your beloved son Absalom".} {Note: RBT says from Deuteronomy 33:2 and Psalms 68:17, we see that angels taught the Mosaic Law in the time of Moses. They can be invisible and see without being seen. So the Jews thought them to be almost omniscient.}
21~~Then
the king said unto Joab,
Go,
therefore, bring back the 'young man' Absalom {Note: By using 'young man', David is indicating that Absalom is NOT being restored to 'Prince elect' the future king of Israel. David pardoned Absalom but did not personally forgive him. This is another error of David.}
{Exuberance
of Joab}
He
both honored/'bowed himself' {shachah - the official formal bow},
Then
Joab said, "Today . . . your 'loyal subject' {Note: Joab erroneously equates 'getting his way' . . . with 'the grace of God' - a misapplication of the doctrine of grace. He also thinks all the nations problems are solved by bringing back Absalom. Instead, he and David will soon be in the woods looking for soldiers to fight on their side!}
{Verses
23-24: Absalom Remanded to Custody of Joab}
24~~Then
the king commanded, And, he {Absalom} will not see my face."
So
Absalom returned to his own palace {Note: A pardon means 'as if he never committed the crime'. If a criminal who is pardoned is to be rehabilitated, society must follow both the letter and spirit of the law. The letter of the law says 'his crimes are to be forgotten' (see Isaiah 43:25). David followed the letter of the law. But David violated the 'spirit of the law'. He pardoned Absalom, but he did NOT forgive and forget personally. And, this will cause more problems for him in the future.}
{Verses
25-26: Results of Pardon Without Forgiveness - the Narcissus Syndrome}
From
the sole of his foot to the top of his head
{Note:
The Narcissus syndrome is when the person is so
{The
Degeneracy of Long Hair in the Male} {Note: Principal: Long hair on a man is a sign of his rejection of authority and is dishonorable (I Corinthians 11:14). Whereas, long hair on a woman is her glory and it is also a protection of the woman from angels (I Corinthians 11:15; 11:10). The exception is the Nazarite vow of Numbers 6:5 (Sampson was a Nazarite - as was John the Baptist/Baptizer/Herald). So here, intended or not, Absalom was 'impressing the people' with how 'spiritual' he was by having long hair.}
27~~Incidently,
to Absalom were born three sons She was a woman of beautiful appearance {like her Aunt Tamar}. {Note: If Absalom had taken the Nazarite vow and his long hair was evidence of that vow, then he could not touch women! So, Absalom's long hair was a sign of his rejection of authority. SideNote: the names of the three sons are never given. From II Samuel 18:18 it appears they all died in youth. Tamar was named after her famous aunt who was raped by Amnon (who was then murdered by Absalom).}
{Verses
28-33: David's Arrogance Hangover}
29~~Consequently,
Absalom sent for Joab,
But
he {Joab} refused {'abah -verb of negative volition}
So
he {Absalom} sent again for him a second time . . . {Note: Absalom needs to get back right with David, so that he can use this to start a revolution against David. But Joab now realizes that Absalom is not the man to be the next king and is not supporting Absalom in his efforts.}
{Absalom
Proves He is Still a Criminal At Heart} Go and set it {the barley in the field} on fire. Therefore, the Absalom's servants set the 'crop of barley' on fire. {Note: An attack on personal property is an attack on God's Laws for Establishment (same with any attack on personal freedoms). This applies to both the criminal and/or the Federal Government - an attack on freedoms and free enterprise is evil. Maltreatment from others (David) does NOT justify maltreatment to others (Joab)}
{Coercion
and Manipulation of Joab} {Note: Absalom flunked the injustice test. David wronged him to pardon him but only a half-forgiveness over the last two years. So Absalom fails and bitterness sends him into the arrogance complex.}
{Secondary
Manipulation}
'It
would have been better for me if I were still there
Now,
therefore, let me see the king's face; {Note: Absalom is pointing out there is no 'guilt' after pardon for that past crime. Absalom knew David was not about to execute him after he had pardoned him! So, this is a fake 'offer'. He just needs to get back in good with David so he can lead a revolt against him. Joab was not intimidated. But he yielded to reason - Absalom was right in what he was saying.}
33~~As
a result, Joab went to the king,
Therefore,
he {David} summoned into his presence Absalom.
And,
he {Absalom} came to the king, Finally, the king {David - lifted him up and} kissed Absalom. {Note: This kiss is equivalent to our custom of a handshake today. When David kissed Absalom, he publicly acknowledged that he forgave him. However, the people will think that David has now made Absalom the heir-apparent. Absalom will use the authority of David to start a revolution against David.}
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