Read 2
Samuel 17-18 & Luke
21:1-19
To discover:
As you read note the stages in God’s restoration of David.
To ponder:
In humility David entrusted himself
to God’s favour (15v25, 16v12), and here we see God’s favour to him granted. The
tension builds as Ahithophel’s advice to Absalom is pitted against Hushai’s,
David’s spy. The former advises speedy attack so David’s allies flee and he can
be killed. The latter subverts this by suggesting David would not be caught and
might attack first, causing Absalom’s followers to fear. Instead, to buy David
time, he urges Absalom to wait and gather “all Israel”
to ensure David is definitely defeated. We are told why Absalom followed
Hushai’s advice: It was God’s doing, “to bring disaster on Absalom” (17v14). And
so we can assume it was God’s hand too that protected the priests sons who were
to pass Hushai’s information to David (17v17-21). The LORD is well able to
govern circumstances to protect his people.
It
seems Ahithophel realises how disastrous Hushai’s advice is, as he hangs
himself (17v23) - a fitting end for a traitor of God’s anointed (think Judas,
Matt 27v5). Hearing that he has some time, David then crosses the Jordan
river and fortifies himself in Mahanaim. And Absalom follows with “all
the men of Israel.”
17v25-29 record the key individuals standing with Absalom against David and
those who assist David. These details remind us everyone’s response to Christ
as God’s king is important. Indeed, it is recorded (Rev 20v12).
David
arranges his troops and wants to fight himself, but his men tell him not to as
he is Absalom’s target and too important. He therefore remains in the town
whilst his men march out, but gives them strict instructions to “be gentle with
Absalom.” David’s army are victorious, but the twenty thousand from both sides
who die stress the wide implications David’s sin with Bathsheba is having.
God’s hand
against Absalom is seen in the unlikely and humiliating manner of his death
(17v9). One of those who sees, tells Joab (one of David’s commanders), saying
he didn’t kill Absalom for fear of David if he disobeyed his command. Joab has
no such qualms, killing Absalom and having his armour bearers hack at him too. This
was a just penalty for Absalom, and a sensible move, in removing his threat to
the throne. But it was still to disobey God’s king.
There is an
ironic contrast then between the pit Absalom was thrown in with a pile of rocks
over him and the pillar we are immediately told he erected as “a monument to
himself,” as he had no son (presumably those in 14v27 had died). This gives us
needful perspective. No matter how great someone considers themselves, or seems
according to the world, to stand against Christ will mean they are eventually
reduced to nothing.
The
drama around the breaking of the news to David brings home David’s utter grief
when he hears of Absalom’s death. Joab realises that because of this even news
of the victory will not mean “reward” for the messenger. As the runners approach,
three times David hopes it must be “good news,” but as soon as told of the
victory asks after his son. Ahimaaz doesn’t have the courage to tell the whole
truth, but the Cushite, not having been told David’s feelings, does. Despite
all Absalom had done, David “shakes” and “grieves,” wishing he had died
instead. At first read this seems incredibly gracious. But in truth, it is a
slight on the nation who Absalom had led into rebellion, war and death. Moreover,
it is a slight on God who was to be praised for delivering Israel
and restoring the throne to David (18v28, 32). God’s honour and purposes are to
be our greatest concern, as even the fallible Eli showed (1 Sam 4v12-18).
David’s grief
also displays the personal pain his sin with Bathsheba eventually brought him
as punishment from God. These events warn us all of the wide and destructive
repercussions sin can have.
Praying it home:
Thank God that entrusting ourselves
to his favour through Christ is always repaid. Pray that you would not forget
the potential destructiveness of sin.
Thinking further:
None today.
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