David's Jack Bauer

2 Samuel 18:10-16
(10) And a certain man saw it and told Joab, "Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak."
(11) Joab said to the man who told him, "What, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have been glad to give you ten pieces of silver and a belt."
(12) But the man said to Joab, "Even if I felt in my hand the weight of a thousand pieces of silver, I would not reach out my hand against the king's son, for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, 'For my sake protect the young man Absalom.'
(13) On the other hand, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof."
(14) Joab said, "I will not waste time like this with you." And he took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak.
(15) And ten young men, Joab's armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him and killed him.
(16) Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the troops came back from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained them.

I only watched one season of 24, but that was enough to understand how Jack Bauer works. Jack Bauer only asks a question politely once. The second time is often accompanied with a .50 cal slug in your thigh. He doesn't have time for niceties. He is all business and the mission governs all that he does.

Joab seems to have some of that. He frequently ignored the command of the king because he knew what was really necessary. In fact, as David mourns Absalom later Joab rebukes him:

2 Samuel 19:5-7
(5) Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, "You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines,
(6) because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased.
(7) Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the LORD, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now."

The thing I've noticed throughout the narrative is that Joab often has a good point. What I wonder is the value of having a Joab in an organization. I work at a bank and we have to play by the rules. We have internal reasons for this as well as laws that dictate how we operate. Yet sometimes we need a Joab to break through all of the red tape and just get stuff done.

Where do you fall on this? I am not a Joab by nature, but I can be when it is necessary. Personally, I like to play by the rules. I think this is also why I am not cut out to be a church planter.

Biblical Parenting

2 Samuel 13:21-22
(21) When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
(22) But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar.

These verses happen right after the account of Amnon raping Tamar. I think we tend to idealize David a little bit. After all, we know that he was a man after God's own heart, right? Nevertheless, his family was a wreck. Here we see that one of his sons raped one of his daughters. This made him angry, but he didn't do anything about it. Absalom eventually settled the matter and even then it took years for David and Absalom to reconcile. Shortly after the reconciliation Absalom plotted to usurp David's throne.

Our church is going multi-site and I met with our new campus pastor yesterday. One point I made is that I do not want my son to someday have a parole officer who calls him a "PK" (pastor's kid). He knew just what I meant. David serves as an example to me of how not to parent. I'm not sure what he was doing with his time, but it wasn't spent raising His kids according to Deuteronomy 6.

Men, do not take the way of passivity like David. You will either have to deal with problems now or later. Although it may seem tough, dealing with them sooner will be easier than dealing with them later. I've done it both ways and I can attest to this. Frankly, this is a reminder for me as well.

Parable Analysis

I published my analysis of the Parable of the Unjust (dishonest) Steward (manager) here. I haven't got a grade on it yet, so you can determine the quality for yourself.

Win a Free Calfskin ESV

A blog called Boomer in the Pew is giving away a free ESV Study Bible with a calfskin cover. Check out this entry for more information.

Working with Evil

2 Samuel 5:1-3
(1) Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh.
(2) In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'"
(3) So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.

This comes right after two men killed one of Saul's heirs. They thought they were doing David a favor, but David had them both executed. However, I notice that he still took over Israel. Frankly, I don't think that there was anyone else known to take it over except Mephibosheth, who was unknown and lame as well.

I don't think there is anything particularly profound about this story other than it struck me how David still took over Israel despite the circumstances. He couldn't very well give it back to anyone, so it was his for the taking. Plus, the people wanted him to be the king. What's even more important is that God wanted for him to be the king.

It seems like there is much that could be written about God's sovereignty here. It also seems that there is much to think about regarding how we react when something evil happens. David seems to take the pragmatic approach here. I'm not sure if that is prescriptive or descriptive.

I'd appreciate any comments anyone would like to offer.