This study was originally inspired by my access to Sermons on 2 Samuel by John Calvin, translated by Douglas Kelly. I used to go to the library to transcribe this. But now that I have bought the book, which is only translated from Chapters 1-13, I will do just the summary, in addition to the online Friday Bible study I joined at LECC.ORG, which was at chapter 12 the time I first participated.
In my entries in the past, I have mentioned that I managed to reached out to Douglas Kelly, but it's been years and I don't think he's getting back at translating the rest of this. So I may have to be the one looking into the original source and maybe translate it myself.
I have both downloaded (1 Samuel, Latin) and purchased (around $40 including shipping) (2 Samuel sermons by John Calvin - complete in German). I guess I'll translate these myself after a huge head start by Douglas Kelly (2 Sam 1-13).
Question was asked on last Friday's LECC chapter 12, about the prophet, that if Jesus was said to be an Angel. Not much answered was given, I kept it to myself because I feel it was off topic, plus I was the guest: Angel just means messenger of God, so in a way Jesus was such, in another way, he would have been THE ANGEL, though qualitatively very different from the other angels that aren't humans.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Of all paintings on Nathan rebuking David, I notice two groups: One is where David looks like a slouch, acting emotionally defensive; while the other, which is more biblical, shows remorse, repentance.
Matthew 7's judge not was related to David's judgment on the parable of Nathan thinking it being true story. Interesting.
Question was asked during LECC Zoom Bible Study (5/20/2022) if we should speak out, rebuke publicly.
Eze 33:7 & Pro. 9:8 were brought up.
It's remarkable how some of them could relate these verses. Although, Ezekiel was referring to appointed men of God, not just any Christians.
Pro 9:8: 不要责备亵慢人，恐怕他恨你；要责备智慧人，他必爱你。 Made me thought about John the Baptist. This is perhaps why some Chinese pastor (齐正) I knew in the past thought John was wrong as he suffered after rebuking Herod. In Christian fellowship, this 责备 is rightly used. Hence, do not ָיַכח (yāḵaḥ) rebuke in the same manner the nonbelievers. There are many kinds of rebuke: ִמְגֶעֶרת mig̱‛ereṯ, תּוכחת tôkêchâh, etc.
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
This is certainly an interesting chapter. While LECC Bible study today (Friday) focused more on David (justice vs. relationship) and Absalom (unrepentant), I was speechless the whole time because I was busy looking up on Joab, whom David on his deathbed advised Solomon to kill (1Ki 2:6 ...do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace).
But what is Joab's motive here in this chapter? Many commentators suggested that Joab was trying to gain credit from both Absalom and David. A good question was asked, how should David deal with Absalom?
My take on this: The wise woman that Joab sent on his behalf was seen through by David, while David could not tell who Nathan was talking about in his "made-up" story. David repented before Nathan but not before this woman nor Joab. As if he did not approve of their methodology, yet he is troubled by his love for Absalom and his own sin.
I wondered, how would David have behaved, how would his person change, had he not fallen for beauty trap? Had he not lust. How would all things turn out with Absalom, Amnon.
Tong once said that David did not kill Joab himself because of his big heart to his people. Though 王明道 had a different idea: Because Joab was the one David used to lead Uriah to his death.
我仔细查考大卫和约押两个人的事迹，我发现了一个缘故，大卫所以不杀约押不是因为他不想杀约押，乃是因为不敢杀他。他所以不敢杀约押就是因为他曾把一个把柄交在约押的手里，以致他一生不能向约押开口，声讨约押的罪。
Therefore, David feared such hold Joab likely had on him. I don't quite hold to this simply because David had proven his fearlessness many times. Tong's probably more accurate.
This is a hard chapter, especially on Joab's action. Joab's sinful character is hard to discern to the accurate detail, even Puritanboard debated on it.
Chapter 15:1-12
From the LECC Zoom group study today, I related Absalom's doings to presidential elections. The ethics of motives. And even on how we seek promotion at work, what kind of motive do our job with, socialize with our peers, our managers, etc.
Although the leader did not quite agree with my bringing up the ethics of motives. Her defense (that we never truly know even our own motives - which I believe is unbiblical but did not say that in the group) was probably:
Jer 17:9 人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？
1 Corinthians 2:11 除了在人里头的灵，谁知道人的事；像这样，除了神的灵，也没有人知道神的事。
But those verses are not talking about we don't know our own mind, in fact, just the opposite (1 Corinthians). And Jeremiah was actually speaking of how hard it is to know the motives of others, but there is an indirect call to reflect upon our own heart, because only the spirit of a man can know the things in himself.
And if it's about not talking about motives of others, I then alluded (very subtly) to the fact that she had already done that by speculating Ahithophel dissing David because of how David treated Bathsheba, supposedly granddaughter of Ahithophel. I didn't say but she also speculated that Absalom would have done something horrible had David prevented Amnon's murder. These are all talking about someone's heart.
We can always speculate, God never forbids it. In fact we must judge, it part of God's image and likeness. Call it discernment or deduction, they are all resulting in some form of judgment. Judging is not the same as condemnation. But when we judge, we must judge rightly and judge as a role model ourselves. Otherwise, it's best we judge not, lest we suffer the same curse.
# my own notes onwards:
v.25: We follow God, not God follows us.
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Since I'm leading this one at LECC online, I'll put down my study notes here.
Background: Absalom was the third son of King David.
David's sons in order: Hebron:
1. Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel.
2. Kileab/Daniel, by Abigail from Carmel
3. Absalom, by Maacah. Brother of Tamar. Father of also another Tamar.
4. Adonijah, by Haggith (2 Sam 2:4), tried to usurp David's throne (1 Kings 1:11), killed by Benaiah the son of Jehoiada by order of Solomon.
5. Shephatiah, by Abital
6. Ithream, by Eglah
In Jerusalem:
7. infant who died from Bathsheba
...
In chapter 15, Absalom attempted to divert the relationship between king and people to him and the people. This kind of loyalty 忠诚 is no match to David's men. 小聪明。hmm "你的事有情有理" 2Sam 15:3. 暗中得了以色列人的心 15:6
v.1-2: Joab, Abishai and Ittai were the 3 military teams against Absalom. The first two were brothers, sons of Zeruiah, sister to David. They are David's 外甥, David is their 舅舅. Abishai appears to have a clean name while the other two appear to lust for blood. Abishai once singlehandedly killed 300 (2Sam 23:14-17). Though all 3 were quite loyal to David and has great contributions to his kingdom in military affairs. Unfortunately, Especially Joab and Asahel, 杀气重.
v.3-4: They truly love their king. Unlike Absalom.
v.5: Is the King right in such order? 裙带关系? Has David failed in discerning family relationship vs. state matters when they overlap? Can it ever be win win?
v.7-8: no small battle. But a strange one, since it's in the forest. More died in the woods than by swords.
Things to look up:
Battle of the Wood of Ephraim: Consider also Battles in forests, such as the famous Battle of Hürtgen Forest.
On why Absalom was on a mule: Mules, the crossbreed
杂交育种 product of a horse and a donkey, is stronger, though not as strong as a horse, but easier to maintain (less food need), very useful for mountain trails, good for desert use as well.
v.9: Chinese: His hair vs English: His head. Read: 2Sam 14:26 - 重二百舍客勒。Grander than Fabio's hair.
v.14: Joab maybe right, but it is not to dismiss his lust for blood.
v.15: Absalom had his men killed Amnon. He suffered the same fate.
v.17: Burial worth only for enemies and criminals.
v.18: Absalom's monument - Jews, Christians and Muslims used to throw stones at the monument as tradition. Jerusalem parents bring unruly children here for lesson about rebellious son.
v.20: Joab was preventing Ahimaaz for his own sake and asked a foreigner Cushite to bring the bad/good news instead.
v.29-30: Joab is wiser here than Ahimaaz. Though Ahimaaz outran the Cushite, he did not bring what David wanted to hear. 退去. We should watch ourselves not to be hasty always. Think first.
v.32: The Cushite answered in wisdom.
v.33: Chief cause - multiple wives, not paying attention to his children.
That is of the world, temporal, not worth pursuing. Pursue the eternal things of God.
What God has not given, no matter what, you will never get it, even if you do, it's not going to end well.
David, Solomon, never fought for the thrones, but God gave it to them.
Ask for important contrast 对比 - Absalom false king died on the tree and speared 遗臭万年 vs. Jesus true king died on the cross and speared 流芳百世.