After several chapters in Psalms, we now move back to the book of 2 Samuel. In our last look in this chapter, a brother raped a sister and God sat by and did nothing to stop it.
“When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him.” 2 Samuel 16:1
The first verse sets the context of the story.
“Then the king (David) said to Ziba, ‘All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.’” – 2 Samuel 16:4
Um. Okay. Sure?
“As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out.” – 2 Samuel 16:5
Understandable given God took over Saul’s body and forced Saul to commit crimes against others. This was all part of God’s plan to plant David as the leader of the Israelites. The big question is why God didn’t do this is a peaceful way. Wouldn’t an all-knowing and all-loving god want peace?
“As he cursed, Shimei said, ‘Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!’” – 2 Samuel 16:7-8
Finally someone calls out David as a murderer.
“It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.” – 2 Samuel 16:12
What misery is David referring to? God has made him leader of the Israelites. To be fair, God unjustly had David’s wives raped and his son killed.
“Ahithophel answered, ‘Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.’” – 2 Samuel 16:21
This is the advice Athithophel gave Absalom. Absalom is the brother of Annon, the one who raped his own sister. Abaslom waited two years to do anything to Annon and then killed him. Back to the advice. Sleep with David’s concubines so you can be obnoxious? Only in the Bible!
“So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.” – 2 Samuel 16:22
David has a lot of concubines. Surely Abaslom did not sleep with all of them in one night. How many nights did it take?
“Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.” – 2 Samuel 16:23
Seriously? The advice of sleeping with concubines, just to be obnoxious, is the advice of someone who inquires of God? You must be kidding me!
This chapter is more evidence of the immorality of the Bible. Advice to sleep with concubines just to be obnoxious? Wow! I’ve said it before many times and I’ll say it again many times. Reading the Bible from cover to cover is the quickest path from Christianity to Atheism.
Coming Soon: 2 Samuel – Chapter 17: Untitled