II Samuel Chapter 19
Please read: II Samuel 19 –
David had been through a lot in his life. And having to escape from the attempted takeover of his throne by his own son, Absalom, was traumatizing. Then learning that his son was killed in battle seemed to put David over the edge in grief and despair. David had every right to grieve the loss of his son, but his excessive grieving was a response to forgetting that God was in control and that he had been anointed and protected by the God of this universe. David allowed his circumstances to consume his thoughts rather than to lean into the one who had set him as king over all of Israel.
Joab was just the type of harsh man that would wake David from his destructive despair. The people needed a leader, and they needed to feel good about the victory they had just had in battle. And the rest of the chapter seems to be filled with accounts of people that came to David expressing some sense of their loyalty to him and his throne. Some had been deceitful and some even threw curses and rocks at him previously, like Shimei did (chapter 16). But all of these individuals were people who reminded David in one way or another that he had a purpose for living. He was their king.
Let's Reflect
1. We learn in verse 32 that while David was on the other side of the Jordan, he stayed in the town of Mahanaim. He was staying in a house and perhaps he stayed in Barzillai’s home, the man who prepared food for the king. It was in this home that David had been grieving, and where Joab delivered his shocking speech to get him to go outside and offer kind words to the people who had fought so valiantly on his behalf. Joab told him to go to the gate of the town and speak to the people or what would happen to his kingdom?
2. The men who had sided with Absalom were now without a leader. They realized that they had been wrong and remembered what David had done for the whole country. They wanted their king back on the throne. But the priests had not called David to return to the throne. The outcry of the people even reached David. He was not going to usurp authority over the people; he waited to be invited. What message did David send to the priests?
3. Amasa was the general of Abasalom’s army and had most likely been taken captive by David’s army. Now Amasa is urged to convince the people of Judah, the people who had previously been loyal to David, that they should unite and invite their king back to the throne. What did David also promise Amasa? This was a move that would help unite the country as well.
4. The plan worked, Amasa was successful and David was invited to return. Many from Judah travelled to the Jordan to meet David to show their loyalty. One man who had thrown rocks at David previously, Shimei, offered a genuine apology to David. The men still thought that Shimei should be killed, but what did David promise this man who offered a genuine apology and showed true repentance?
5. The servant Ziba who had lied about Mephibosheth also showed up, as did Mephibosheth. David finally heard the whole story and revoked his promise to Ziba, giving him only half of Saul’s property. What did Mephibosheth (Saul’s grandson), think about that? See verse 30.
6. Barzillai, the man that had prepared food for David while he was in hiding also came to meet him at the Jordan. David invited him to come with him to Jerusalem. What was Barzillai’s response?
7. Verse 40 tells us that there was a great show of support by the people, escorting David back to take the throne in Jerusalem. How many people came?
8. The remaining verses describe a ridiculous argument between the men of Israel and the men of Judah. They argued over who had shown David more loyalty and who was the first to speak up and invite David back to his throne. Which group prevailed and won the argument?
