Author: John Tillman

Links for today’s readings:

Read: 2  Samuel 18 Listen: (6:16)  Read: Psalms 7-8 Listen: (2:58)

Scripture Focus: 2 Samuel 18.14

14 Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this for you.” So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree.

Reflection: Dealing With Joab

By John Tillman

Joab stuck out his neck for Absalom. But when he betrayed David, Joab, the man who showed Absalom mercy, mercilessly slaughtered him as he hung helplessly in the tree.

Joab then berated David as he wept, “O my son Absalom!…If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son!” Joab got David up from his grief and out to do the necessary hand shaking to keep his army together.

When I was a younger man, I admired Joab because I thought he saved David. I was wrong.

I saw Joab as a realist—a practical, get-stuff-done kind of guy. He did hard things that David “wimped out” on. I used to think that every moral leader needed a slightly-less-moral “helper” such as Joab. How wrong-headed this thinking is! Joab’s kind of loyalty is a twisted form of “honor” that cripples accountability, truth, and justice.

After seeing Joab-like men destroying the reputation of Christ on behalf of institutions and individuals, I recognize him for the danger that he is. As I look more clearly at Joab I realized that he didn’t revere God. He revered David.

Many leaders employ (or attract) worshipful hatchet-men like Joab. Joab enforces loyalty. Joab deletes evidence. Joab fires troublemakers. Joab threatens witnesses. Ministries have been ruined from behind the scenes because of the machinations of a “Joab.”

If you are a leader, you may attract a Joab. Beware. One of David’s greatest failings as a leader might be failing to deal with Joab. Be ready to deal with yours.

A Joab will seem loyal and talk about honor. Be careful. Joab’s loyalty is only to earthly power structures that he is part of and his honor is only for those enabling him.

It is important that we do not admire Joab.

It is important that we disarm and disavow him.

But it is more important that we do not become him.

Learn to spot Joab in others or yourself. Joab is loyal to a “king” rather than God. Usually this is a leader, like a pastor, but sometimes an institution, like a ministry or church. Joab is more concerned about protecting the king than about truth or justice. Joab is more concerned about the king’s reputation than righteousness. Joab is concerned about vengeance on enemies rather than justice for victims. Joab is marked by practical, not spiritual thinking.

Don’t become or empower Joab.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my good above all other.” — Psalm 16.1

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

Listen to: Dealing with Joab

Listen to an earlier version of this post on our podcast, “Pause to Read.” When I was a younger man, I admired Joab…I was wrong.

Read more: The Moon and the Cross

At the center of this psalm, we see the power that defeats evil. It is not the command of a king or the sword of a warrior but the praise of infants.

The Moon and the Cross

Links for today’s readings:

Read: 2  Samuel 15 Listen: (6:06)  Read: Psalms 1-2 Listen: (2:05)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Read: 2  Samuel 16 Listen: (4:03)  Read: Psalms 3-4 Listen: (1:57)
Read: 2  Samuel 17 Listen: (5:00)  Read: Psalms 5-6 Listen: (2:45)

Scripture Focus: 2 Samuel 15.2-6

2 He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, “What town are you from?” He would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.” 4 And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.” 5 Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

Reflection: Absalom’s Guide to Stealing Hearts

By John Tillman

Absalom stole the people’s hearts. Then he stole the kingdom. How did a vigilante, fratricidal assassin go from outcast to hero to insurrectionist?

Absalom set out to rebuild his reputation, destroy David’s reputation, and overthrow the kingdom. There are, have been, and will be, many leaders of Absalom’s type. Absalom was an anti-David. We need to detect and avoid anti-Christs.

Of course, we should avoid being duped by them, if possible. (Matthew 24.24) But we also must not become like them. Let us reflect on Absalom’s methods, so we can resist employing them ourselves and resist losing our hearts to Absalom-like leaders.

First, Absalom portrayed himself like a king. His extravagant entourage of chariot, horses, and attendants was flashy and projected power. His glamorous appearance, including an impressive head of hair that would figure in his later downfall, wowed everyone.

Second, Absalom feigned humility. Absalom didn’t introduce himself with, “I’m Prince Absalom, newly reconciled to my father, King David.” Instead, he said, “Your servant is from one of the tribes in Israel.” This was disingenuous condescension for a man with a royal chariot. Absalom also dramatically refused to allow people to bow to him. Instead, he grabbed them by the hand pulling them in for an embrace and kiss.

Third, Absalom magnified people’s frustrations and fears. Absalom undermined confidence by highlighting the shortcomings and inefficiencies of David’s rule. He implied that David was not providing justice.

Fourth, Absalom implied only he could fix it. Monarchy was relatively new in Israel. Absalom harkened back to former times when judges administered justice and implied only he was fit to fill that role.

We might rarely meet a full, four-point Absalom, but any one of these qualities is a warning sign—a red flag. The more flags, the more danger.

Reflecting on Absalom’s guide to stealing hearts, it’s tempting to point outward. Like all biblical lessons, we must remove the logs from our own eyes first. Once we can see clearly, we can turn to help others.

Let us look inward. Watch carefully for these Absalom-like indicators in yourself. Firstly, do you use them? Secondly, are you susceptible to others using them?

We can’t be people of hope and faith while simultaneously being people of suspicion who never trust anything or anyone. We have to be wise as serpents without being snake-like and innocent as doves without being gullible. (Matthew 10.16)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Our sins are stronger than we are, but you will blot them out. — Psalm 65.3

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

Read more: Beware Opportunistic Power Brokers

Many, like Abner, attempt to align themselves with God’s kingdom for the sake of their own grievances, whether personal or political.

Beware Opportunistic Power Brokers

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Links for today’s readings:

Read:  2  Samuel 12 Listen: (5:25)   Read:  Revelation 20 Listen: (2:49)

Scripture Focus: 2 Samuel 12:7

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!”

Reflection: You Are The Man

By John Tillman

You are the man!

In many fields, such as athletic, musical, or business performance, “You are the man!” is a declaration of affirmation. It means, “You are the best! You are the G.O.A.T! You are the expert! You are an idol of what we admire!”

In a court room, “You are the man,” is an accusation. It says, “You committed this crime! You harmed this person! You are guilty!” Nathan the prophet was, in all likelihood, the first person to say, “You are the man” and he meant it in the moral, legal, accusatory sense. It was the climax of a dangerous confrontation between a ruler-gone-wrong and a truth-speaking prophet. David was the man who committed an evil act. Nathan put his life on the line for the truth.

Nathan was a close associate and friend to David—a supporter and confidant. He was predisposed to believe David was a good person and that God was with him. Just a few chapters earlier, when David mentioned building a temple for the Lord, Nathan gave David a blanket affirmation without even consulting God. “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.” (2 Samuel 7.1-3)

However, after hearing from God, Nathan had to return to David to walk back his statement. “Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?” (2 Samuel 7.5) That must have been a difficult message to deliver, but it isn’t until chapter twelve that we see Nathan’s finest hour. It’s easy to be like chapter seven Nathan, but few are willing to be chapter twelve Nathan.

It is important for us to remember that Nathan’s greatest prophetic moment was not speaking truth to powerful foes but to a powerful friend. Too often we reserve “You are the man” for enemies and “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it.” for allies. We place politics above prophetic responsibility.

Everyone challenges their opponents to change. Followers of Christ are called to challenge the communities and individuals we are closest to. (Matthew 10.34-38) Our purpose is not retribution or rejection, but redemption and reconciliation. When we confront others, we must let our tone reflect the ministry of reconciliation that we have been given. (2 Corinthians 5.18-19)

Saying, “You are the man,” is part of our prophetic responsibility to friends and foes. But even as it accuses, it must simultaneously invite them back into community.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

I will bear witness that the Lord is righteous; I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High. — Psalm 7.18

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

Read more: Prophets Like Moses

Prophetic messages are often uncomfortable or inconvenient. Resist the urge to grumble against them as the people grumbled against Moses.

Prophets Like Moses

Read more: Prophetic Check Up

Abraham, Aaron, and Miriam leave a prophetic legacy for every man and woman in Christ. Pick up their mantle.

Prophetic Check Up

Links for today’s readings:

Read:  2  Samuel 11 Listen: (4:25)   Read: Revelation 19 Listen: (3:47)

Scripture Focus: 2 Samuel 11.24-25

24 Then the archers shot arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s men died. Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.” 25 David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.”

Genesis 4.7b

“…sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Reflection: The Sword Also Devours Its Wielders

By John Tillman

David comforts Joab by saying, “the sword devours one as well as another,” but this wasn’t really comfort—it was a cover-up. The sword was in David’s hand as he said it. Worse than that, the sword was in David’s soul. Before the sword’s edge spills the blood of its victims, it devours the heart of its wielders.

This passage is an excellent example of how violence in the Bible is personified as “the sword” regardless of how someone dies. (Uriah died from a hail of arrows, not a sword.) In the Bible, the sword is not a passive tool but an active, hungry predator—it devours.

Violence is a restless evil. Like the sin that “crouched” at Cain’s door, violence leaps into our souls. It’s possible to say that the sword of violence “devoured” Abel and Uriah, but first it devoured Cain and David.

Uriah was one of David’s inner circle of mighty warriors. (1 Chronicles 11.11-47) David assassinated an ally to cover up his private sin. Cain murdered his brother. There is no level of loyalty or love that can’t be breached by the sin of violence.

The sword represents the spirit of violence and is devouring our culture today. As it stalked Cain and David, it crouches at our doors and devours many victims. Some claim this moment, when assassinations and violent attacks top the news cycle, is unique. It is not. The sword has never rested and everything happening now has happened before.

Some claim that only one particular group has become servants of the sword of violence. This is an illusion. David was unintentionally prophetic when he said, “the sword devours one as well as another.” If we think we, or our allies, are immune or innocent, we are fooling ourselves and twice as vulnerable for our hubris. If Cain and David were devoured, we can be as well.

Devote yourself to intense prayer and examination of your heart for signs of the spirit of the sword. Do you celebrate violence? Do you ignore or excuse some sources of violence and rail against others? Do you defend violent or threatening rhetoric? Keep each other accountable. Warn brothers and sisters against the spirit of violence and the sword.

If the spirit of violence breaches your heart, its sword will find its way to your lips, then your hand. It desires to have us, but we must rule over it. (Genesis 4.7)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations and his wonders among all peoples. — Psalm 96.2-3

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

Read more: A Sword Unsheathed

Many invoke apocalyptic passages to inspire or justify violence against “God’s enemies” as they define them. This is a misuse of scripture.

A Sword Unsheathed

Read more: Of Pride and The Sword

In scripture the sword is not inanimate. The sword is hungry, with an appetite to devour individuals, races, nations, kings, and empires.

Of Pride and The Sword