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Wiersbe's take on the situation was that Joab wanted a crown princess ready to take over if David died (David now being about 60 years old). The crown prince was currently exiled and couldn't come home without David's permission. But how could he just overlook the murder?

So Joab reasons with David via the wise woman deception.

Just a nerdy aside. It is interesting that when people wanted to see a change in David, they convinced him with stories. Howard Gardner is an American psychologist and education expert from Harvard. He is best known for his Multiple Intelligence theory. But he wrote a book on how to influence people and his research showed it to be stories.

We are still a tribal people. Only recently wearing suits and ties. We think we're far removed from our roots because of all of the modern blessing from God. But if you want to affect us, persuade us, change us...we respond to stories. It's odd. We might think logic would be the best. But people have knowledge in their head and are often unaffected by it. but if you put that same knowledge into a story, it can reach our inner most being and chance change. We've now seen it twice with David in just a few chapters.

He tried to passive the wise woman/actress, but she would not be put off. She persisted until she got him to say that he would spare her son's life. Now he was in the position that he would forgive a stranger; but leave his own son in exile. Now he had a reason to bring Absalom home.

Personally, I am a little annoyed that Amnon can rape without consequence and now Absalom can murder and run off to his other royal grandparents to wait it out. It feels like God's law doesn't apply to the royals. But the case being made here isn't. Absalom should go free because his your son. It's Israel is a newly renewed nation that's just now getting her feet underneath her after a long season of the judges. If you, David, die without a clear heir, all of Israel could lose her inheritance--the Promise Land.

Who gets forgiven and who pays full price? It's not up to us. We don't see the big picture. We don't see generational consequences and outcomes that the Lord sees clearly.

And besides, in actuality, like Michael Jackson or OJ Simpson, it may look like someone is getting away with evil because of who they are...but for both Amnon and Absalom, their reprieve was short lived. Neither prospered (or even lived) in the long run.

And in the end, because the Father was willing to sacrifice His Son and Jesus was willing to be tortured and slain, non of us get what we deserve. And we do get what we don't deserve. Grace and mercy. Praise God and may I never forget how much I have been forgiven.

David said Joab could go get Absalom, but when he was back, he had to stay on his own land (sort of a house arrest) and he couldn't visit the palace or see David.

Wiersbe points out that David and Absalom were reconciled, but there is no evidence that Absalom was repentant or that he paid the sacrifice he owed. So he came back to court privileges, but his heart was unchanged.

Wiersbe describes a little side plot that isn't obvious to me on first reading, so I don't know if it's theologically valid or just his opinion. But he describes how popular Absalom was and so when Absalom sent for Joab (twice) to come help him out of his house arrest situation, Joab didn't go because he didn't want to look like he was working for the prince at his beck and call.

So, Wiersbe writes that the reason Absalom had his servants set Joab's field on fire was to give Joab a reason to come see him- the arsonist would need to pay for the damages by law.

Final thought: that's a lot of palace intrigue, plotting, and scheming. And, in reality, despite Joab and Absalom's best efforts, Absalom never had a chance. He lived his life trying to become King. But he failed to ask the King Maker if that what he should do with his life. What if Joab and Absalom had been seeking the Lord' will during this time, instead of their own? Joab schemed to bring into Israel a man who would seek to destroy the King Joab was supposed to protect. When David asked why he had set up the whole theatrical scene with the "widow", Joab said "To change this present situation." Well, change he did. He put a traitor within arms reach of the king.

Here's the point, and it's meant for me, not just Joab and Absalom. God has a Will. And it will be done. We can either seek Him and do our best to be in His Will, or we can run around, plotting, scheming, burning down the days we've been given, and losing out on the blessing our loving Father had for us.

So, Joab decided to intervene with David concerning the exile of Absalom.

In my mind, Joab must have seen how effective Nathan had been at using a story to make a point to the king. So Joab sent for a wise woman and gave her a sob story to tell to Kind David.

She told a story about losing her husband, then her two boys fought, one killing the other, and now her family wants to slay the second son for the murder, leaving her without and heir.

David tries to put her off, but she persists. Pretty soon David asks if Joab had put her up to this and she says yes. However, she pushes the point that even though Absalom is the one who murdered the heir appearant, he is the next in line and Israel needs a king after David.

David concedes to Joab and sends him to go get Absalom. Joab falls on his face in gratitude, which struck me as odd. Then he ran off and got Absalom and brought him back to Jerusalem.

When he arrives, David sends Absalom to his own house and doesn't see him face to face.

Then there is a lengthy description about how beautiful and physically perfect Absalom is. It even mentions that his hair is so thick and heavy, he cuts it once a year and it weights 3-4 pounds! It also mentions that he has three sons and a daughter named Tamar (his sister's name).

He sits there for two years and never sees the King, his father David.

So he sends for Joab, but Joab doesn't come. He sends for him again and he does not come, So he sets a portion of Joab's field on fire and Joab shows up.

Absalom asks Joab to go find out why David sent for him if he isn't going to see him? He could have stayed with his maternal grandparents, who were royalty in their land.

So Joab goes with the message.

David sends for Absalom.

Absalom comes and prostrates himself before his King.

The King kisses Absalom.

The Ryrie Study Bible footnote says the verse 33 (where David kisses Absalom) restores Absalom to full court privileges.

I feel like I should be more moved by this chapter; but I (honestly) just feel bad for Tamar. this all started by her being violated and then events moved on, never to make her whole. If Amnon had been dealt with via God's law, none of the other events would have occurred. I have to trust God that He used the events to further His purpose and He loves Tamar and met her needs according to His wisdom and glory.

Revenge

Absalom waited two years to get his revenge (or use revenge as a way to make clear his way to the throne.)

He asked King David to attended, probably knowing David would want his entourage to disrupt the events. Once David said 'no' it left Absalom the opening to ask David to send his heir in his place, Amnon. David seem to have an inkling that there was something amiss about this but approved it and send all of his sons. Maybe as a buffer between the two.

Wiersbe draws parallels between David's premeditated murder and escape with Absalom's premeditated murder and escape. Although David's sin was forgiven- the model had been given to the adult sons who were watching.

Revenge never solves anything. Nothing is better because of it. Specifically, Tamar was not better for it. Absalom thought he was better for it. Now he was in line for the throne. But that didn't work out either. Wiersbe: "The Christian way is the way of forgiveness and faith, trusting the Lord to work everything out for our good and His Glory (I Peter 4: 12-19.)"

Exile

Absalom fled to the land of his maternal grandparents. where his grandfather was king. Likely, he and his grandfather were planning how he could be king of Israel.

Meanwhile King David had grieved the loss of Amnon, but was comforted by time and began longing to see his living son, Absalom. Or the same verse can be interpreted that he had planned to go after Absalom and that had quieted over time.

Starting with a side note: I haven't read a word of Wiersbe's commentary yet and I'm already annoyed. As mentioned in previous posts, I am a huge fan of Wiersbe and his ability to bring the Old Testament to life in a way applicable to the our lives under the New Testament. But this particular book in his "Be" series has been repeatedly disappointing. First with some of the awkward "bolt on" references to Jesus (which is usually his strength), then with his treatment of Bathsheba. And now, I'm starting the chapter on the rape of Tamar and what does he title it, David's Unruly Sons. Not Tamar's Violation or even Amnon's Sins. But "unruly", like it was graffiti or something, not rape and murder. I swear this book is trying to turn me into a feminist.

OK, enough of that. Let's hope he does better with the actual scripture.

We're not off to a good start. He says this section is mostly about Absalom because he turns a drama into a tragedy. My guess is Tamar would disagree. I imagine she sees the tragedy start when she was defiled and raped.

Wiersbe points out that here are multiple laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy that prohibit uncovering your half sister's nakedness. As heir to the throne, undoubtedly, Amnon knew this and should have dealt with his sinful thoughts; not pursued them.

There were separate quarters for the virgin princesses and they were kept separate, even from male relatives.

Oh, my. Wiersbe points out that the creepy cousin who helped push Amnon to his creepy plan to lure in Tamar, is the same person who was by David's side when David erroneously heard that ALL of his sons were murdered by Absalom. He even says, it's probably not all of them, Absalom has wanted to kill Amnon since "he violated his sister Tamar." That's awful. He knew it was a violation and yet he designed the whole rape. And has the nerve to distance himself from it.

Twice so far, Wiersbe is saying Amnon committed the rape out of lust. I don't buy that. Lust is burning desire. But it is not rape. Rape comes from wanting to own and damage someone else. He wasn't satisfying a desire or he wouldn't have hated her and kicked her out in humiliation after. Having sex with her was just his method of accomplishing his even more evil desires.

Wiersbe points out that Absalom's plan may not have helped Tamar, but did give him reason to kill his rival for the throne. With Amnon the first born out of the way, Absalom had a clear shot at the throne. It left his sister devastated and unavenged, but that didn't seem to be a concern.

Tamar couldn't go back to the home for the virgin princesses and she now had few prospects for marriage. So she had to go to Absalom, whose job it was to avenge her.

The topic of my previous post was the first half of the Amnon's rape of Tamar and Absalom's horrible initial response.

As we rejoin the story in verse 21, David is made aware of the whole situation. "And he was very angry."

For two years, Absalom was in a silent rage and did not speak to Amnon.

Then Absalom had a sheepshearing party and invited all the king's sons. Absalom tried to get King David to come, but David said no. So then Absalom asked if Amnon could come. David asked why (which is more than he asked about why Tamar should cook and feed Amnon), but it sounds like Absalom just kept urging and David said ok.

Why hadn't anyone done anything to Amnon prior to this? If David had heard about it and was angry, why is Amnon still alive and breathing? Ryrie has a note that Amnon was David's firstborn and was in line for the throne. This doesn't seem like an excuse for violating Mosaic law and violating one's daughter, but apparently David didn't see it that way.

So Absalom planned with his servants to get Amnon drunk and then slay him. And then they did. This caused all of the other sons of David to flee.

But when word got back to David it was wrong. He was told that all of David's sons were slain. So David and all of his servant tore their clothes in grief. But David's brother brought him the real update. The kings sons came home and everyone grieved.

Absalom fled and lived for three years in exile of the family.

Eventually. David's heart was comforted regrading Amnon and began to long to see his son, Absalom.

No mention of Tamar. I guess we have to assume she's still sitting in Absalom's house disgraced. And this action wasn't on her behalf, so it seems unlikely it was very much a comfort to her, seeing how Absalom framed it to her immediately following the rape.

I'm not much of a feminist, if anything I am, generally, in disagreement with what they stand for and believe. But this chapter is deeply unsatisfying and frustrating. Ultimately, I trust the Lord and His Word.

Tamar

So...this is one of those stories sprinkled through the Bible that show the daily horror of man. You don't expect a rape story; a family sexual abuse story in the Bible. At least I don't. But it shows God's intention for this book. It's meant to be a field manual from our leader, showing us where and how to go. A field manual that only mentions the best case scenarios is useless.

So here's the gist of it:

  • As mentioned previously, David had many wives. His son, Amnon.
  • From another mother, he had a brother and sister Tamar, and her brother Absalom.
  • Amnon lusted after Tamar. And he couldn't think of a way to "do anything to her". He was so obsessed with her, he made himself ill.
  • Amnon's creepy friend (also David's nephew) he use his father to force Tamar into serving him in his bedroom by deception.
  • Amnon thought this an excellent idea, pretended to be sick, requested that Tama serve him and his father obliged. Which is so gross. Why? David knew the truth about men's urges and such, why would he force the daughter of one wife to serve a sick son of another wife in his bedroom?
  • Tamar obediently obliges and cooks the food, but Amnon says, I want you to feed me by hand in my bed.
  • Amnon tries to force her and she replies with several things that caught my eye:
    • v. 12
    • She clearly starts with "no". She did not want this act.
    • Then she calls him "my brother". trying to highlight why it was wrong.
    • Then she says, "do not violate me". emphasizing it would not be sex, but a violation
    • "such a thing is not done in Israel" reminding him that the were a nation set apart and they did not abide in these perversions.
    • v. 13
    • The she points out that she would have no way to remove her reproach.
    • And he would be a fool among his nation.
    • And finally, she offers to marry him and make it legitimate by going to the king and asking for her.
  • v. 14 Amnon overpowers her and rapes and violates her.
  • v. 15 And then he despises her. He hated more intensely than he had been obsessed with her. I think this is a common response for abusers and predators. There are probably some basic psychological explanations, such as resenting that he wanted her and she didn't reciprocate, so when he had her, he could return the rejection. Or many they hate themselves, but are so narcissistic, they have to turn their hate on others. Whatever the reasoning, it is simple and plain evil. You have to harden your heart to allow yourself to do that to another human being and that means choosing evil over good. You invite in a cancer that you cannot contain to that one act.
  • And his creepy buddy, David's nephew, is complicit. Yes, Amnon is responsible for his own criminal behavior; but the devil successfully tempted the nephew to successfully tempt Amnon. Verse 2 says it was hard for Amnon to think of anyway to do anything to her. The nephew made a way.
  • Also in v. 15, he has her kicked out.
  • In v. 16, she begs him to do the only remaining right thing and marry her- pointing out that sending her away to spend the rest of her life carrying the shame and reproach is worse than the rape itself. It hurts my heart that many cultures make it so hard on rape victims. That they should be anything but victims who should be able to confidently bring charges to the abuser is so sad and infuriating. It doesn't help that some women cry 'rape', making it harder to automatically believe every woman.
  • Tamar would rather marry her rapist than to leave there in permanent shame. That just shocks the conscious.
  • v 17, this cowardly weasel has an attendant throw her out and lock the door. Again, this image is so callous and cowardly, it's tough not to hate this man.
  • In Verses 17 and 18, Tamar is left to respond in grief and shame, tearing her "virginal clothing" and covering herself in ashes, she leaves sobbing aloud. (Ryrie points out that she took the specific actions of a widow mourning her husband.)

The Fallout

The next scene in this gristly story gets progressively worse.

In v. 20, Tamar's brother discovers what happens and does a thing men are often inclined to do and that to simultaneously dismiss the woman's feels about the issue; and then take the issue, personally, to heart and go act on his own anger.

  • He confirms what happened with her.
  • Then he tells the rape victim to keep silent.
  • Then seems to say to keep quiet because it was her brother, as if that's better?
  • Then tells her not to take the matter to heart.

It's difficult to imagine how he could have handled this worse. What a horrible, horrible response.

  • Telling a rape victim to keep quiet is truly another violation. She has already lost control of her body once and now she's not allowed to speak of it? Horrible response #1. And I know some might say that he wanted her to keep quiet to help his revenge plan work better; but that's not a valid reason. She's supposed to do something so he can more easily do what it takes to make himself feel better? No. No. No. No. No. If talking about is what she needed; his revenge plot should be what suffers; not Tamar.
  • Then, I can't even describe how awful it sounds that he tells her to quiet down because it was her brother who did this thing. I hope there is something lost in translation because that is too horrible to consider.
  • And then Absalom has the nerve to tell her to not take it to heart. HE TAKES IT TO HEART. He gets to act on his anger; but she's supposed to not take it to heart. What a selfish, knuckle-dragging, asinine thing to say to someone who is hurting from such a personal violation. Because of her culture, her whole life has now changed. She can never be a virgin again, with all that entails. And he pats her on the head and dismisses her feelings-- all the while planning to exercise his own feelings on the matter.

And the proof he handled it completely wrong? The last sentence in Verse 20: "So Tamar remained was DESOLATE in her brother Absalom's house.

David confessed.

Nathan immediately informed him that the Lord had forgiven his sin.

"However"

Uh oh. The amazing, grateful blanket of relief of being forgiven by God. Followed by, "However".

Forgiven of sin is not the same as released from consequences. Particularly those natural consequences that match the action. (Just like we learned in Love and Logic teaching and parenting.)

The Lord had made a covenant with David and the next baby was going to be his 8th, which is the number of new beginnings. We learn that the baby Bathsheba and David do have (Solomon) became identified as the one to carry on the crown. This baby, the one conceived in utter base sin and covered up by murder, could not be the beginning of the Lord's bloodline. Nathan frames it this way, "You have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme."

The baby lived only a week, so he was unable to be circumcised and named.

Solomon was born and was living evidence of God's forgiveness; God's provision of a new start; and God's promise of a redeemed future for us all.

This scene with Bathsheba, although fundamental and foundation to the future of mankind, was only a side story as David was still in the era of conquest and had to go complete the battle against Rabbah, so that the victory would count for his name-although Joab had done the lion's share of the work. At least Joab (probably by God's prompting) recognized the need to support is king and bring him the victory.

I think I need to meditate on that. How often do I claim the victory for myself, so that my name may be lifted up. Even corrupt Joab knew to save the victory for the king, so that the king's name be praised and the nation stronger for having a strong king. If Joab had kept the victory for himself, it would have split the names of those strong military leaders, leaving the kingdom vulnerable to factions-just like the ones they were just now coming out from. But Joab saved the victory for the king.

I can and should do the same. Put the victory under the name of our one true, strong king. Never touching the glory of God for myself.

Lord- please give me the words to do that correctly. Sometimes it sounds so awkward to try and give you the glory for work tasks and such. But I know there is a way to make it a natural part of who I am. A reflex to extend the victory to the real victor. I submit myself to you and ask that you renew my mind in Christ Jesus; and change me in this way.

I've camped on these two chapters, 11 and 12, for weeks. I've had various other studies and such, but I really was camping on these chapters when I had my own reading time. I found them deeply compelling and rich in lessons. And at the end of all of the tumult, God gives the Israelites (and their leader) a huge victory. That's how God chose to end this scene. I know we get into the consequences of David's sin next, and that comes soon enough. But before God picks up with the rest of the story, he gives David a significant victory with a 75 pound crown to symbolize that he was still King, reigning under the grace of a God with a plan and a God that forgives.

That's a pretty cool way to top off such a disappointing detour in David's journey. What astounding hope that gives to the rest of us.

Oh You Hypocrite! (and me too)

Nathan's approach to David was inspired. Maybe God scripted it for him. Maybe his time under Saul's reign made him wary of a direct approach with a king; but he used storytelling to bring the King's own crime against him. and he made a lamb at the center of the story, probably because of David's time as a shepherd.

Stealing a domestic animal wasn't a capital offense. At yet, David pronounced death on the rich man in the story.

Think about that.

He was so shocked at the injustice in the story, he proclaimed the rich man should die.

Wile he was carrying around the sins he had done to Bathsheba and to Uriah without, seemingly, an ounce of remorse.

It's so easy to see the smallest sin in others. I know that I have been more mad at a driver that I perceive to be rude than remorseful for significant sins of my own. I attribute rationalizations to my sins, no matter how big, because I perceive myself as a, generally, good person. But other demonstrating what I perceive to be selfishness or thoughtlessness are showing that they are, generally, bad people. Not that I have that thought consciously at the time; but upon closer examination, that seems to be my thinking.

And God watches it with the same clarity that he watched David outraged at the rich man while being unmoved by his own evil.

Psalm 51

Wiersbe points to two Psalms attributed to David after Nathan's exhortation, Pslams 51 and 32. My Ryrie bible assumes that 32 is the sequel.

51:1 Starts off with a plea for grace, based in the characteristic of God, lovingkindness.

In verses 1-2 he actually asks to be washed and cleansed.

In verse 3, he acknowledges that, although he seemed to be unphased or unconcerned about his own sin, he knew. And it was always before him. That's how it is, often, with me. My conscious thoughts I can keep occupied and busy--distracted. But In the back of my mind, I know. It's there and it's clear, just quieted enough to be temporarily drowned out.

Verse 4 he acknowledges what I spoke of at length in a previous post-- his sin was, first and foremost, against God and in God's sight. He admits that God has every right to speak against and judge him.

I have verse 5 highlighted in my Bible yet struggle to completely understand it. Then The rest of the Psalm are his hopeful requests to God, again, based in God's character of justice, but also mercy and grace.

  • Purify me; wash me
  • Let my broken bones know joy
  • Blot out my sin
  • Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me
  • Do not take away you Holy Spirit (as you did with Saul)
  • Restore to me the joy of my salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways and sinners will be converted to you.
  • Deliver me from blood-guiltiness
  • I will praise and worship you, not with burnt offerings, but with a broken and contrite spirit and heart.

In the final verses, 18-19, he extends his prayer to his nation.

Psalm 32

This is a Psalm looking back. His experience is fresh in his mind; but the crisis is behind him and he is reflecting.

In 32:1-2 David celebrates being forgiven and what a blessing it is. It is a blessing. Christians talk about forgiveness so much and place so much emphasis on it, that we forget it's a gift. Not to be taken for granted and expected. Even more, some parts of Christianity make it transaction. We use God's promise that if we confess and repent, we'll be forgiven as a mechanism. 'Ok, I confessed, now You forgive.' Forgetting that Jesus was beaten, humiliated, crucified, and faced down death to provide that forgiveness for you. He doesn't owe it to you because you said a magic phrase.

Lord- please forgive me for all of the time I took your forgiveness for granted and took it lightly. David is right to be amazed and proclaim us blessed if we know our sins are covered.

Even though David never seemed to be bothered by his sin until Nathan confronts him, it sounds like God was afflicting him physically and emotionally. (v 3-4)

And then, when David did confess, God forgave his guilt. (v 5)

In verse 6, David makes an excellent point- pray to God WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND. Again, God isn't bound by our wants and needs. We can't take for granted that He will be there when we decide to reach out. He is faithful. He is patient. He is loving. But He IS NOT beholden to us.

V 7. Then David praises God for being David's safety, security, and deliverance.

V 8-11 he brings the message to his people, his nation. Encouraging them to be obedient voluntarily, not as a beast of burden, who requires a bit and bridle to obey.

Wiersbe points out that Nathan had the privilege of being God's choice to present the covenant with David and now has the heavy responsibility of dealing with David's sin.

What this brings to mind for me is that God is the I am. All time is the same for Him. He knew when He sent Nathan with the covenant that He would be sending Nathan back with the judgement. And yet He still sent Him with the covenant. That blows my mind. As He is lifting David up he was experiencing the disappointment of the ultimate and permanent state of spoiler alert. He knows we are going to blow it and blow it big, even on our worst day. It's mind blowing; but it is comforting. He knew Jesus was going to pay for all of those sins so that we can return to and remain in communion with our Lord.

Praise the living God. Grace and mercy in one painful scene.

God Restores

There is something so compelling, not just the image of a man on his face fasting and pleading with the Lord, but when told no, calming getting up, cleaning up and anointing himself and then worshiping the Lord. And then, and only then, breaking his fast. The servants who observed it firsthand marveled.

We just don't see that much today. It all could happen in private; so maybe it does happen. But we don't hear much about God from our public figures. If they don't do much to emphasize Him, it's hard to imagine the rest. I guess that's why David would get such a honored moniker of "man after God's own heart", despite his horrific sin- this side of him was such a positive example.

v. 24 A lot happens in this verse.

  • David comforts Bathsheba. That seems significant. It shows he was compassionate and recognized her need. It sees very pro-woman for the time. Giving time and attention to her need after the loss. Many cultures dismiss woman as second class citizens and yet God included this in His Holy book.
  • Then they tried again within the confines of a legal marriage and she conceived, and gave birth to Solomon.
  • "Now the Lord loved him." I assume this means Solomon, since that's the last male name in the story; but I wonder if it also means David- having restored the situation.

God (via Nathan) named Solomon Jedidiah, for the Lord's sake. This means beloved of the Lord. Ryrie says this name marked him as successor for the throne.

One final thing that struck me from this whole passage. This seems to be a model of how to be restored after sin. You confess, repent, ask for forgiveness, worship God, and then you accept forgiveness and return to walking in faith, understanding that, although there still may be consequences to come, your sin itself has been forgiven. David didn't walk around letting the devil tell him what a bad person he was. He didn't walk away from God and go his own way. He didn't stay at the castle, hidden in shame. He went on with life, as God had granted to him; letting God's forgiveness be enough. Because it is enough and it is all that can be. Nothing David did could have added to what God granted.

We cannot let the enemy chase us around waving our past at us, 'for shame, for shame'. Accept the unearned gifts of grace and mercy, worship the Lord, and move on with life.

Back to the Battle

Verve 26 takes up back to the battle against the Ammon battle. Joab had, basically, won the battle and told David to come and claim the victory. So David arrived with the rest of the troops and took the crown from the king (75 pound crown!)

vs. 31 is a grim ending to this chapter. After David defeats Ammon, takes their spoils, and then, depending on the interpretation, he either puts them all to hard labor or kills them all in gruesome manners similar o how they killed prisoners.

I really slowed down in this chapter. There just seemed to be so much there. I look forward to comparing what struck me with what I find in the Wiersbe commentary.