V.3 David was constrained by the people not to join them in the campaign.  Had he been there, it is unlikely that Joab would be so bold as to kill Absalom.  I wonder if Joab was instrumental in persuading the people to influence David not to come.  That way he would have a free hand to dispense with Absalom.

18:3  David is now an old man, but he intended to go into battle. This contrasts with his behaviour – 2Sam 11:1 . Given the uprising of Absalom can be seen as a consequence of his sin with Bathsheba we might conclude that we are being told of his willingness to go to battle so that we can see that he is a changed man.

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18:4  In ‘standing by the gate’ David showed his association with the men going to the battle. In like manner, even if we are unable to go out on a particular work we can show our association with that work. We can tell those whoa re involved of our enthusiasm for the activity or try to provide some support work for the task.

V.1 It is not certain how many men David had recruited.  Josephus believes it was 4000.  Others think that it was 10,000, taking a hint from v.3.

V.33 David's mourning for the death of Absalom is quite understandable, as a father.  But, as a king, he should have given the order for Absalom's death earlier, because Absalom was a murderer.  If the murderer had not been his son, David would not have hesitated. 

We recall the swift punishment of the opportunistic Amalekite (2Sam 1:14,15); and the men who murdered Ish-bosheth (2Sam 4:12), for example. 

The lesson for us is that we should not give special treatment to our family members, over others, when a matter of justice is concerned.  Right is right in God's eyes (1Tim 5:21).

18:2-3 When Joab went against Rabbah David stayed at home – 2Sam 11:1- and committed adultery with Bathsheba. Now, even though he is an old man, he does not want to make the same mistake of remaining ‘at home’ but is persuaded of the sense of avoiding becoming involved in the conflict.

V.1 The phrase, numbered the people (KJV) is different from the same phrase, numbered the people (KJV) found in 2Sam 24:10.  Two different Hebrew words are use for numbered.

In this verse, numbered comes from the Hebrew word pakad which means to assemble or muster.  In 2Sam 24:10, the word for numbered is saphar which means to enumerate.

Other versions, like the ESV, make the distinction between the two cases in their translations.

Mustering men for war was acceptable in the sight of Yahweh.  But, counting men (to determine the shape of the army) meant reliance on the flesh, rather than trusting the strength of Yahweh.  This kind of numbering constituted sin.

V.8 Wild beasts could have been a consideration for a scattered army in the woods.

V.9 Absalom had charmed his way into the hearts of men.  But, it was Absalom’s hair, the object of his vanity that became his sudden downfall: Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain… (Prov 31:30, ESV).  Suddenly, Absalom was caught, trapped, and about to pay for his treason (Ecc 9:12).

V.18 Absalom had nobody to carry on his name, and so he made a monument to himself.  He thought, in his conceit, that he could perpetuate himself.  But, traitors are soon forgotten (Prov 10:7).

18:5 David’s charge, which was ignored – 2Sam 18:14 -, was not really sensible advice and showed David still had a soft spot for Absalom.

If Judah had listened to Jeremiah, then a blessing from God would have followed (Jer 22:3,4). Even at this late stage, God was still prepared to forgive, and to remove the punishment.  But if they would not listen, they were made fully aware of the consequences.  God is extremely just.

22:12  The historical record of the death of ‘Shallum’ is found in 2Kin 23:24 . So placing confidence in Egypt was not a good idea!

V.13-19 During the reign of Jehoiakim, covetousness, oppression, and violence were rampant, there was no fear of God. Even the example of a godly father was insufficient to influence him, so we see the sentence that was pronounced upon him in V.19 " He shall be buried with the burial of an ass"

Vs.1-9 The proposition that Yahweh places in front of Zedekiah is reminiscent of the blessings and curses of Deut 28.

Vs.10-12 Josiah, considered a good king, had been killed by Pharaoh Neco. He was succeeded briefly by his son Shallum (Jehoahaz) but then taken captive to Egypt never to return.

Vs.13-19 Shallum's successor to the throne, his older brother Jehoiakim, would be disgraced in death for his ungodly conduct.

Vs.20-30 Jehoiakim's son Jehoiachin (Coniah) would briefly reign before being taken to Babylon, there to die.

22:7 The men with destroying weapons are seen, in vision, by Ezekiel – Eze 9:1-2

22:6  In saying ‘thou are like Gilead to me’ the prophet is saying that God has a high regard to the king – because he is of the line of David. However this high regard is not sufficient of itself for God not to bring His judgements against him. Being a ‘son of God’ does not remove from us the responsibility of obeying His word. If anything it heightens that responsibility.

V.23 This verse refers to the temple, which was made from the cedars of Lebanon.  The irony how gracious thou shalt be (KJV), shows how pitiful the temple (and all Jerusalem) will be in the eyes of the Babylonians.  They will destroy without hesitation or remorse.

22:19 Jehoiakim was taken captive to Babylon. This is detailed in Eze 19:8-9

Vs.6,7 Gilead was renowned for its spices, balm, and myrrh (Gen 37:25).  These were popular products, but they were very expensive.  Balm was worth twice its weight in silver, for example. But, Gilead was also famous for its magnificent oak trees.

Lebanon is the majestic mountain region where the towering cedar trees grew.

Yahweh vowed to cut down Judah and make it desolate, as if He would hew the beautiful stands of trees of Gilead and Lebanon, to create a wilderness. 

Trees, in the Bible, are often symbolic of people (e.g. Judg 9:8; Isa 10:18,19; Rev 8:7).

V.19 The corpse of an ass was usually thrown into a field and left for the wild animals and birds to consume (See Jer 36:30).

V.20 The theme of trees (people) is carried on from vs.6,7. Bashan was noted for its oaks (Isa 2:13).

V.23 Lebanon, here, is a reference to the cedar that was used to build the temple.  Therefore, it is Jerusalem that is the subject of this verse.

V.29 Earth (KJV); land (ESV) is pronounced three times.  The reference is to the three kings Shallum, Jehoiakim, and Jeconiah.

22:8-9 The destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians was not just for the benefit of the children of Israel. Remember they were sent to Babylon for their own sakes – Mic 4:10- but it was so the nations could see that the God of Israel expected obedience to His word.

22:8-9 The destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians was not just for the benefit of the children of Israel. Remember they were sent to Babylon for their own sakes – Mic 4:10 - but it was so the nations could see that the God of Israel expected obedience to His word.

v.33 - As it is written, "Behold, I lay in Sion A STUMBLING STONE AND ROCK OF OFFENCE: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Draws on the following passages: Isaiah 8:14, 28:16 The UPPER CASE text is from Isaiah 8, as the integration below shows.

Romans 9:33 Behold, I lay in Sion
Isaiah 28:16 Behold, I lay in Zion

Romans 9:33 a stumblingstone and rock of offence:
Isaiah 8:14 a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence

Romans 9:33 and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Isaiah 28:16 he that believeth shall not make haste.

Thus we can gain an insight into how two areas of Isaiah speak, prophetically, of the same event. This use in Romans allows us to conclude that the two passages in Isaiah are, indeed, related to each other. This will help us in our studies in Isaiah.

Vs.24-26 The supreme, self-existent God, Yahweh, created all heaven and earth and everything found therein (Psa 104). He does not need anyone's permission to do what He likes with His creation. He can create, destroy, and re-create His living creatures at His convenience and pleasure (Psa 104:29,30; vs.19-21).

Since the fall of Adam, humankind has deserved to die (Rom 5:12). But Yahweh, in His mercy, has invited humans to live. He had Jesus in mind from the beginning.  God's mercy is centered in Jesus (1Pet 1:20).

First, He chose a nation for His inheritance (Deut 7:6; Psa 32:11). Afterwards, His invitation extended to the Gentiles. Yahweh has then called both Jews and Gentiles to life in Jesus. His invitation has gone out to everyone (Mark 13:10).

However, comparatively few have accepted His offer of salvation, most choosing the world's offerings rather than eternal life (Matt 7:13,14).

Let us be glad of our call and endeavor to obey and serve our Savior both now and for ever (2Pet 1:10).

9:27 In quoting Isa 10:22 showing that there will be a remnant or Israel who will be saved Paul shows that God’s fairness requires a response from the individual.

9:12     Whilst we might have thought that the relationship between Jacob and Esau was simply a matter of choice by God actually it highlights a fundamental principle. We must be aware that the things that are written in the Old testament are more than mere history. They outline the mind of our Father.

Vs.18-23 Yahweh chooses and molds whom He will. A like figure was shown to Jeremiah in our recent reading (Jer 18:2-6).

V.5 Trinitarians like to point to this verse as proof that Jesus is God.

We must remember that there is no punctuation in Greek, and so different versions will have different punctuation. Look at the KJV: …the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. And the ESV: …is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. The KJV leaves room to separate Jesus from God, but the ESV does not.

However, the RSV clearly separates Jesus from His Father: To them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh is the Christ. God who is over all be blessed for ever. Amen.

But, no version poses any problem if we understand God-manifestation.

It is clear that the Bible teaches Yahweh is over Christ (1Cor 11:3). Jesus, Himself, states that he cannot act without the power of the Father (John 5:19,30). Jesus has been given all power, but when His role is completed, He (and His immortalized brethren) will yield to Yahweh and He will be manifested in all (1Cor 15:24-28).

In the Old Testament, those acting in the Name of God were called God (called by His Name). For example, the angels who appeared to Abraham were called Yahweh (Gen 18:1,2). And so, it should not be surprising that Jesus, who acted in the Name of His Father, should not be called God. In fact, with that very understanding, Thomas called Him God (John 20:26-28).

And so, if we understand the nature and role of Jesus; His relationship with His Father; the principle of God-manifestation, then we will not be confused with erroneous doctrines such as that of the Trinity.

Vs.15-21 run counter to the Pollyanna attitude that some have about God.  Those who quote God is love (1John 4:8) etc. as proof of an all-accepting God, misunderstand. 

The God of the Bible is not obliged to any man.  Therefore, in the unfolding drama of God's plan, we must count ourselves extremely fortunate that He has called us to salvation.

In God's drama, we are in leading roles while the rest of the world is supporting cast.  We should also count our brethren, who share the same hope, as precious (1Pet 2:3,4).  To all others we preach, not knowing to whom God will extend His grace.

From this chapter, examples of how The Old Testament qualifies the New Testament:

V.25 See Hos 2:23.

V.26 See Hos 1:10.

V.27 See Isa 10:22,23.

V.29 See Isa 1:9.

Who is v22 talking about: "the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction"? One example is in v17 and another in v13.

Notice also how Paul continues to pray for them as long as there is hope (10:1)