Lesson 14
Yahweh-Raah – The Lord My Shepherd (2 Samuel 18:33; Psalm 23:1)
 “When We Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death” (Psalm 23:4)
Read 2 Samuel 16:15 – 17:29; 18:1 – 19:4 www.bible.com/bible/59/2sa.16.esv

Absalom and all his men took over Jerusalem, and Ahithophel, David’s former trusted advisor, was with them, now loyal to Absalom. Hushai, the spy from David’s camp, pretended to pledge allegiance to Absalom.

Absalom asked Ahithophel what he should do. Ahithophel advised Absalom to take some of his best fighting men and go after David that night when he was very tired and take him by surprise. Absalom should have only his father killed and then take David’s entire army for his own. Absalom and all the elders thought this was excellent advice, but Absalom wanted to hear what Hushai had to say, also.

Hushai did not think Ahithophel’s counsel was good. Hushai advised Absalom to muster the whole country into a huge army and kill David and all his men.

Everyone agreed Hushai’s counsel was better than Ahithophel’s. God answered David’s prayer to El Roi, the God Who Sees; El Roi turned Ahithophel’s advice into foolishness using Hushai, the spy from David’s camp.

Hushai told the priests to send word to David to immediately cross the river, or everyone would be killed. David and his army crossed the Jordan to safety that night.

King David’s army didn’t want him to come along for the battle, because he was worth ten thousand soldiers. The king ordered his three captains to deal gently with his son Absalom; the whole army heard him say this.

David’s army met Israel’s (Absalom’s) army in the forest. There was a terrible slaughter of the army of Israel. Absalom was out in front of the battle riding a mule, and the mule ran under a huge oak tree. Absalom’s thick hair got caught in the branches and the mule ran out from under him, so Absalom was left dangling in the tree. A soldier who saw him hanging there helplessly told Joab.

Joab grabbed knives and stabbed Absalom in the heart, and Joab’s armor bearers finished the job. Joab blew the ram’s horn trumpet, signaling David’s army to stop pursuing the army of Israel. They buried Absalom in a huge pit in the forest, and piled a mound of rocks over him. The whole Israeli army ran away when they heard Absalom was dead.

When David received news that his son was dead, he couldn’t believe it. Heartbroken, he held his face in his hands, and wept. The king needed to turn to Yahweh-Raah, his Lord and Shepherd, for comfort in his grief.
 
Apply God’s Word to your life:
*When we walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, our Shepherd carries us gently in His strong arms.
*When is the last time you walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death?
*How has God comforted you during these difficult times of grief and loss?