What’s Your Angle?

2 Samuel 13

Clell Smyth

1 November 2015

Through this chapter we see 5 people acting, but why are they doing what they are doing? What is their angle to approaching the situation?

1. Amnon’s Angle – Overwhelming Desire
   • Amnon’s Story
     1. He was King David’s first son
     2. He was a man who took bad advice from Jonadab
     3. All his actions were to bring himself pleasure and no one else
     4. His overwhelming love for Tamar, was not a true love – it turned to an overwhelming hatred after he defiled her
   • How can we not be like Amnon? Control you desires. Keep them in check so you do not become controlled by those desires.
2. Jonadab’s Angle – Seeking His Own Glory
   • Jonadab’s Story
     1. He was the son of King David’s brother
     2. He was crafty and enticed others into evil
     3. He was self possessed and encouraged Amnon
     4. He was motivated by whatever increased his likelihood of power and fame
   • How can we not be like Jonadab? Remember that evil company corups good habits. Are you focused on doing what is wrong or is your heart motivated by what is holy and good? Keep your heart and you head in the Word of God to preserve your heart and drive it towards what is good. Ask yourself if you are a “friend” like Jonadab or are you a friend of encouragement towards what is Godly?
3. Absolam’s Angle – Revenge and The Thrown
   • Absolam’s Story
     1. He is only described in the Bible as a man of physical attractiveness – he never is spoken of as a man of chacter.
     2. He knew about Amnon’s desires (2 Samuel 13:20)
     3. He killed his brother and then ran out of town
     4. When he returns after being gone for 2 years he tries to steal the heart of the people from King David so that he could get the thrown
   • How can we not be like Absolam? Kill resentment and anger or it will kill you. Ask yourself that if you are vying to be the best, to be at the top, are you doing it for your or God’s glory?
4. Joab’s Angle – Power
   • Joab’s Story
     1. Joab was able to convince Absolam to return (2 Samuel 13:14) so that when Absolam became king he would remember that Joab had a hand in bringing him back
     2. He has a lot of blood on his hands – he has killed many
     3. He does desire what God wills, but he also does evil
   • How can we not be like Joab? Check your heart, do you desire what God wills for His glory or for your power? Ask yourself if you are a loyal friend or are you like Joab and only about yourself and what the friendship will get you?
5. David’s Angle – God’s Glory
   • David’s Story
     1. He did not seek out his own glory
     2. He was confident God could work through him
     3. For the first 50 years of his life he was driven by glorifying God, but then the last 20 years of his life were ones of confliction
     4. As we see in 2 Samuel 13:20-22 he was angry about the evil of what Absalom did, but he did nothing – he became a man driven by his own earthly love
   • How can we not be like David? He was a lenient father and did not discipline his children and as a result three of his children died. If you fear that because of previous wrong doings or because of your sin you cannot expect your children to strive for goodness, you are ill advised. Continue to encourage your children to what is good – administer justice rightly. As David did, have a heart for God and repent of your sin.

Our angle in all situations should be one that seeks the holiness of God. How do you do this?  By being immersed in God’s word.  Through scripture you become tethered to the truth.