Reading for May 20th

Read 2 Samuel 17.5-29. In verses 5-14: Hushai advises that Absalom wait and then attack David with the full force of Israel (v. 11).  Of course, Hushai is trying to give David time to recuperate and reorganize. He also plays on Absalom's ego saying that all the people will follow him, and he can lead them into battle (v. 12). Even though Ahithophel's advice is obviously better than Hushai's, the Lord had ordained that Absalom would be persuaded to follow Hushai. In verses 15-16: Hushai sends word o David through the priests and their sons. He bought David some time but urges him to cross the Jordan quickly and escape. In verses 18-19: The well was a simple pit; its opening could be covered with a blanket and grain spread over it for perfect camouflage. In verse 23: Abithophel committed suicide perhaps because he knew that the end of Absalom's reign was imminent. In verse 24: Mahanaim was a site east of the Jordan that was easily defensible. In verse 25: Amasa was David's nephew, the son of his sister Zeruiah. She is called the daughter of Nahash here rather than the daughter of Jesse. This may be a scribal error (Nahash occurs inv. 29) or Abigail may have been David's half-sister. In verse 27: This Nahash is the Ammonite king with whom David had a treaty (10.1-2). His son, Shobi, loyal to the treaty, now helps David in exile. Comments or Questions..