How does this look in the text? Well, have you ever noticed that some of the psalms have headings that describe some sort of historical situation? Most of those historical events are found in other places in the Scriptures. And the NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible<\/a> weaves those psalms into their historical context. Let\u2019s look at an example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you read through the Bible in order, it may take you weeks after you read 2 Samuel 15<\/a> to get to Psalm 3<\/a>. But historically, they occur at roughly the same time. Though I don\u2019t think David was literally penning the psalm as he was on the run from his son, he wrote the psalm retrospectively from a \u201clive\u201d experience. It expresses the fears, confidence, and hope David had while he was running for his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some notes from the NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible<\/a> interspersed with the Scripture passages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Introduction<\/strong> | \u201cDavid faced two major rebellions: one led by his son Absalom and another by Sheba from the tribe of Benjamin. Absalom\u2019s rebellion was so successful that David had to flee from Israel, and Absalom took over the palace. This difficult situation provides the background for two of David\u2019s psalms. David relied on God to rescue him from his enemies and restore him to the throne, and God proved faithful to his promise.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 2 Samuel 15:1-2 | \u201cAfter this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. Then Absalom would say, \u2018You\u2019ve really got a strong case here! It\u2019s too bad the king doesn\u2019t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n 2 Sam 15:2<\/a> The city gate was like city hall and a shopping center combined. Because Jerusalem was the nation\u2019s capital, both local and national leaders met there daily to transact business and conduct government affairs. The city gate was the perfect spot for this because government and business transactions needed witnesses to be legitimate, and anyone entering or leaving the city had to enter through the gate. Merchants set up their tent-shops near the gate for the same reason. Absalom, therefore, went to the city gate to win the hearts of Israel\u2019s leaders as well as those of the common people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 Samuel 15:5-6 | \u201cWhen people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn\u2019t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n 2 Sam 15:5-6<\/a> Absalom\u2019s political strategy was to steal the hearts of the people with his good looks, grand entrances, apparent concern for justice, and friendly embraces. Many were fooled and switched their allegiance. Later, however, Absalom proved to be an evil ruler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We need to evaluate our leaders to make sure their charisma is not a mask covering graft, deception, or hunger for power. Make sure that underneath their style and charm, they are able to make good decisions and handle people wisely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 Samuel 15:13-14 | \u201c\u2019A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, \u201cAll Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!\u2019 \u2018Then we must flee at once, or it will be too late!\u2019 David urged his men. \u2018Hurry! If we get out of the city before Absalom arrives, both we and the city of Jerusalem will be spared from disaster.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n 2 Sam 15:14<\/a> Had David not escaped from Jerusalem, the ensuing fight might have killed him as well as many innocent inhabitants of the city. Some fights that we think necessary can be costly and destructive to those around us. In such cases, it may be wise to back down and save the fight for another day\u2014even if doing so hurts our pride. It takes courage to stand and fight, but it also takes courage to back down for the sake of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 Sam 15:14<\/a> Why couldn\u2019t David just crush this rebellion? There were several reasons he chose to flee: (1) The rebellion was widespread (2 Sam 15:10-13<\/a>) and would not have been easily suppressed; (2) David did not want the city of Jerusalem to be destroyed; (3) David still cared for his son and did not want to hurt him. We know that David expected to return to Jerusalem soon because he left 10 of his concubines to take care of the palace (2 Sam 15:16<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalms 3:1-2 | \u201cO LORD, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, \u2018God will never rescue him!\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Ps 3:1-2<\/a> David felt like he was in the minority. As many as 10,000 soldiers may have been surrounding him at this time (Ps 3:6<\/a>). Not only did David\u2019s enemies view life differently, but they actively sought to harm him. As king, David could have trusted his army to defeat Absalom. Instead, he depended upon God\u2019s mercy (Ps 3:4<\/a>); therefore, he was at peace with whatever outcome occurred, knowing that God\u2019s great purposes would prevail. We can overcome fear by trusting God for his protection in our darkest hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalms 3:3-4 | \u201cBut you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Ps 3:1-3<\/a> David was not sitting on his throne in a place of power; he was running for his life from his rebellious son, Absalom, and a host of traitors. When circumstances go against us, we may be tempted to think that God also is against us. But David reminds us that the opposite is true. When everything seems to go wrong, God is still for us. If a circumstance has turned against you, don\u2019t blame God\u2014seek him!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ps 3:4<\/a> God\u2019s holy mountain was Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, the place where David\u2019s son Solomon would build the Temple (2 Chr 3:1<\/a>). David knew that God could not be confined to any space, but he wrote poetically, expressing confidence that God would hear him when he prayed. God responds to us when we earnestly pray to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalms 3:5-6 | \u201cI lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Ps 3:5<\/a> Sleep does not come easily during a crisis. David could have had sleepless nights when his son Absalom rebelled and gathered an army to kill him. But he slept peacefully, even during the rebellion. What made the difference? David cried out to the Lord, and the Lord heard him. The assurance of answered prayer brings peace. It is easier to sleep well when we have full assurance that God is in control of circumstances. If you are lying awake at night worrying about what you can\u2019t change, pour out your heart to God, and thank him that he is in control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalms 3:7-8 | \u201cArise, O LORD! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked! Victory comes from you, O LORD. May you bless your people.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Ps 3:7<\/a> David\u2019s call for God to act reveals his desire for justice against his persecutors. David himself had been slapped and insulted, and here he simply asks for equal treatment for his enemies. He did this, not out of personal revenge, but for the sake of God\u2019s justice. Psalm 3:8<\/a> shows the humility behind David\u2019s words\u2014he realized that faith in God\u2019s timing was the answer to his question about the success the wicked had unfairly achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is just one of the benefits of the NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible<\/a> resource. You can read the story of the Bible in the actual order of the events themselves. Make your way to the store and see what else this resource offers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n2 Samuel 15 and Psalm 3<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Absalom Rebels<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
David Runs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
David Prays<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
David Sleeps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Keep Reading Chronologically!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.olivetree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image-6.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n