2 Samuel 15:24

2 Samuel 15:24 says, And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.  When David fled from Absalom, Zadok and the Levites brought the Ark of the Covenant with them.  This had represented God's presence with them, and they wanted it on their side.  As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit with us at all times and don't need a material reminder that He is with us.  Verse twenty-five adds, And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:  David told Zadok to return the Ark of God to the city, and if God showed him favor, he would return to see it there.  As followers of Christ, God has already shown us favor by granting us salvation, and even if the world destroys us, we will one day be called home to be with Him forever.  Verse twenty-six continues, But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.  David then said that if God had no delight in him, then let God do unto him as He saw fit.  As Christians, in any situation that we find ourselves in, we should simply turn the outcome over to God.  Verse twenty-seven states, The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.  David then asked Zadok if he were not a seer, or wiseman Matthew Henry says, and told him to return to the city with his two sons.  We as followers of Christ should have the wisdom of God to guide us.  Verse twenty-eight adds, See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.  David said that he would remain in the plain of the wilderness until he received word from Zadok that it was time to return.  We as followers of Christ should remain where God leads us in times of danger until He tells us it is safe to return to where we were.  If that never happens, we should just remain faithful to Him wherever He has led us until He calls us home to heaven.  Verse twenty-nine continues, Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.  Zadok and Abiathar carried the Ark back to Jerusalem and stayed there.  We as Christians on the other hand have the Holy Spirit with us to empower us wherever we go and we  should share the gospel everywhere we are led.  Verse thirty says, And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.  David went up on the Mount of Olivet in humility and weeping and the people with him went up also.  If we find ourselves in a bad situation today, we should humbly turn to God and seek His direction.  Verse thirty-one adds, And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.  Someone told David that Ahithophel was aligned with Absalom and he prayed that Ahithophel's plans would be turned to foolishness.  We can be sure that no matter how brilliant we may be that our plans if they are not in accordance with God's will are always going to amount to foolishness.   Verse thirty-two continues, And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:  While David was on the top of the mountain, Hushai came to him in an attitude of mourning.  Matthew Henry says that while David was humbly worshipping that God sent to him the person that would be able to help him.  God will often send just the right person to us to help us in our time of trouble, but even if He doesn't, we still have the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us if we will only turn to Him.  Verse thirty-three states, Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:   David told Hushai that if he continued to follow after David that he would be a burden to him.  Though we should support our fellow believers in times of trouble, we should never become a burden to them.  Verse thirty-four adds, But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.  David told Hushai that if he returned to Jerusalem and claimed to be loyal to Absalom that he could work against the council of Ahithophel.  Sometimes we may be better able to serve God from in the midst of our enemies.  Verse thirty-five continues, And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.  David told Hushai that he could gather intelligence about Absalom and send word to him by Zadok and Abiathar.  We as Christians should always work together to bring about God's will.  Verse thirty-six states, Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.  David told Hushai that Zadok and Abiathar had their two sons with them who could bring David word of what Absalom was doing.  Verse thirty-seven adds, So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.  Hushai returned to Jerusalem and Absalom got there also.  Hushai could have been putting himself in danger, but as a friend of David's he was willing to do what David asked him to do.  We as Christians should be willing to stand by our friends in times of trouble and help them if possible, even if this puts us in a dangerous situation.   

2 Samuel 15:13

2 Samuel 15:13 says, And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. David received word that the people of Isreal were beginning to devotedly follow Absalom instead of David.  As Christians, we can never begin to follow anyone but Jesus Christ if we are to be spiritually successful today.  Verse fourteen adds, And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.  David told all his servants that they and he himself must quickly flee the city of Jerusalem so that Absalom would not kill them and destroy the city if necessary in order to do so.  David had allowed Absalom to make himself more powerful and popular and now he was paying the price.  If we allow sinful situations to go unchecked, we may one day pay the price.  Verse fifteen continues, And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.  At least David’s closest servants remained loyal to him.  This would put them in danger.  Our true fellow believers should remain faithful to us if we are following God, even if that puts them in a bad situation and we should do the same with them.  Verse sixteen states, And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.  David left with everyone except ten concubines who were left to take care of the house.  David evidently had more concern about his house than he did about these ten.  Having several wives and concubines was never God's plan, and I believe that it led David to being indifferent about many of them.  They simply became like another possession, and if we begin to do things that go against God's will, other people can become of little concern to us.  Verse seventeen adds, And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. David and those with him went to a place far off and remained there.  David had faced the giant Goliath and defeated him and had been successful in all his wars when he was following God's guidance, but I believe that he had allowed his relationship with God to stagnate.   By faith, we may have been successful in the past, but if we allow our faith to become stagnant, we may find ourselves in danger spiritually and maybe physically as well.  Verse eighteen continues, And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.  David had six-hundred men with him, so he wasn't totally alone.  We may not know them, but we can be certain that God has other believers doing His work today, so we should never feel like we alone are following Him.  Verse nineteen says, Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.  Ittai, a Gittite was with David and his group, and David asked him why he was there, since he was a stranger and an exile.  David then told him to return home.  Matthew Henry says the six-hundred men were with Ittai, and they were likely Philistines who had become loyal to David.  We should never reject the help of others simply because of who they are by nationality or race.  We once were all strangers to God's kingdom.  Verse twenty adds, Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.  David basically said that he didn't want to put Ittai and his followers in danger, especially since he didn't know what was going to happen to him.  David told Ittai to go in the mercy and truth of God.  We as followers of Christ need to help new Christians and do our best to not put them in harm's way, but we also need to acknowledge that they should stand with us in fighting evil in the world.  Verse twenty-one states, And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.  Ittai acknowledged his faith in God and David as his king and said that he would stay with him in life or death.  Once we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we should be ready to stand with Him in the battle against evil in the world today, even if it costs us our life.  Verse twenty-two adds, And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.  David then told Ittai to come with them.  We need all the help from our spiritual brothers and sisters that we can get.  Of course, whatever we are facing, we should look to God for direction and strength first.  Verse twenty-three continues, And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. David and all those with him wept for the country as they passed over the brook of Kidron into the wilderness.  If we do not continually look to God for guidance, which I don't believe that David had been doing leading up to this situation, we may find ourselves wandering in the wilderness again.  This does not mean that we lose our salvation, but we may lose our purpose and direction as Christians.  David had been content, allowing Absalom to do whatever he chose to do, and now he was suffering the consequences.  If we lose sight of God's direction today, we may end up suffering spiritual and even physical consequences. 

2 Samuel 15:7

 2 Samuel 15:7 says, And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.  Matthew Henry says the forty years does not give a reference date as to when this began, but he believed it was forty years after the people of Israel demanded a king.  We do know that Absalom had been plotting his rebellion for some time.  Sometimes, those who would destroy God's people may have been plotting to do so for years, and we may never know when they began to do so.  Absalom was now ready to put his plan in action, so he asked David for permission to go to Hebron.  This was where he was born and where David began his rule.  Verse eight adds, For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.  Absalom then made it sound like he wanted to do this because of a vow that he made to God when he was in exile.  David would be less likely to refuse to allow Absalom to go if he was doing it because of a vow to God.  People today still attempt to use God's word and their obedience to it, even when it goes against what His word really says, to attempt to justify their actions.  Verse nine continues, And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.  David told Absalom to go in peace, or with his blessing.  Many times, David did not seem to be too attuned to what was going on in his family, and we as Christians can become the same way.  We can listen more to what our children are telling us instead of watching their actions.  Verse ten states, But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.  Absalom sent spies throughout Israel to tell the people that as soon as they heard the trumpet, they were to declare him as ruler in Hebron.  We cannot declare those who are plotting against the government or God to be rulers today.  Even if those in power are going against God's commandments, I believe our responsibility is to refuse to obey what they say more than it is to attempt to overthrow the government.  Verse eleven adds, And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.  Absalom had two hundred men who went with him, but they didn't know anything about his plan.  Hopefully, we will never get caught up in some sinful plot today without realizing what is happening.  Verse twelve continues, And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counseller, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.  Absalom then sent for David’s counseller who was in Giloh.  Matthew Henry says that evidently Ahithophel and David had a falling out, so he would have been an ideal candidate to help Absalom.  Even if we do have a disagreement with our fellow Christians, we should never join forces with people of the world who are out to destroy God's rule. 

2 Samuel 15:1

2 Samuel 15:1 says, And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.  As Absalom began to be more praised by the people, he began to assert his power more.  Matthew Henry says that Absalom was not humbled by all his troubles, but became proud and impatient to inherit the throne now instead of waiting until David died.  Unrepentant sin may led us to even bolder sins if we become proud because of them.  Verse two adds, And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servasnt is of one of the tribes of Israel.  Absalom began to get up early and sit before the gate where people came for judgment from the king.  He was in effect replacing David, the king and his father.  Anytime we begin to make judgments instead of allowing God through the leadership of the Holy Spirit to do so and elevate ourselves as the authority instead, we are guilty of attempting to replace the King, God Himself, Who is our Father if we are followers of Christ.  Verse three continues, And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.  Absalom then told the person with a problem that he was right in his concern, but that David had appointed no one to hear his case.  He made this claim to make David look bad and himself to look good, since he was there and David wasn't.  Even if David had people to hear the cases of the people, Absalom had put himself between them and David.  People who are engaged in sinful actions today will often attempt to declare themselves as the only one capable of dealing with the problems of the people and do their best to come between God and that person.  We need to look to God for answers and not to any one person, especially if they declare themselves to be the only one who can deal with the problems of life.  Verse four states, And Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!   Absalom then began to promote the idea that he could judge in these situations if he were given authority to do so.  I sometimes wonder where David was during a lot of the times when this type behavior was going on.  God, like David, may allow a lot of ungodly things to go on, and at times we may wonder where He is if they do, but like David was the earthly king then, God always was and always will be the true heavenly King.  Verse five adds, And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.  Absalom began to make himself look like he should be the authority over the people.  He basically agreed with their cause no matter what it might be to make them see him as the only one to care and answer their problems.  We need to beware of anyone who professes to be the only one capable of dealing with life's problems, especially if they do so without looking to God for the answers and giving Him the glory.  Verse six continues, And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.  Absalom inserted himself between the people of Israel and David and began to win the hearts of the people, though he was really only concerned with himself and his glory.  Again, we need to beware of those who seek self-glorification above everything else.  They may often promote themselves as serving the people they wish to rule over while really only wanting what will bring them praise and enrich them.

2 Samuel 14:22

2 Samuel 14:22 says, And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.  When David told Joab to send for Absalom, he fell down before David and said that he was certain that he had found grace in David’s sight.  When God grants our call for restoration, which is only possible through accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, then we need to fall before Him in worship.  Verse thirty-three adds, So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.  Joab went to get Absalom and brought him home.  We need to do all that we can to bring sinners to Jesus and home to God if they accept Him as their Savior.  Verse twenty-four continues, And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face.  David said Absalom was to return to his own house and stay out of David's sight, which would imply that David had not totally forgiven him.  We can be certain that when we are called to God through faith in Jesus Christ that we are totally forgiven, and our fellow Christians should forgive us totally as well.  Verse twenty-five states, But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.  The people of Israel praised Absalom for his good looks above all others.  They were more interested in outward appearance than inward goodness.  As Christians, we cannot judge people or even material things by how appealing they may look.  Verse twenty-six adds, And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year’s end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king’s weight.  Evidently, every year Absalom weighed his hair, and it was quiet heavy at three pounds and two ounces according to Matthew Henry.  Whatever the weight, his hair was a source of great pride to Absalom.  We should never become vain about any of our good features.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.  Absalom had three sons and one daughter that he named Tamar, possibly to honor his sister, though we aren't really told this.  Verse twenty-eight states, So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face.  Absalom was in Jerusalem for two years without seeing David face-to-face.  We cannot avoid being in the presence of God, but until we see Him face-to-face through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ we cannot be saved.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.  Absalom sent for Joab twice to have him go to David for him, but Joab wouldn't come.  Joab had made it possible for Absalom to return home, but Matthew Henry says that Absalom had evidently never thanked Joab for what he did.  Though we as followers of Christ should always just do what God leads us to do without any thoughts of reward, we too often become upset if people do not acknowledge what we have done.  Verse thirty declares, Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.  Absalom had his servants set Joab's field of barley on fire since Joab would not come to him.  This tells us a lot about Absalom’s character.  The way we treat those we are upset with tells the world a lot about our character.  Verse thirty-one adds, Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?  This brought Joab to Absalom, to ask him why he had set his field on fire, especially after all that Joab had done for him.  If we have a problem with someone today, it is best to go and talk to them.  Verse thirty-two continues, And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.  Instead of thanking Joab for his being allowed to return home, Absalom said he had sent for Joab twice and he wouldn't come and implied this was the reason he set Joab's field on fire.  He then said that he wanted to send Joab to David to tell him that it would have been better for David to have killed him than for him to return home and not be able to see David face-to-face.  There is still nothing about Absalom repenting for his killing of Amnon.  We cannot expect to see God face-to-face without repenting and having our sins forgiven by accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-three concludes, So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.  Joab gave in to Absalom and went to David with his message.  David then sent for Absalom, who bowed before him, and David restored him.  I don't believe that Absalom was sincere in his humbling himself before David, and if we simply go through the motions of asking forgiveness of God without really putting our faith in Him, we will not be saved.

2 Samuel 14:11

2 Samuel 14:11 says, Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.  The woman then asked David to remember the LORD and not allow those who would avenge the death of her one son to kill her other son who had killed him.  Since this story was made up that wasn't going to happen anyway, but she needed David’s assurance before he checked the situation out.  As stated before, we should never make decisions without knowing all the facts.  David promised her no harm would come to her son.  Verse twelve adds, Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.  The woman then asked David for permission to say one more thing to him, even though he had given her what she supposedly wanted, and he granted granted her permission.  Verse thirteen continues, And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.  She asked David how he could grant her request while his son Absalom was banished.  She said his reasoning was faulty in doing so.  If we are willing to forgive others no matter what they have done, which is the way that God forgives, but will not forgive our own family members for whatever they may have done, then our reasoning is faulty.  Verse fourteen states, For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.  She told David that everyone would die and be like water spilled on the ground but that God did not respect people, or value one over the other and that He made it possible for all the banished to return to Him.  This restoration is still available to all who will accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.  The woman was telling David that if he spared her son and not Absalom that he was showing favoritism to her son, even though he really didn't exist.  We as Christians cannot show favoritism in forgiveness.   Verse fifteen adds, Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.  The woman said she made her request because of fear of what people would do to her son.  Verse sixteen adds, For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.  She added that she made her appeal because she knew David had the power to deliver her.  We can only appeal to God for deliverance from the penalty of sin, because He is the only One Who can give it.  Verse eighteen concludes, Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.  The woman said that God would give David the ability to discern the truth of the situation, and He will still do so today.  Verse eighteen says, Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.  David then told the woman to answer his question truthfully.  All we can ask from people today is that they speak truthfully with us.  Verse nineteen adds, And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:   David asked the woman if Joab was responsible for her coming to him with her story, so it would seem that the Spirit of discernment was with David.  The Holy Spirit will give us the ability to discern the truth if we rely on Him.  The woman admitted that Joab had sent her and told her what to say, even though that could have put her in danger with David.  Even if it may put us in danger, we must always tell the truth.  Even though she hadn't been truthful so far, the woman now told the truth.  Verse twenty continues, To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.  She then said that David had shown wisdom in his answer to her supposed problem and that he needed to apply it to his situation with Absalom.  We cannot apply one standard of forgiveness to one person and a different standard to others.  Like God, we should not show partiality to people.  Verse twenty-one concludes, And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.  David told Joab to go and bring Absalom home.  We need to forgive others if they have harmed us in some way, and do our best to bring them home to God. 

2 Samuel 14:1

2 Samuel 14:1 says, Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.  Joab perceived that David’s heart was toward Absalom, or that he was mourning Absalom’s absence.  Even though Absalom had killed one of David's other sons, David was not seeking his destruction but his restoration.  We as sinners, in order to have a restoration with God are guilty of the necessity of Jesus dying on the cross, but God still seeks our restoration to Him and not our destruction.  Verse two adds, And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:  Joab sought out a wise woman to engage in a bit of role playing. She was to dress as a long time mourner.  Matthew Henry says that Joab was attempting to make himself look good to both David and Absalom and might have also been acting from the knowledge that he himself had killed someone to avenge a wrong.  Still, we can never justify the actions of others because we are guilty of sin ourselves.  Verse three continues, And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.  Joab told the woman to come to David and even then told her what she was to say.  People may engage in plots to deceive Christians today, sometimes even believing it is for our own good, but we should never be a part of such deception.  Verse four states, And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.  The woman fell on her face before David and begged for his help.  She was just playing a part, but she was evidently good at it.  Some people today are just playing a part when thay profess to be Christians, and some are very good at it.  Verse five adds, And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.  When David asked her what was causing her so much grief, she said she was aw widow woman.  We need to remember that widows in that day had very little help from others but were dependent on their family for help.  Verse six continues, And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.  She said she had two sons and that in a fight, one son killed the other.  This was all a story that Joab had made up and it was the same as what Absalom had done to his brother.  I don't believe Joab was concerned about what God might think of his actions, and sometimes today Christians often act without asking for God's guidance.  Verse seven concludes, And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.  The woman then claimed that the whole family had risen against her demanding that she deliver her remaining son so that he could be put to death for killing his brother, which would have left her with no heir nor anyone to care for her.  We should be careful about demanding justice for others while seeking mercy for ourselves.  Verse eight says, And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.  David told her to go home and he would consider her the situation.  He may have wanted time to verify what was happening and this would not be a good thing for her.  We should be wary of people who want us to act without first verifying the situation.  Verse nine adds, And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.  The woman asked David for immediate help and said if things did not turn out to be as she said that she would bear the burden of the iniquity.  Of course, since the whole story was made up, she would already bear the iniquity of the situation, but she could not bear David’s iniquity if he acted wrongly.  Even if they promise to, no one else can ever accept the responsibility for our iniquities, except Jesus Christ Who paid the price for all sins forever.  Of course, we must accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord for His gift of salvation to apply to us.  Verse ten continues, And the king said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.  David then made a decision to grant her wish.  As king, this could set a precedence.  What we do as Christians could be used by the world to either justify or condemn actions whether they are consistent with God's will and law or not.