Character Studies in 2 Samuel Redivivus

I got a nice note this week from a Stylos reader in Texas:

I am leading a ladies Bible study this year on the life of King David and the Psalms. I discovered the Character Studies from Second Samuel  that are posted [on your blog]. These will be REALLY helpful as we read through the narrative.

I had sort of forgotten about this series I wrote back in 2010.  You can read the Character Studies in 2 Samuel series here.

JTR

Character Studies in 2 Samuel: Barzillai the Gileadite

Barzillai the Gileadite:

Barzillai was a man who remained faithful and useful to David during his time of distress. He was “a very aged man, eighty years old,” and he was “a very rich man” (2 Sam 19:31). When David was in flight, Barzillai and others gave provisions to his entourage. They “brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, ‘The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness’” (17:28-29). Barzillai did not “shut up his heart” from a brother in need (cf. I John 3:17). His aid was practical and generous.

When David returned to Jerusalem he entreated his aged patron, “Come across with me, and I will provide for you while you are with me in Jerusalem” (19:33). Barzillai declines the offer, however, responding, “How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?” (v. 34). When David crossed over Jordan, “the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own place” (v. 39). Barzillai reminds us that one is never too old to offer timely service for the kingdom or to stand on the side of the righteous. He is a model for generosity and stewardship.

JTR

Character Studies in 2 Samuel: Hushai the Archite

Image:  David in flight

Hushai the Archite:

Hushai the Archite was a man of intense loyalty and inspired cunning. In 1 Chronicles 27:33 he is called “the king’s companion.” When David prepared to flee in the face of Absalom’s treason, Hushai came out to meet him “with his robe torn and dust on his head” (2 Sam 15:32). David told the faithful Hushai that if he joined his entourage in flight he would only be a “burden” to him (v. 33), so he sent Hushai back to Jerusalem to serve as his stealth agent in Absalom’s court (v. 34). He was joined there by other David loyalists including Zadok and Abiathar the priests (v. 35). “So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem” (v. 37). According to David’s plan, Hushai infiltrated Absalom’s court, became Ahithophel’s nemesis, and defeated and his counsel. The Lord would use Hushai to defeat Absalom’s rebellion and restore David to the throne.

JTR

Character Studies in 2 Samuel: Ahithophel the Gilonite

Image:  The deaths of Absalom and Ahithophel

Ahithophel:

Ahithophel the Gilonite had been one of David’s counselors, but he became a turncoat and went to Absalom’s side when he saw that “the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom” (2 Sam 15:12). He proved to be a petulant advisor. When things did not go his way, he ended his life by his own hand.

It must have been like a dagger to the heart when David was told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom”; David petitions, “O LORD, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness” (15:31).

Ahithophel arrived with the rebel prince in Jerusalem when David fled. He gave counsel to Absalom to take his father’s concubines so that “the hands of all who are with you will be strong” (16:21). Great deference was given to any counsel that came from this man. “Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God” (16:23). Despite the honor given him by men, the Lord would frustrate his plans and schemes. David had left behind Hushai the Archite to “defeat the counsel of Ahithophel” (15:34). Ahithophel urged Absalom to immediately pursue David and offered to lead a company of twelve thousand men himself (17:1). Hushai, however, frustrated this advice by urging delay: “The advice that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time” (17:7). Absalom sided with Hushai concluding, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel” (17:14). Behind it all was the purpose of a sovereign God: “For the LORD had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring disaster on Absalom” (v. 14).

Ahithophel knew that the rebellion would fail. He had chosen the wrong side. Unable to handle a situation over which his Machiavellian advice was not followed and over which he had no control, he determines that he will at least arrange his own exit. “Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then, he put his house in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father’s tomb” (17:23).

Character Studies in 2 Samuel: Shimei

Shimei:

Shimei was the man who took the opportunity to attack David verbally when he was down, but he eventually paid a high price for his slander. Shimei was from the house of Saul. When David fled before Absalom, Shimei was thrilled. This was his moment to exact revenge on David and gloat over what appeared to be David’s downfall. Who knows how long he had harbored such ill will against David. He meets the king at Bahurim “cursing continuously as he came” (2 Sam 16:1). He even threw stones at David and his entourage, shouting, “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue!” (v. 7). Shimei took it upon himself to interpret the providential circumstances of David’s flight as God’s judgment upon him for overthrowing Saul’s house: “The LORD has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul…. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!” (v. 8).

When faithful Abishai offers to take Shimei’s head off his shoulders for his impertinent outburts, David restrains him. He accepts it as God’s perfect will: “Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him. It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day” (2 Sam 16:11-12). So, all the while David and his men retreated, Shimei cursed, threw stones, and “kicked up dust” (v. 13).

The circumstances are quite different when the rebellion has been quelled and David crosses the Jordan returning to Jerusalem. The king meets a penitent Shimei: “Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what wrong your servant did on the day that my lord the king left Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart” (2 Sam 19:19). Abishai again offers to exact a just reward, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?” (v. 21). David, however, will not spoil the day of triumph with bloodshed, even that of his enemy. In mercy he tells Shimei, “You shall not die” (v. 23).

There does come a day of reckoning at last for Shimei. On his deathbed, David instructs Solomon not to hold Shimei “guiltless” but to “bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood” (1 Kgs 2:9). Solomon summoned Shimei and warned him that on the day he crossed the Brook Kidron and left Jerusalem that his blood would be on his own head (v. 37). For three years Shimei abided by the restrictions on his travel, but then he trespassed the rules by pursuing two slaves to Gath. Solomon again summoned Shimei and pronounced sentence, “You know, as you heart acknowledges, all the wickedness you did to my father David; therefore, the LORD will return your wickedness on your own head” (v. 44). Within moments Benaiah has struck Shimei down.

Character Studies in 2 Samuel: Ziba

Ziba:

Ziba is the servant of Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth. David, in mercy, had appointed Ziba to serve his dear friend’s lame son (cf. 2 Sam 9). When David was forced to flee Jerusalem before Absalom, Ziba gave provisions to David and relayed his master’s treachery. Ziba reported that the lame prince thought that he might perhaps become king in David’s place: “Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me” (2 Sam 16:3). David promised to reward Ziba’s fidelity by giving him Mephibosheth’s property (v. 4). When David is returned, however, Mephibosheth gives a conflicting account and claims that Ziba has, in fact, slandered him (see 19:24-30). David, unable to touch bottom on the matter, divides the property equally among them (19:9), anticipating the wisdom of his son Solomon (cf. 1 Kings 3:16-28). So, what really happened? Did Mephibosheth really betray David or was he betrayed by a crafty Ziba? Did Ziba tell the truth or did he slander his master for his own selfish gain? Scripture is content to leave the matter in the haze. Confusion is often a byproduct of conflict.

Character Studies in 2 Samuel: Absalom

Absalom:

In outward appearance he is an impressive man. “From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him” (2 Sam 14:25). At his annual haircut, his sheared locks were weighed at two hundred shekels (2 Sam 14:26)!  Looks, however, can be deceiving. Embittered by the mistreatment of his sister Tamar, he murdered his brother Ammon. He tries to take the reins of justice and authority out of rightful hands and into his own. Both the cause and the means are unjust. Despite the leniency David extended to Absalom after his treachery, Absalom sets out to undermine the authority of his father and king. He despises the fifth commandment. He does so by sowing discord among the Israelites and casting doubt on his father’s decision. The rebellious son sets himself up as an alternative ruler and judge. “So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Sam 15:6). Perhaps David was thinking of his rebellious son and his mob when he wrote in Psalm 35:12:  "They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul."  Absalom dies in disgrace, his swelled head with its flowing locks caught in the branches of a terebinth tree (2 Sam 18:9, 14-15).

JTR

Character Studies in 2 Samuel: Tamar

Tamar

Tamar is the prototype for the righteous victim. She was attacked and robbed of her virginity by her wicked half-brother Amnon. After the assault, she put ashes on her head, tore her many colored robe worn by the king’s virgin daughters, “and laid her hand on her head and went away crying bitterly” (2 Sam 13:19). She fled for refuge to her brother Absalom and remained “desolate” in his home (v. 20). Her father David was very angry at the injustice (v. 21), but it was her brother Absalom who took matters into his own hands and sought revenge. After Absalom arranged the murder of Amnon, the crafty Jonadab explained, “For by command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar” (v. 32). The violation of Tamar brings about a series of events that will result in the deaths of both Amnon and Absalom and will nearly cost her father his throne. We hear no more about Tamar in the Scriptures. We do know that Absalom named his only daughter after his beloved sister, and this child, like her namesake, “was a woman of fair countenance” (14:27).

Character Studies in 2 Samuel: Jonadab

Jonadab:

Jonadab is the son of David’s brother Shimeah. He is also a friend to the king’s son, Amnon. Jonadab advises his friend and cousin on how to entrap Tamar. He is described in 2 Samuel 13:3: “Now Jonadab was a very crafty man.” His foolish counsel sets in motion a civil war. He was also apparently privy to Absalom’s plan to murder his brother Amnon in retaliation for assaulting Tamar, but he did not nothing to stop this foolish course (cf. vv. 32-33). He represents all those whose crafty counsel leads to pain and suffering.

Character Studies in 2 Samuel: Introduction and Amnon

Note:  I'm starting a new series of posts today on "Character Studies from 2 Samuel."  Here's the intoduction and the first study on Amnon.

Introduction: 

The book of 2 Samuel describes the difficulties that arose during the reign of King David. Serious problems in David’s rule develop following his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. Most disheartening is the rebellion of Absalom, David’s son, and the civil war that follows. The story of David’s rise and fall and his rising again is made all the more gripping in 2 Samuel by the colorful descriptions of the various characters within the narrative. They are historical figures, but their presentation in the narrative is also meant to convey timeless spiritual traits and situations. Anyone who has ever gone through a crisis in his family, school, work, or church has met with such characters. The reader might sometimes even the faces of friends, enemies, and acquaintances as he scans 2 Samuel. He may even see himself in some of the characters. They appear as illustrations and warnings.

Amnon:

Amnon is a man consumed by his lust. He is a user and an abuser. Amnon becomes obsessed with his half-sister Tamar. He is so distressed by his desire for her that he becomes physically sick (2 Sam 13:2). He hatches a crafty plot to secure the object of his illicit desire. He pretends to be sick, then he asks his unsuspecting father to send Tamar to be his nurse and to prepare for him a special meal. He gets the vulnerable girl alone, lures her to his bedroom, and attacks her. She resists his advance and protests, “Do not do this disgraceful thing!” (v. 12). She urges him to take the honorable course and seek her hand in marriage from the king. The response: “However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her” (v. 14). Amnon becomes a rapist. No sooner has he taken Tamar, than he hates her, “so that the hate with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her” (v. 15). Amnon's love is fickle.  He callously sends Tamar away: “Arise, be gone!” (v. 15). He throws her out and bolts the door behind her. Little did Amnon then know that his lust would cost him his life. In ill treating Tamar, he signed his death warrant at the hands of Absalom.

JTR