April 29: 2 Samuel 17:15–29; Psalm 3; Psalm 63; 2 Samuel 18:1 – 2 Samuel 19:30

Hushai Saves David – 2 Samuel 17:15–29

• Hushai tells Zadok and Abiathar the priests to find David and tell him to cross the Jordan into the wilderness or else he and his army will perish. David and all his people do as directed, and Ahithophel, realizing his advice had not been followed, went home and hung himself.
• David arrives in Mahanaim, and Absalom's army sets up camp in Gilead. David is met by Shobi and Makir, who provide food for him and his men.

Save Me, O My God – Psalm 3

• David counts his foes, but realizes that the Lord is a shield around him. He pleads with God to save him.

My Soul Thirsts for You – Psalm 63

• David seeks God in his time of trouble but also claims his confidence in God's protection.

Absalom Killed – 2 Samuel 18

• David musters the men with him and sends them out under the command of Joab, Abishai, and Ittai the Gittite. David intends to go with them, but they refuse. David tells the commanders to deal gently with Absalom for his sake.
• In the forests of Ephraim, the men of Israel are defeated by David's army, with a loss of 20,000 men. Absalom is riding his mule beneath the branches of an oak, and his head becomes stuck in the branches, suspending him over his donkey. Joab learns of this and takes three javelins into Absalom's heart.
• Joab blows the trumpet, and the men of David fall back. Joab throws Absalom into a pit in the forest and throws stones over top of him. All of Israel flees to their homes.

David Hears of Absalom's Death

• At Joab's agreement, Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, carries the news of their delivery from the men of Israel. 

David's Grief

• While Ahimaaz is with David, the Cushite arrives with the news of Absalom's death. David retires to his chamber to mourn his son, saying that he would have died for him. 

Joab Rebukes David – 2 Samuel 19

• Joab learns that David is mourning Absalom, and he rebukes David, telling him that if Absalom was alive and all of David's men were dead, he would be pleased. He tells David that if he does not go out and treat his men kindly, none of them will stay with him. David does as instructed.

David Returns to Jerusalem

• The men of Israel decide to invite David to be their king again.
• David returns to Jerusalem with escorts by the men of Israel.

David Pardons His Enemies 

• Shimei and Ziba fall before David to beg his forgiveness, and Abishai asks if they should be put to death for cursing the Lord's anointed. David declares that they should not die. David also pardons Mephibosheth, who claims his servant Ziba lied to David by saying that Mephibosheth chose to stay in Jerusalem (Ziba took his donkey so he had no way to travel).

April 28: 2 Samuel 15:1 – 2 Samuel 17:14

Absalom's Conspiracy – 2 Samuel 15

• Absalom steals the hearts of Israel by saying that he would give justice to all who came to Jerusalem with disputes. After four years, he asks David for permission to go to Hebron to worship God. David agrees, and Absalom goes. He sends messengers throughout Israel, telling the people that as soon as they hear the trumpets, they are to say, "Absalom is king at Hebron!" He takes 200 people with him (who don't realize what he is doing), and others join them.

David Flees Jerusalem

• A messenger comes to David and tells him that the hearts of the people have gone after Absalom. David flees from Jerusalem, leaving only ten concubines behind. David questions Ittai the Gittite why the Gittites, who are foreigners, are following him, and he pledges their loyalty to David.
• The Levites follow David, bringing the ark of the covenant. David sends them back to Jerusalem, telling them that if he finds favor in the Lord, God will bring him back to Jerusalem. Abiathar and Zadok take the ark back to Jerusalem.
• David and others climb the Mount of Olives in bare feet and with their heads covered, weeping. David is told that Ahithophel is a conspirator of Absalom, and David asks God to turn Ahithophel's counsel to foolishness. David sends Hushai the Archite back to Jerusalem to be a spy in Absalom's house (he has returned to Jerusalem).

David and Ziba – 2 Samuel 16

• Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, brings saddled donkeys, two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine for David and the men climbing the Mount of Olives. David declares that all that belonged to Mephibosheth now belongs to Ziba, and Ziba pays him homage.

Shimei Curses David

• As David comes to Bahurim, Shimei (of the house of Saul), comes as David cursing him and throwing stones at him. Abishai, son of Zeruiah asks to behead him, and David tells him to leave Shimei alone, as God will repay the man's deeds if He chooses to. David and all those following him arrive at the Jordan, where they refresh themselves.

Absalom Enters Jerusalem

• Absalom and all those following him come into Jerusalem. Hushai requests to continue serving the king (now Absalom), and Absalom asks for his counsel. Hushai tells him to go in to David's concubines, which he does in the sight of all Israel (in a tent on the roof). 
• Ahithophel's counsel is as if he consults the word of God, and David and Absalom esteem him.

Hushai Saves David – 2 Samuel 17

• Ahithophel requests of Absalom that he choose twelve thousand men so he can pursue David that night and kill him. Absalom has him call Hushai, for his counsel.
• Hushai instead recommends mobilizing the entire army of Israel and having Absalom lead them. Absalom agrees to Hushai's plan, for the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, who had the better plan, so he could bring harm upon Absalom.

April 27: 2 Samuel 12:26–31; 1 Chronicles 20:2–3; 2 Samuel 13:1 – 2 Samuel 14:33

Rabbah is Captured – 2 Samuel 12:26–31 & 1 Chronicles 20:2–3

• Joab fights against the Ammonites at Rabbah, taking the royal city, and sends word to David. David brings all of Israel, and they take all of Rabbah. The king's crown is given to David, and all the people are made servants to Israel.

Amnon and Tamar – 2 Samuel 13

• Absalom, David's son, has a beautiful sister named Tamar. Amnon, another of David's sons, loves her, and is miserable because of it. When Amnon's cousin Jonadab questions him why, he admits that he loves Tamar. The friend instructs him to feign illness and ask his father to have Tamar come to him and make him cakes. Amnon does as his friend suggests.
• David sends Tamar to Amnon's house, and she makes the cakes, but he refuses to eat. He has everyone else sent away and calls Tamar into his chamber. When she comes in, he tells her to lie with him, but she tells him not to do such an outrageous thing. He doesn't listen, and being stronger than she, he violates her.
• Then Amnon hates her and sends her away even though she begs him not to. Amnon has his servant put her out of the house, and she puts ashes on her head and tears her virgin's robe. When Absalom sees her, he realizes what has happened and tells her not to take it to heart. Tamar lives, a desolate woman, in Absalom's house.
• David is very angry, and Absalom hates Amnon for what he did.

Absalom Murders Amnon

• Two years later, Absalom has sheepshearers near Ephraim, and invites all the king's sons. Absalom convinces David to allow Amnon to go with him (David would not allow all of them to go), and Absalom then instructs his servants that once Amnon is drunk, they are to kill him. The servants do as instructed.
• Word comes to David that all his sons are dead, and he tears his garments and lies on the ground. David's nephew Jonadab tells him that only Amnon is dead and that Absalom had determined to do this from the time Amnon violated Tamar.

Absalom Flees to Geshur

• Absalom flees to Talmai (his maternal grandfather) King of Geshur and stays there for three years. David's spirit longs to go to Absalom.

Absalom Returns to Jerusalem – 2 Samuel 14

• Joab sends a woman to David with another story (much like Nathan told a story to David). She appeals to David to set aside the usual laws regarding murder due to extenuating circumstances. David questions if Joab is behind this woman's story, and she admits that Joab did this in order to change the course of things.
• David instructs Joab to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem, which he does. David determines that Absalom will live in his own house and not come into his presence.
• Absalom is very handsome, and he has three sons and a daughter (named Tamar, and she is also beautiful).
• Absalom lives in Jerusalem for two years without coming into the king's presence. He summons Joab twice, but he doesn't come. Absalom then has his servants set fire to Joab's field, and Joab comes to him to question him why he did that. Absalom tells him it is because he didn't come when he sent for him, then questions him why he has been summoned to Jerusalem because it would be better for him to still be in Geshur. He tells Joab that he either wants to go into the presence of the king or be put to death. 
• Joab goes to the king with his request, and David summons Absalom. Absalom bows before David, and David kisses him.