Originally posted: 12/31/2019

Now it was after this… (13:1).

Where is He? There is no mention of God in this chapter, no evidence any sought Him, as though Forgotten.

Plots ensued, reactions arose, grief resulted, vengeance developed and transacted, as the LORD God, Almighty King was somehow, well… Forgotten.

Consider Him, Forgotten

This was not a new thing… treating Him as Forgotten. It began early in their history, as the nation was being led out of Egypt by His great and marvelous redemption.

They made a calf in Horeb
And worshiped a molten image.
²⁰ Thus they exchanged their glory
For the image of an ox that eats grass.
²¹ They forgot God their Savior,
Who had done great things in Egypt, (Psalm 106:19-21).

And when He had brought them into the Promised Land, in His grace He warned them of this propensity… to treat Him as Forgotten.

“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today…” (Deuteronomy 8:11).

And as He abundantly blessed them, and as though they paid no heed to His warnings, rather than blessing Him… they Forgot Him.

“As they had their pasture, they became satisfied,
And being satisfied, their heart became proud;
Therefore they forgot Me,” (Hosea 13:6).

2 Samuel 13 presents a grave portrait of the results and ramifications in disregarding Him, in treating Him as though Forgotten:

• Frustration
  • Amnon was so frustrated because of his sister Tamar that he made himself ill, (13:2).
• Ungodly counsel
  • But Amnon had a friend… (13:3).
• Ungodly plans
  • Jonadab then said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill… (13:5).
• Disgraceful wickedness
  • When she brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” ¹² But she answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this disgraceful thing!” (13:11-12).
• Rejection of Godly wisdom
  • “As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” ¹⁴ However, he would not listen to her;  (13:13-14).
• Violation
  • …since he was stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her, (13:14).
• Hatred and desolation
  • Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up, go away!”… So Tamar remained and was desolate in her brother Absalom’s house, (13:15, 20).
• Revenge and murder
  • Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death…” ²⁹ The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. (13:28-29).
• Irreconcilable estrangement
  • Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. (13:37).
• Inconsolable grief
  • And David mourned for his son every day… The heart of King David longed to go out to Absalom… (13:37, 39).

How do we respond to Him, Forgotten?

All of us are born with this same propensity as the nation Israel, to treat Him as Forgotten, as we fashion and create our own gods to worship.

 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures, (Romans 1:21-23).

And in His amazing grace, the Father sent His Son, that we would be enabled and empowered by faith to worship, learn and remember Him.

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me,” (John 6:44-45).

And He sent His Holy Spirit to teach us, that we would remember.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you,” (John 14:26).

In His grace, He has both warned us and provided all we need, that we NOT Forget Him.

“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today…” (Deuteronomy 8:11).

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,” (Joshua 1:8-9).

He has given us Jesus, His Holy Spirit and His Holy Word that we would be strengthened to have true success, relationship and fellowship with Him.

Oh, may we never treat Him as Forgotten. Let us daily seek to learn of Him in His Word as we depend on His Holy Spirit, that we would give Him glory and never forget all He has given us.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits; (Psalm 103:1-2).

Let’s Grow Together!