November 10, 2012 – 2 Samuel 18

When I read the part about the forest consuming more than the sword, I immediately thought of the Ents in Lord of the Rings; very peaceful until they get riled up and then very deadly.  It makes you wonder about whether Tolkien got some inspiration from that very line in the Bible.  It makes you wonder how many other stories have come because of something that was remembered or inspired by the Bible.  It makes you wonder if that is all part of God’s plan.  Some may never pick up the Bible, but if they read or watch Lord of the Rings and see the Ents, they get a sense that when evil rises to a certain level, even the forest will fight for good.  That is a message straight from God’s Word and has reached a multitude that may never know they are learning about God’s love.   

At first I was thinking, what terrible aim.  He threw three pikes and the guy was still alive.  He was just hanging there and the guy couldn’t hit him well enough to kill him. 

Then I thought of how short their memories are.  Do they not understand what happens to those that disobey the king, even if it is hurting the enemy?  David is all about mercy and forgiveness, especially in dealing with his enemies, and this is his own son.  He has already executed those that have killed enemies against his orders, won’t it be worse when it is his own son.  Joab seems to understand this.  He ask the messenger why he wants to go so badly.  And then when the messenger gets there, he is so blunt about it.  He really has no idea that this is something awful and probably doesn’t understand why he is about to meet his end.