2 Samuel

2 Samuel 16:1-4

There is intrigue, pride and mystery at every corner.  Everyone is positioning for power, profit or just to prevent injury.  Ziba was a former servant of Saul and now a servant of Mephibosheth.  He told David that Mephibosheth was pleased that David had left and that the kingdom that belonged to Saul would return to his family soon.  The implication was that David and Absalom would destroy each other and Mephibosheth would step in and rule as king.  We'll see later in 19:24, 25 that this was a false accusation.  David was already heartbroken and down, Ziba just adds to it telling him that another friend had betrayed him.  David isn't aware of Ziba's lie, taking this man at face value; he rewards Ziba for telling him this news.  The acts of Ziba seem consistent with Saul and some who served under him. 

2 Samuel 16:5-8

He accepts the curse when this man from Saul's family cursed him and threw rocks at him.  This man obviously had a loyalty to Saul that had never went away.  Once David was in trouble, Shimei felt empowered to criticize David.  This had to be hard to listen to but it was meaningless accusations.  The man was incorrect saying that God was doing this because of Saul.  He was simply venting.  This venting could not build up the house of Saul or improve that situation in any way; it was simply to destroy David, to kick him while he was down.  Satan is a master at this and always looking for someone that can be used in this way.  It's an easy trap to fall into and Christians must guard against this. 

2 Samuel 16:9-14

David declares that the guy was speaking what the Lord told him.   While the enemy meant this abuse tobreak David down, David declares that the Lord can speak through this situation.  God put him on the throne and God could remove him.  David recognized that God was sovereign over this situation.  David was at the mercy of a merciful God and not at the mercy of the Shimei's of the world.  You have to admire Abashai's loyalty and wilingness to be rid of this man, but David would just let him be.  It's interesting that they find themselves refreshed; finding peace in this crazy situation they find themselves in.

2 Samuel 16:15-23

Hushai, David's friend, professes his allegiance to Absalom.  David sent Hushai back to Jerusalem and he was going to act as a spy within Abaslom's court.  Hushai was to offer bad council to offset the normally wise counsel of Ahithophel.  But bitterness had poisoned Ahithophel's wisdom.  He was Bathsheba's grandfather and wanted revenge on David.  His judgment and wise counsel was nullified by his own anger and bitterness.

Ahithophel advised Absalom to sleep with the concubines of David's harem.  This was not just morally offensive to Israel but it was also an act of rebellion.  It was Absalom taking his Father's place.  The tent on the roof of the palace would be the most public and visible place.  This fulfills the prophecy of Nathan spoke in 12:11, 12.  One has to wonder if it was on that same roof that David looked and saw Bathsheba. 

©2016 Doug Ford