2 Samuel

2 Samuel 19:1-4

David was overcome with grief at the loss of Absalom.  This grief was focused on him and on his feelings.  All those whom David led and served him and won a great victory for the Lord that day.  But there was celebration; they had done well but now the king was sad.  The people felt ashamed & confused.  The rebellion was over, but the king mourned. 

David's grief was probably around his own failings as a father.  This is not what he wanted to happen.  He had to be asking how did it come to this?  What had he done?  Yet, he knew.  He had made a place for sin in his life and in Israel. 

2 Samuel 19:5-8

Sometimes you need the words of truth from a faithful friend to give you the spiritual kick in the seat we need.  Joab was one of those people in David's life and he delivered that correction.  David was having a pity party.   Joab points out that a lot of people worked to save his life and the lives of his family, yet David disgraced them.  He was showing more concern for Absalom than any of those who saved him.  Joab warned that things were about to get worse if he didn't make ammends with the people.   

David went out to the gate and received the people who fought for him.  This was the assuming his place of authority.  It showed the people that he did care about their sacrifice and loyalty to him. 

2 Samuel 19:9-14

David wouldn't return to the throne without being accepted there.  He would not force himself on the people.  All of Israel had seen that David defeated the Philistines and had been good for him.  Even though they ordained Absalom they now saw that was a mistake.  The priests brought the words of David to the people trying to sway them to see that they should call David back to rule from his throne.  They were finally united as one voice calling for David to return.

2 Samuel 19:15-23

David was crossing the Jordan to return to Jerusalem.  The folks who had stayed behind when he fled started coming out to meet him to win favor back with him.  Judah came to him as an escort, but also Shimei, Ziba and his family along with others from the Benjamites.  Those from the tribe of Judah were celebrating and welcoming David back.  Shimei had called David a bloodthirsty rogue and threw rocks at him when he was at his lowest on the run from Absalom.  This man is throwing himself on the mercy of David.  We might remember from 2 Samuel 16 that Ziba had lied to David about Mephibosheth.  He used the circumstances to his advantage and maipulated David for his own gain while leaving Mephibosheth.  He would be found out; he was also seeking mercy.

Shimei was first to prostrate himself before the king.  He confessed his sin and disloyalty and asked David not to remember his sin.  Abashi is there to remind them what this man deserved.  David pardons him and forgives him.

2 Samuel 19:24-30

David thought that Mephibosheth had stayed behind and served Absalom instead of following him.  Mephibosheth explains that Ziba had decieved him, betrayed him and slandered him before the king.  Mephibosheth had already expereienced the love and mercy of David far beyond what he deserved.  He wasn't worried about getting all his possessions back, he only wanted David on the throne.

2 Samuel 19:31-39

Barzilla was a rich old man who had helped David.  David offers him a place in Jerusalem but he declined preferring to stay in his home town.  There was nothing for him in Jerusalem.  The kindness he had shown David was done so from the heart, not to be repaid or earn favor with the king.  Barzilla ssent Chimham in his place; this was probably Barzilla's son. 

2 Samuel 19:40-43

The ten tribes of Israel felt left out of the celebration; it was like little children that didn't get to go.  They were claiming a loyalty and a place in David's presence as much as anyone else.  This division and riff between the groups would grow until it separated the nation into two kingdoms.

©2016 Doug Ford