II Samuel 19 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Joab begins our story as the active one; David the more passive one. The people supporting David return to Mahanaim but not in celebration. Absalom is dead and David is grieving for his son and maybe for the consequences of his own sin. Joab is right in some ways but wrong in oh, so many ways. Joab was right in not treating Absalom with kid gloves. Absalom was in armed rebellion against King David.
David could sense Absalom could (should?) die. He mourns without consolation. In verse 33 of chapter 18, David mourns and the same in 19:4. Joab feels he is going overboard. Joab is concerned that his mourning is being misinterpreted by the troops. But the rift between Joab and David is widening. Joab was not a military general who wanted to spend time or money on diplomats or diplomacy.
We find the King did talk to the people in v. 8 but we are never told what he said. In verse 9, Israel is in trouble. They supported Absalom who tried to usurp King David but was unsuccessful. So, would David exact revenge? After all, they were the ones who anointed Absalom. They were asking each other, `We need to reach out to David and quickly.’ So, David reaches out to Judah to make sure they would do the same. He goes through Zadok and Abiathar and appeals to their pride (Why should you be the last), to their relationship (you are my bone and my flesh) and to their fear (David appointed Amasa as commander – telegraphing forgiveness to those who followed Absalom since in II Sam 17:25, Amasa was commander in opposition to King David) (Dale R. Davis’s observations).
So, the people of Judah welcome and helps King David cross the Jordan. Now the mea culpa begins. First is Shimei who thought it would be a good idea to bring 1000 men from Benjamin behind him as he asked forgiveness from David. Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, was also there with his 15 sons and 20 servants were there to help the King. Then in verse 24, Mephibosheth greets the king. King David is skeptical of Mephibosheth’s loyalty. David had already given all his property to Ziba in 16:4. Now he hears Mephibosheth’s side of the story. After listening to Mephibosheth, David returns half of Mephibosheth’s property to him, and the other half will go to Ziba.
The wealthy farmer, Barzillai, who had provided for David and his men is offered a place at David’s table. But Barzillai refuses claiming at his age he prefers staying home. But he offers his son, Chimham, go with David which is agreeable to David. In this last section from vs. 41- 43, we see the splitting apart of the nation in stark relief. Judah and Israel are bickering amongst themselves. We see the beginning of what will come to fruition during Solomon’s reign – the divided kingdom (I Kings 12:16ff). Judah in the south and Israel in the north are fighting which is nothing new.
As you read the Old Testament closer, you will be able tease out tendencies in the 12 tribes. They rarely act for the good of the nation. These tribes act for their own self-interest to protect their tribe or their concerns. This is a rather maddening tendency. Thankfully we do not see this in the church. Rather we find groups and individuals advocating for others and putting others first. You can tell we are reading the O.T and learning from their mistakes. In fact, in our church is all peace and harmony. In fact, one never hears selfish words, or see Christians proud or angry in the church. All is sweetness and light.
As you read the Old Testament, look for the good traits of individuals. You really must dig and search hard, but those traits are there. You will more easily observe the flaws, the persistent sins, the idolatry, unfaithfulness and rebellion. How we resemble those believers! How often we criticize their choices, yet we resemble their sins. Apart from the obvious differences of donkeys, tents, and sheep we often do the very same things they did. The O.T. believers could not read the Old Testament, nor did they have the New Testament like we do. When we think of it like that, our sins look much worse than theirs.
The other observation you notice is that their spiritual lives, decisions, triumphs, and losses are lived out in everyday life. Sure, some are kings or prophets but many of these O.T. believers’ lives are not that unusual. Our spirituality is intended to be expressed in and through or work, raking leaves, preparing dinner, cleaning up, going to work, etc. Most of us lead rather mundane lives. We serve our Lord Jesus by going to work on time, completing our schoolwork, serving others with a meal when they are recovering from surgery, working, worshipping, and resting. Our everyday lives, as boring as they may be, is where God wants us to serve Him. Most do not leave our homes or communities to serve God; most of us serve God in the same house, same church that we always have.
Father, David was such a great and godly man, yet he made serious mistakes. His life was eventful, unstable, dangerous and full of Your presence and blessings. Our lives, by contrast, are not significant that people will write about our life story. Yet our lives are significant to You and others around us. Help us to be wise. Remind us that if You want us in a certain place, You will make that happen. We do not have to resort to ungodly means to get what we think God wants us to have. In Christ’s name. Amen.