Justin Houtz

2 Samuel 13, Matthew 20

DateVersionReading Plan
October 7, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

2 Samuel 13

Observation & Interpretation

2 Sam. 13:1 – David’s son, Absalom, had a beautiful sister, Tamar, borne of Maacah. After a time, another of David’s sons, Amnon (borne of Ahinoam), loved Tamar. Tamar was Amnon’s half-sister.

2 Sam. 13:15 – After violating his half-sister, Amnon hated her with more hatred than he loved her.

  • Amnon’s attraction to Tamar was based on lust and conquest. This turned to hatred when he was able to accomplish what he had longed to do with her.
  • Lust and hatred are closely related. (BBC)

2 Sam. 13:23-25 – After two full years, Absalom had sheep-shearers at Baal-hazor and invited all of David’s sons. David said ‘no’, lest they be a burden to him.

  • Absalom was seeking an opportunity for all of David’s sons (including Amnon) to be gathered.

2 Sam. 13:28-30 – Absalom commanded his servants to strike Amnon (which they did), but the news that came to David was that Absalom had struck down all of David’s sons.

2 Sam. 13:32-33 – Jonadab clarified with David that only Amnon of his sons was dead.

Matthew 20

Observation & Interpretation

Matt. 20:14 – The master of the house gave equal pay to those who worked the least as with those who worked the longest.

  • Just as the landowner was free to dispense his wealth as he saw fit, God is free to dispense His grace as He determines. The first workers hired represent people who consider themselves to be of greater importance to God, like the self-righteous man in 19:16-26. The last workers hired represent people like the twelve disciples, who live sacrificially but will be rewarded far more generously than they expect or deserve. (CSB Notes)

Matt. 20:1-16 – “The soul that loves God seeks no other reward than that God whom it loves. Were to soul to demand anything else, then it would certainly love that other thing and not God.” – Bernard of Clairvaux…Let none think more of rewards for service rendered than of Jesus whom we serve. (ESVEC – Response)

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