Narcissistic DefinitionA pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present. How do adult children of narcissistic parents celebrate Mother’s Day? An innovative study shows how power plus narcissism fuels the arrogant individual. I happily agreed to appear, for a number. Narcissistic AbuseEarly Warning Signs You're With a Narcissist. At the beginning of April this year, I was tapped by the Huffington Post Live team for a discussion on narcissism. I happily agreed to appear, for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that narcissism happens to be one of my favorite subjects. Early in my training, I had the pleasure of working with one of the foremost authorities on narcissism in our field, and in part because of that experience, I went on to work with quite a few clients who'd been diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder. That's where I learned that the formal diagnostic label hardly does justice to the richness and complexity of this condition. The most glaring problems are easy to spot - - the apparent absence of even a shred of empathy, the grandiose plans and posturing, the rage at being called out on the slightest of imperfections or normal human missteps - - but if you get too hung up on the obvious traits, you can easily miss the subtle (and often more common) features that allow a narcissist to sneak into your life and wreak havoc. Just ask Tina Swithin, who went on to write a book about surviving her experience with a man who clearly meets criteria for NPD (and very likely, a few other diagnoses). To her lovestruck eyes, her soon- to- be husband seemed more like a prince charming than the callous, deceitful spendthrift he later proved to be. Looking back, Tina explains, there were signs of trouble from the start, but they were far from obvious at the time. In real life, the most dangerous villains rarely advertise their malevolence. How do we protect ourselves from narcissists if they're so adept at slipping into our lives unnoticed? I shared some of my answers to that question in our conversation, and I encourage you to watch it. But there were a few I didn't get to, and others I didn't have the chance to describe in depth, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to revisit the topic here.
Tread carefully if you catch a glimpse of any of these subtler signs: 1) Projected Feelings of Insecurity: I don't mean that narcissists see insecurity everywhere. I'm talking about a different kind of projection altogether, akin to playing hot potato with a sense of smallness and deficiency. Narcissists say and do things, subtle or obvious, that make you feel less smart, less accomplished, less competent. It's as if they're saying, . Remember the saying: . Emotion- phobia: Feelings are a natural consequence of being human, and we tend to have lots of them in the course of normal interactions. But the very fact of having a feeling in the presence of another person suggests you can be touched emotionally by friends, family, partners, and even the occasional tragedy or failure. Narcissists abhor feeling influenced in any significant way. It challenges their sense of perfect autonomy; to admit to a feeling of any kind suggests they can be affected by someone or something outside of them. So they often change the subject when feelings come up, especially their own, and as quick as they might be to anger, it's often like pulling teeth to get them to admit that they've reached the boiling point - - even when they're in the midst of the most terrifying tirade. A Fragmented Family Story: Narcissism seems to be born of neglect and abuse, both of which are notorious for creating an insecure attachment style (for more on attachment, see here and here). But the very fact that narcissists, for all their posturing, are deeply insecure, also gives us an easy way to spot them. Insecurely attached people can't talk coherently about their family and childhood; their early memories are confused, contradictory, and riddled with gaps. ![]()
narcissistic Personality Disorder
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Chef Marcus Samuelsson of Marcus Samuelsson Group - Biography. Born in Ethiopia, Marcus Samuelsson grew up in Sweden cooking alongside his adoptive grandmother. I feel like I have been cooking all my life. Growing up, my sisters Anna and Linda and I spent summers in Smögen, on the west coast of Sweden. Every morning I went. Marcus; Marc Burger; C-House; Street Food; Ginny's; Red Rooster; Supper Club. Marcus Samuelsson is a celebrity chef and restaurateur known for his appearances on TV's Top Chef and Inner Chef with Marcus Samuelsson. Marcus Samuelsson is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, philanthropist and food activist. His most recent restaurant is New York City's acclaimed. Visit Amazon.com's Marcus Samuelsson Page and shop for all Marcus Samuelsson books and other Marcus Samuelsson related products (DVD, CDs, Apparel). Marcus Samuelsson Height![]() Celebrating the roots of American cuisine. Press - Chloe Mata Crane [email protected] Media - Lauren Monroe. This month we are excited to introduce a new menu we've been working on to celebrate Black History Month at Red Rooster Harlem! The five-course menu features dishes. See more of Marcus Samuelsson by logging into Facebook. Message this Page, learn about upcoming events and more. After graduating from the Culinary Institute in Gothenburg, Samuelsson apprenticed in Switzerland, Austria, and France before finally coming to the United States. In 1. 99. 5, he was hired as the executive chef of New York’s Aquavit, earning three stars from The New York Times. ![]() Four years later, he was James Beard’s “Rising Star Chef” and in 2. Best Chef, New York City.” Samuelsson evolved from the wunderkind of Scandinavian cuisine (at a time when Nordic didn’t carry nearly as much cache) to a chef exploring his roots through cuisine. The Soul of a New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa received a James Beard Award for “Best International Cookbook” in 2. Since then, He's co- founded the Marcus Samuelsson Group, now 1. New York, Chicago, Costa Mesa, Bermuda, and Sweden, including Red Rooster Harlem. Samuelsson has written two more cookbooks, a memoir, founded Food. Republic, and even produced an an app: Big Fork Little Fork. He’s appeared on both “Top Chef” and as a regular judge on “Chopped.” Philanthropist Samuelsson is an ambassador for UNICEF and serves on the board of Careers through Culinary Arts Program and Star. Marcus Samuelsson Recipes![]() ![]() The First Step How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial By: Susan E. The First Step is an inspiring look at the first lawsuit to demand desegregation--long. Importance of Step 1 in Alcoholics Anonymous Making a First Step into Recovery. No journey in life can begin without first making a first step. It is this that puts. Step 1 of Alcoholics Anonymous is about admitting that you can’t control your alcohol use. Learn more about the 1st step. First Steps is designed for children, birth to age 3, who have delayed development or diagnosed conditions that are associated with developmental disabilities. First step - definition of first step by The Free Dictionary. An old oak, lamenting when too late the destruction of his companions, said to a neighboring cedar. ![]() The First Step In Activity-based Costing Is ToThe First Step LyricsFind album reviews, stream songs, credits and award information for First Step - Faces on AllMusic - 1970 - The notorious sloppiness of the Faces was. 21 Step One “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol— that our lives had become unmanageable.” W HO cares to admit complete defeat? Learn about the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program here. Find information about each step and see what treatment options are available in your area. Ode of Remembrance - Wikipedia. The . Over time, the third and fourth stanzas of the poem (usually nowadays just the fourth). A stone plaque was erected at the spot in 2. The plaque bears the inscription: For the Fallen. Composed on these cliffs 1. There is also a plaque on the beehive monument on the East Cliff above Portreath in central North Cornwall which cites that as the place where Binyon composed the poem. A quotation appears on the Calgary Soldiers' Memorial. A plaque on a statue dedicated to the fallen in La Valletta, Malta, is also inscribed with these words. Wording (Stanzas 3,4 and 5 only). When the poem was first printed in The Times on 2. September 1. 91. 4 the word . This word was also used in the anthology The Winnowing Fan: Poems of the Great War in 1. If the original publication had contained a misprint, Binyon would have had the chance to make amendments, so it seems unlikely that the word . The issue of which word was meant seems to have arisen only in Australia, with little debate in other Commonwealth countries that mark Remembrance Day. In Australia's Returned and Services Leagues, and in New Zealand's numerous RSAs, it is read out nightly at 6 p. In Australia and New Zealand it is also part of the Dawn service at 4. ![]() In Canadian remembrance services, a French translation. Several Boer War memorials are inscribed with the phrase showing its use pre WWI. In the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, the final line of the ode, . In Canada, the second stanza of the above extract has become known as the Act of Remembrance, and the final line is also repeated. It is mostly read by a British serviceman. ![]()
The recital is followed by a minute of silence. Like the Menin Gate, the Australian War Memorial incorporates the Ode into its Last Post Ceremony, where it is read by a member of the Australian Defence Force and is followed by a minute of silence and a bugler playing the Last Post. Musical settings. Neither composer was responsible for this, and Elgar initially offered to withdraw but was persuaded to continue by the literary and art critic Sidney Colvin and by Binyon himself. Nottingham- based composer Alex Patterson also wrote a setting of the text in 2. The recording itself is undated and appeared on a 7. Japan. Other Great War poets heard on the CD include Siegfried Sassoon, Edmund Blunden, Robert Graves, David Jones and Edgell Rickword. Directed by Dan Curtis. With Robert Mitchum, Jane Seymour, Hart Bochner, Victoria Tennant. Natalie and Aaron spend four days traveling to Auschwitz; on arrival, one. Commemorate Your Hero in Timeforremembrance.com Remembering Heroes in Time. Unique Horological Archive recording WW1 WW2 Stories & Images of Timepieces owned by. The pair officially called it quits ahead of Season 4, leaving the former South Carolina politician to raise their two children on his own. When it comes to his relationship with Kathryn, Thomas tells People their split was in the best interest of their kids. He explained that he’s been conscious of shielding them from “conflict.” Thomas, 5. Kathryn’s relationship was full of negativity, which he felt was detrimental to Kensington, 3, and Saint, 1 — without whom the Bravo star may have tried to make it work.“Conflict is something I’ve tried to shield the children from,” he shared. It was a children- first decision.”Read: . Keith Thurman won a split decision over Danny Garcia on Saturday night to become the unified welterweight division champion. Thurman (28-0, one no-decision) added. Why “Southern Charm” star Thomas Ravenel says he and Kathryn Dennis’ split was for the best. How are magicians able to fool us? Gustav Kuhn, a cognitive psychologist at Goldsmiths, University of London, explains why card tricks aren't really magic - we're. Americans in a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll rate the Affordable Care Act as President Obama's. Video Shows Officer’s Split-Second Decision Not to Shoot Grand Prairie canine officer faces tough decision at end of chase By. He told People he’s a hands- on dad and has been “doing it myself.” The “Southern Charm” star says he thinks it’s important that his kids have a solid understanding of manners, discipline and boundaries.“I think that’s a form of love,” Thomas told People. Kathryn, on the other hand, is focused on herself and staying sober. In a separate interview with People released on April 4, she opened up about her portrayal on “Southern Charm” Season 4. ![]() She claimed that she wasn’t fazed by the drama, though she did struggle to watch her custody battle with Thomas play out before Bravo’s cameras.“There are so many days when I just see a toy or something randomly misplaced and break down in tears,” she said. While she’s not able to be as involved in the lives of her children as she’d like to be, Kathryn maintains that she’s sober, happy and has been true to herself. She told ET Online she’s doing “great, better than ever.” She added that her rehab stint helped her get clean and taught her important life skills, suggesting it might be helpful for “everyone” to go at some point in their lives.“You know, it’s been a long haul. But I feel more me than I’ve ever felt in a long time,” she said. What I went through wasn’t just addressing drug, alcohol whatever; it was more beneficial in life skills. And honestly, in a way, I think everyone should go to some type of rehab . And I think that’s really been key.”While neither Thomas nor Kathryn can really dive too deep into their on- going custody battle and other related issues, viewers can watch them unfold on “Southern Charm” Season 4. The show airs Mondays at 9 p. EDT on Bravo.“Southern Charm” star Thomas Ravenel opens up about his very public split, raising his children alone. Lydia Ko Speaks About Her Split From David Leadbetter For First Time. When David Leadbetter announced on December 7 that he was parting ways with Lydia Ko, he said that he believed Ko’s father, Gil Hong Ko, and her, mother, Tina, were heavily involved in the decision to fire him. Leadbetter thought they were also behind the firing of Lydia’s caddie, Jason Hamilton, during the Asian swing this fall.“My parting words to Lydia were that I think she needs to take control of her life and her golf game,” Leadbetter said. She isn’t 1. 5 anymore; she’s nearly 2. Her parents have done a great job bringing her up and getting her to a certain level, but she is old enough now to where she should be making her own decisions.”Now, a little more than a week later, the Rolex world No. I think I have, yes, sometimes been too reliant on my parents because I am so used to being with them. But I think I need to learn more about taking ownership and making my own decisions.”Ko continued, . They gave their opinions, too. But at the end of the day I made the final decision to change. My parents are a big part of my golfing career and I know I wouldn’t be here without them. She's reportedly switching to PXG equipment in advance of 2. I think playing my first tournament of the 2. I will get a whole new feeling, just like playing in the Bahamas in my first event as a rookie,” said Ko. Hopefully these changes will give me more confidence.”. Stream Free For All: Inside The Public Library online in english with english subtitles 1080p 16:96/8/2017 Free Public Library OnlineFREE FOR ALL: Inside the Public Library Kickstarter Campaign. FREE FOR ALL - Project. All across America, the public library is the only civic institution where the doors are open to all, attendance is entirely voluntary, and everything is free. The Issue. What does the public library mean to you and your community? More people are using their library than ever before. Yet our libraries are in danger. With public libraries around the nation facing drastic budget cuts, closures, privatization, and skyrocketing technology costs, now is the ideal time to spark a national dialogue about the American Public Library’s future. Help support the first major documentary about public libraries in America. We can’t do it without you!! Across America, in over 1. And yet there has never been a major documentary about this vital institution. What is it about our public library that movements as divergent as the Tea Party, Occupy Wall Street, and religious homeschoolers all extol it as their model of democracy- in- action? Why are people using their local libraries in record numbers? What would our country look like without its libraries? We’ll watch these questions unfold in a rollicking and visually rich cross- country adventure that takes us through America’s grandest and most humble libraries. The Multi- Platform Project. Free for All: Inside the Public Library has two other major components: a series of short web videos and a national storytelling booth where library users share their personal library stories. We are currently designing an interactive website that will host these short- form videos. ![]() In the meantime, we are regularly uploading examples of them to our Facebook page and our You. Tube channel. Please click the links to watch.
Shattered : inside Hillary Clinton's doomed campaign. We have shaped our multi- platform project to reflect this. We want to engage at the grassroots level as well as spark a national dialogue about the future of this American institution that has been a cornerstone of our democracy for the past 1. Free Public Library Of PhiladelphiaFREE FOR ALL: Inside the Public Library is a. Free for ALL: Inside the Public Library - Documentary & New. FREE FOR ALL: INSIDE THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. ALL: Inside the Public Library - Documentary & New Media. Free For All: Inside the Public Library. Ended over 2 years ago. ![]() Mubarakan - Latest News, Videos, Photos. Country. Afghanistan. Albania. Algeria. American Samoa. Andorra. Angola. Anguilla. Antarctica. Antigua and Barbuda. Argentina. Armenia. Aruba. Australia. Austria. Azerbaijan. Bahamas. Bahrain. Bangladesh. Barbados. Belarus. Belgium. Belize. Benin. Bermuda. Bhutan. Bolivia. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Botswana. Bouvet Island. Brazil. British Antarctic Territory. British Indian Ocean Territory. British Virgin Islands. Brunei. Bulgaria. Burkina Faso. Burundi. Cambodia. Cameroon. Canada. Canton and Enderbury Islands. Cape Verde. Cayman Islands. Central African Republic. Mubarakan (2017) is a Upcoming Hindi bollywood Comedy Movie which is being directed by Anees Bazmee and produced by Murad Khetani, Ashwin Varde. Chad. Chile. China. Christmas Island. Cocos . Minor Outlying Islands. U. S. Miscellaneous Pacific Islands. U. S. Virgin Islands. Uganda. Ukraine. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. United Arab Emirates. United Kingdom. United States. Unknown or Invalid Region. View movie stills of Bollywood movie Mubarakan starring Arjun Kapoor & Athiya Shetty in the lead role. Writers: Rajesh Chawla, Balwinder Singh Janjua. Uruguay. Uzbekistan. Vanuatu. Vatican City. Venezuela. Vietnam. Wake Island. Wallis and Futuna. Western Sahara. Yemen. Zambia. Zimbabwe. The shoot of Anees Bazmee’s Mubarakan has wrapped up in London, with veteran actor Anil Kapoor bidding goodbye to the team on an emotional note. Mubarakan Bollywood Movie - Catch up the latest news about Mubarakan hindi movie, Mubarakan movie review, previews, story, Arjun Kapoor's Mubarakan Story, wiki. Check out Mubarakan latest news, videos, photos, songs, box office & cast. Get the complete latest details of Mubarakan only at Bollywood Hungama. Anees Bazmee's Mubarakan has generated huge anticipation for the movie way before its release. In these recent pictures from the film, we can comprehend that Arjun. Mubarakan: Ileana D'Cruz Shares Details And Pic From Anil Kapoor, Arjun's New Film Ileana D'Cruz shared a black and white picture of Anil Kapoor along with Arjun and. A sneak peek at Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor starrer Mubarakan - watch video. Nothing gets the audience as excited as the prospect of real life relatives coming together onscreen. Be it the first time that Ranbir Kapoor worked with his parents in Besharam or the time when Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan starred together in Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya – the audience is curious to see the real- life chemistry on celluloid. While it may not directly translate into numbers at the ticket windows, it does help generate a buzz around the film, becoming a handy tool for promotions. This is exactly the reason why Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor starrer Mubarakan has garnered attention ever since the cast of the film was announced. The film has Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor playing uncle and nephew, which they are in real life too. This is the first time that the uncle- nephew jodi has collaborated for a movie and that explains the fans’ excitement for the film. Mubarakan also features two female leads – Ileana D’Cruz and Athiya Shetty. The film has now gone on the floors and the shooting of the film has begun in the quiet locality of Weybridge in Surrey near London. A crew member from the sets of the film has shared a video of the set on his Instagram account. It seems like the makers of the film are shooting the night scenes first. From the look of it, the sets seem to be quite a spectacle! Check out the video below. However, it will be the first time that the director will work with Arjun Kapoor. The film is slated for release on July 2. Text by Ankita Chaurasia). Mubarakan Romantic Comedy Film Story-plot revealed: Story revolves around Couple Arjun Kapoor and Anil Kapoor, the nephew uncle Jodi, are going to be seen together in. Mubarakan movie full information like wiki, story, star cast, wallpaper, profile info and more about Anil Kapoor look in Mubarakan, Mubarakan movie latest news. Quinoa vs Whole Wheat. There is a whole lot of pasta eaten in my household. It’s my go- to dinner when I have no idea what to cook. I always have a few boxes of whole wheat pasta in the cupboard, so I can just throw together whatever I have on hand to make a healthy, yummy dinner. Not long ago, I was in the grocery store, and I spotted Ezekiel sprouted grain pasta and thought, . When trying a new, healthy food, my litmus test is to NOT tell Fran, then gauge his reaction. If he loves it, or doesn’t even notice the difference, he can’t later claim to dislike the healthy alternative. I cooked up the Ezekiel noodles, taste- tested one to see if it was al dente. And there’s very little in the way of health foods that I dislike. I threw the cooked pasta out, and the half- full box went right after it. Then I posted a helpful warning to Facebook: My trainer friend Erich commented I should try quinoa pasta instead (this was actually one of his tips when I canvassed all my fitness friends for their best advice). I was gun- shy after this experience, but he assured me it was way better. So I went and bought this Quinoa/Corn rotelle and did another Don’t- Tell- Fran- He’s- Not- Eating- Real- Pasta experiment. Taste Test – Quinoa vs Whole Wheat Pasta. The taste was not markedly different to whole- wheat pasta, but the texture was different – it actually reminded me of egg noodles. It was a little softer and doesn’t have that kind of gritty texture to it. And the husband litmus test? It went something like this: Me: “So, you like the dinner?”Fran: “Yes, it’s delicious. I always like pasta.”Me: “You think the noodles are good?”Fran: “Okay, what am I eating now? Do I even want to know?”So it’s officially an approved dinner staple now. What Are the Health Benefits of Quinoa vs. Whole Wheat Pasta? Since I often cook meatless dishes (we’re not vegetarians, but we don’t eat a lot of meat), I’m always looking for new protein sources to supplement my veggie meals. Quinoa is a great source of protein and the obvious benefit for many people is that it’s gluten- free, so if you’re Celiac or just gluten intolerant, it’s a great alternative to wheat pasta. Here are the face- off stats, so you can see the pros for each type of pasta: As you can see, it really depends on your health needs as to which is the better choice for you. Then your only decision is how to serve your pasta. I love my delicious pasta recipe, with bacon, kale, parmesan and pine nuts. I also love using Oh She Glows’ avocado sauce for a simple (and uh- mazing) dinner with a salad. According to WHFoods quinoa. Quinoa vs Whole Wheat. Wonder what the difference is between whole-wheat and quinoa pasta? Check out the benefits (and the taste!) of both. Angela, this looks perfect! I am going to make it for lunch for my family today. We love the basic ingredients: black beans, quinoa, kale, and sweet potatoes especially!! Have you tried any new foods recently? Hit or miss? Vegetarian friends, what are your favorite ways to incorporate protein into pasta dishes? I share photos of running, workouts, my adorable boys and more on Instagram! ![]() Ingredients-1 cup quinoa, uncooked-3 large chicken breasts, thawed-7 cups chicken stock-5 large carrots, sliced-5 celery sticks, sliced-1 teaspoon parsley.Make this Cashew Chicken Quinoa Bake for a high-protein, one-dish meal that the whole family will love! Meal prep at its finest! Easy to prepare, these quinoa veggie rolls take traditional sushi to a new level. Healthy and nutritious, they make a great light lunch or anytime snack. Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups are the perfect, poppable, gluten-free breakfast or snack recipe. Easy, delicious and loved by kids and adults alike! ![]() ![]()
How to Name an Abortion Clinic. Don't worry, this comic isn't nearly as offensive as it sounds. Belk Bowl in the Community. Learn how the Belk Bowl’s commitment to the Charlotte community and the service projects the teams participate in. Define ridiculous: extremely silly or unreasonable — ridiculous in a sentence. On an all-new episode of Ridiculousness, Rob, Chanel and Sterling spot some "Man Dolphins" and get wet in the category "Dammmmp Daniel.". Ridiculousness Episodes![]() A Friend in Need or The Trail of Tears (2 Samuel 1. Introduction. When I was growing up, my parents bought an old fishing resort which the original owners had homesteaded, and my father named the resort, “Pioneer Park.” My folks had a great number of friends over the years, but once they owned a place on the lake, the number of “friends” seemed to increase. Normally, a nominal fee was charged for a family to come to our resort to swim, picnic, use our restroom facilities (outhouses), and build a fire in our outdoor stoves (using firewood I helped cut, haul, and stack). Every once in a while a car would drive in, and rather than pay the 5. We really just wanted to get to know you better. The one thing which always seems to separate the first from the last is adversity. When things get tough, “friends” get going. In our text, we see some of David's “friends,” and some of his true friends. The adversity he faces makes the distinction between these two kinds of friends very clear. You may remember that David's sin of adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, led to the added sin of the murder of Uriah. After God prepared David's heart for rebuke (see Psalm 3. Nathan approached David with a heart- rending story, one which stirred David's emotions and prompted him to condemn the guilty party. However this expression is also true in a good sense. Samuel Masham, 1st Baron Masham Samuel Masham, 1st Baron Masham (1678. Duchess of Marlborough – her closest friend up until now – could ever be true friends again. God calls himself the only true deity worthy. Samuel’s stoic and aloof position in Israel. Job scorns false contrition and the advice of his friends. Eleven » » Jonathan David’s true friend, Hebrews 11:34 and 1 Samuel 14:1-14 Jonathan David’s true friend, Hebrews 11:34 and 1 Samuel. Read 1 Samuel 8 commentary using Matthew Henry Commentary on the. It was true that Samuel was old;.![]() Nathan then indicted David for his sin involving Bathsheba and Uriah, assuring him he would not die for his sin had been taken away, but telling him some of the painful consequences his sin would bring about: 1. Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' 1. Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.”' 1. Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die” (2 Samuel 1. David son has already died, his daughter Tamar has been raped by her brother, Amnon, and Amnon has been murdered by Absalom. Absalom fled for asylum with his grandfather, the king of Geshur. Absalom remained in Geshur for about two years, until Joab deceptively compelled David to bring his son back to Jerusalem. David seems to have kept his son under house arrest until Absalom would have no more of it, and he finally was given freedom to go about Jerusalem. During this period of relative freedom, Absalom turned the hearts of the Israelites away from David and toward himself. Having done so, he obtained permission from David to go to Hebron, ostensibly to fulfill a vow, but in truth to initiate his rebellion against David and claim the kingdom as his own. When we come to our text, word comes to David that the people's allegiance has turned to Absalom, and that a full- scale rebellion is about to occur. It is at this point that David decides to flee from Jerusalem, along with many of his followers. Just who will be numbered among his followers who accompany him (and who will remain behind in Jerusalem) will be determined by whether or not they are true friends of David. Our Approach in this Lesson. I believe the author has indicated his organizational structure in this portion of Scripture, and that it is both chronological and geographical. When David flees from Jerusalem, he will head to the north and west. He will go as far as the wilderness, on the western side of the Jordan River, and there he will await word concerning Absalom's plans. When he learns that Absalom will pursue and attack, David crosses the Jordan and heads farther north. The structure of our text is arranged according to stops David makes on his way from Jerusalem to the wilderness. The first scene is in Jerusalem, where David gets the report from Hebron and makes the decision to flee. Likewise, the last scene is in Jerusalem, where Absalom has arrived, and where he possesses David's ten concubines who have been left behind. The second scene is at “the last house,” as David is leaving Jerusalem. The third is at the brook Kidron, and the fourth is on the ascent of the Mount of Olives. The fifth scene takes place just over the summit of the Mount of Olives, and the sixth at Bahurim. At each place, there will be an encounter with a “friend” or a true friend of David. Scene 1: At the Palace in Jerusalem (1. Then a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” 1. David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, for otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom. Go in haste, or he will overtake us quickly and bring down calamity on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 1. Then the king's servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses.” 1. So the king went out and all his household with him. But the king left ten concubines to keep the house. A messenger comes to David with a report he is not eager to hear: “The hearts of the people are with Absalom.” I suspect it is a message David dreaded would come sooner or later. He cannot be ignorant of the way Absalom is undermining his reign as king and setting himself up as David's replacement. David does not doubt or dispute the report. In fact, David even admits that if they do not flee immediately, Absalom will not only attack the city of Jerusalem, but will kill the king and any of his followers. Notice that the messenger's report, as conveyed to the reader, does not indicate that Absalom has already “blown the trumpet,” declaring himself king (see 1. Neither is it said that Absalom is actually marching on the city. But it is apparent that this is assumed. If it has not already happened, it will happen very soon. This is the time to act. David reluctantly accepts the report and acts on it. His servants tell him they are ready to do whatever he commands. I take it this would include defending David and Jerusalem from Absalom's attack. But instead of giving the order to prepare for battle, David gives the order to prepare to flee from Jerusalem. Here is the man who did not hesitate to stand up to Goliath when no one else was willing to do so, including Saul himself. Here is the man who, when insulted by Nabal (1 Samuel 2. Why is David so eager to flee rather than to fight? The first thing we should understand is that in fleeing from Jerusalem, David has not indicated his intention to abdicate the throne. This is why he leaves ten concubines behind, to “keep the house” (1. He is leaving town, but he is not leaving his throne. Absalom may seize it, but this will not be because David has handed in his resignation. The concubines are a symbol of David's continuing reign over Israel. There are a number of reasons David makes the decision to flee, even though he will not abdicate. First, David knows that God will bring about troubles in his kingdom, from within his own family. If the rebellion of Absalom is a part of the divine discipline he has brought upon himself, David is not sure whether he should resist it. If this is of God, will David be fighting against God to fight against this rebellion? David clearly indicates his intention to wait until he has a sense of certainty about what he should do: 2. The king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the LORD, then He will bring me back again and show me both it and His habitation. But if He should say thus, 'I have no delight in you,' behold, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.” 2. The king said also to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace and your two sons with you, your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. See, I am going to wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me” (2 Samuel 1. Furthermore, David may be concerned about the welfare of those who dwell in Jerusalem. Will he be placing them in danger by staying behind and fighting to defend the city? From Psalm 5. 1: 1. Jerusalem were not completed, thus making it more difficult to defend at this point in time. Finally, we know that David loves Absalom. He does not want to precipitate a fight with him because he does not wish to kill him (see 2 Samuel 1. Why start a fight you are not willing to win? Absalom is ready and willing to kill David, and others if necessary; David is not willing to kill Absalom. And so it is that David chooses flight over a fight. Scene Two: At the “Last House” (1. The king went out and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house. Now all his servants passed on beside him, all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had come with him from Gath, passed on before the king. Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why will you also go with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place. You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander with us, while I go where I will? Return and take back your brothers; mercy and truth be with you.” 2. But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be.” 2 Therefore David said to Ittai, “Go and pass over.” So Ittai the Gittite passed over with all his men and all the little ones who were with him. It appears that David and those who intend to flee with him have formed a procession leading out of town. At the “last house” David pauses, as he allows those going with him to pass on ahead of him. Core Church LA: True Friends (1st Samuel 1. Pastor Steve Wilburn. True Friends Speak The Truth. True Friends Stand For Each Other 3. True Friends Are A Hedge Of Safety. |