Just a cunning as David has been in the past, his son Absalom is blessed with similar qualities. In 2 Samuel 15, we see just how much the two men have in common.
Restored in the eyes of Israel, Absalom, handsome and the image of youth and vitality, begins to develop a following in the city. It would seem that he is planting seeds of discord as well as he stands in the gate denouncing the lack of justice that seems to flow from David. The same lack of response to first Amnon's act of rape and then Absalom's murder of Amnon seems to have infected the entire judicial system of David. Slowly but surely, the people fall in love with Absalom and favor him over his father, David.
Absalom finds an excuse to go to Hebron, the ancestral seat of Judah, and there he calls the tribes together to revolt against David. Absalom amasses enough support that David realizes he is in danger and gathers his people and flees Jerusalem.
David, though is not a fool, and begins to plan his own return to power. He leaves his priests behind with the Ark, knowing that it will be God's Will that is done, but also so that his loyal people can begin to work against Absalom from the inside. He also sends Hushai back to Jerusalem to act as a spy. A high stakes game is just beginning.
As David flees the city, we encounter two Saulists. The first is Ziba,whom David had charged with caring for Mephibosheth. Ziba comes out to support David and David inquires of Mephibosheth. Ziba says that Mephibosheth sees this revolt as God's way of getting back at David for stealing the throne from Saul's line. David responds to Ziba's loyalty by giving him all of the lands given to Mephibosheth. Of course this means nothing unless David becomes king again.
The second Saulist is Shimei, who comes out to curse David. He claims that the revolt is the response to David's murder of Saul's line and his lack of morality. When Abishai wants to kill Shimei, David responds that it is possible that God is behind the curses. Even in this situation, David realizes that God is in charge and it will be God's Will that is done.
Meanwhile back in Jerusalem, Absalom accepts Hushai into service and demonstrates he is now king by going to the king's concubines chambers. Absalom has now taken David's throne and his possessions.
1 Corinthians 7
Paul finally seems to get to the point of the letter, or the reason that the community in Corinth had requested his opinion, that was of marriage and sex. For Paul marriage is a gift to help men and women control their sexual desires in a fashion consistent with the covenant between Israel and God. It would seem in this letter, procreation was not a concern. A husband and wife should have sexual relations, to keep passions in check.
If a man or a woman is unmarried and fighting against these passions, they should get married. If one is a widow or single, they should try to remain that way. If one is married to an unbeliever, stay married to them to try and bring them to the Lord. In married, remained married, no divorce but if you do separate do not enter into other relationships.
All these dictates are based upon Christ's immediate return. Remain as pure as possible, so that you are ready when Jesus comes again.
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