Read: 2 Samuel 18:1 – 19:8
Having received news of an
impending battle, David rallies his men to prepare for combat, dividing his
army into three groups under the commands of Joab, Abishai and Ittai. Despite
the pushback and disgrace David has endured from enemies, he has a strong
support of true friends. David has gained allegiance – men who have rallied
around him, not because they owe it to him or are afraid of his power, but
because they truly love him and desire to have him as their king. What evidence
of God’s faithfulness! How wonderful that God’s plan to sustain His servant,
David, included friendship! And his friends will not allow David to fight in
battle; he is their king and they will protect him. David agrees, asking his
men to deal gently with Absalom. In other words – bring David’s son back alive.
The battle rages and David’s
armies conquer the army of Israel, leaving a bloody field in their wake.
David’s armies used the surrounding forest to their advantage – apparently it
was hard for the enemy to navigate through the thick woods. And it is in these
woods where David’s men find Absalom, suspended in the air, his head (likely
his hair) caught in an oak tree. Absalom was extremely handsome and his hair
was a source of pride for him. In fact, the author tells us that he would cut
and weigh his hair once every year (2 Sam 14:25-26) – a random little tidbit
until we get to part of the story where Absalom is killed. He had lived his
life to serve his pride, and now his pride and joy was his ruin.
Though David had asked his men
to bring Absalom back safely, Joab will not stand for such mercy. He likely
assumed Absalom would continue in his treachery and so he and his
armour-bearers finish Absalom off. When David hears of Absalom’s death, he
falls apart. His supporters are left in an awkward position. They have just
shown their incredible allegiance to their king and have just received great
victory in battle, but the one they fought to defend is not celebrating. Instead
of feasting and rejoicing, the people snuck back into the city as though they
were ashamed! Joab is disgusted and has a brave conversation with the king,
calling him to rise up and show his people some respect: “You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who
have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and
the lives of your wives and your concubines, because you love those who hate
you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders
and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive
and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased.” Bold words to
say to your king – but necessary. Joab reminds David of all those who have been
saved on this day. In fact, God answered David’s prayer from Psalm 3: “Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For You
strike all my enemies on the cheek; You break the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be on Your people.” There is a
time for mourning, but David was focusing only on the death of his son and
neglecting his duty as king. Leadership comes with tough responsibilities.
David was placed by God as king of Israel, and this was a hat David would wear
till death. Even personal tragedy could not remove him from his calling.
In Ecclesiastes 3, we find the
famous passage, “A Time for Everything.” Not only did God create the universe
and mankind, but He created time
itself. What a mind-blowing thought! And because of time, we have moments; we have
hours and days, seasons and years. Time allows us to create rhythms – to speak,
read and make music. And over the course of our lives, we will experience so
much – death and birth, sorrow and joy, plenty and want. But life is unpredictable,
and sometimes these “times” intersect. This is where we find David in this
story – a time of rejoicing and victory intersects with a time of mourning and
loss. Such is the messiness of life. What a comfort, then, to know that our God
is faithful and unaffected by our circumstances.
Of course he cares for us in our
worry and uncertainty, but there is nothing that causes Him to tremble. He is
completely sovereign – the Most High and Almighty One! Hallelujah!
JORUNALING AND PRAYER
1. Are
you in a particular season of life right now? Do you feel the messiness that
David felt when multiple “times” bombarded him at once? Ask God for His wisdom
and direction in this season. How does He want you to handle this time?
Meditate on the truth that He is the Most High, that He is completely sovereign
during this time.
2. Ask
God how you can give support of someone who is going through a difficult time
right now. Spend some time praying for that person.
3. Ask
God to show you an area of selfishness in your life – a way that you are being
self-absorbed. Confess your selfishness and ask God to give you a step of
obedience that will help you to be more outward in this area.
