I've really enjoyed this latest series by a former prof on his weekly e-journal. I hope you don't mind me sharing:

The Ancient Word...

2 Samuel 15-19 tells the sad story of how Absalom led a rebellion against his own father, King David.

When David learned that Absalom's troops were coming to kill him, the king quickly gathered his family and fled. The refugees left Jerusalem, passed through the Kidron Valley (15:23), crossed over the Mount of Olives (15:30), traversed the desert, and sought safety on the east side of the Jordan River (17:22).

Some of David's servants remained loyal to him, in spite of the risks. For example, Ittai the Gittite promised, "Wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be" (15:21, NIV).

Others, however, treated the king with contempt. For example, Shimei, the son of Gera, cursed David, threw rocks at him, and shouted, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel!" (16:7) David's bodyguard wanted to cut off Shimei's head, but the king forbid it, saying, "Leave him alone" (16:11).

A civil war followed, in which Absalom died as David's forces gained the victory. But the king took no joy in his success. He only wept and cried out, "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you -- O Absalom, my son, my son!" (18:33)

Then David crossed back over the Mount of Olives, passed through the Kidron Valley, and returned to his throne in Jerusalem. The multitudes came out to meet him, welcoming David home. Even Shimei, trembling with fear, fell prostrate before the one he had cursed (19:18).

A thousand years later another King, a Son of David, also crossed the Kidron Valley, pursued by rebel troops. On the Mount of Olives, he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, offering to die, if necessary, in place of his enemies (Matthew 26:36-44).

One of the King's servants betrayed him, showing the soldiers where to find him. Others wanted to fight, and one drew his sword and cut off another man's ear as a warning to back away.

However, the King forbid any resistance, saying, "Put your sword back into its place" (Matthew 26:45-56). He simply mourned over his people, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing" (Matthew 23:37).

Nevertheless, the rebellion will fail and the King will be victorious. Rejected at Gethsemane, the Son of David will one day return to the Mount of Olives, to the Kidron Valley, to Jerusalem, and to his throne. And all will rise up to meet him -- even those who cursed him (Matthew 25:30-31; Revelation 1:7).

Now we look to the eastern horizon, awaiting the Return of the King.