11-10-13. 2 Samuel 19:24-43. BRINGING BACK THE KING-my devotional

Key Verse: 19:39                                                                                                                                                             Kevin E. Jesmer

“Then all the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. And the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own home.”

    Dear Lord heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of singing together. We could sing in church. We can sing in Bible study. We sing in our chorus’. And now we have the privilege and the blessing to practice and sing with the Websters. What a blessing it is. Lord, help us to uphold the high standard that they have with their singing. Help us to be a blessing and grow through this experience. Lord, I pray we can offer up our talents to you always. I pray for the people of the Philippines that they may receive the help they need. Heal their hearts and help them to recover. Protect the people of Vietnam from the upcoming typhoon. Please help me now to accept one word of God from this passage. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Part 1: Mephibosheth (24-30).

Verses 24-30, “And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety. 25 And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me, for your servant said to him, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ For your servant is lame. 27 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you. 28 For all my father’s house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?” 29 And the king said to him, “Why speak any more of your affairs? I have decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land.” 30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home.” (ESV)

One of those who came to meet David was Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson. Ziba had claimed that Mephibosheth stayed behind with a hope of becoming king; Mephibosheth said he had been betrayed by Ziba. What could David do? David blessed both men, ordering them to divide their fields. King David is very fair. David did the best that he could without getting into a huge legal battle and augment after argument. I believe Mephibosheth, but there is no way to be sure. He was willing to acquire no land at all despite of the offer of half. He also mourned and kept himself unkempt. He was not hiding the fact that he was loyal to David and waiting for his return. He loved David.

And David loved Mephibosheth because he kept his promise to Jonathan, David’s friend. David took great care of him though he was the grandson of his enemy, Saul. David was so gracious and treated him as one of his own sons. Mephibosheth was eternally thankful for that grace. I pray that I will always remember the grace given me, first of all by God himself through his forgiveness and blessings in Christ. And I also the grace given me by others. There have been many people who showed me the love of God and helped me in my time of need… and there were many. I thank God for them all and wish that I can meet with them again as Mephibosheth longed to meet with David. (I apologize to any whom I have neglected in my relationships.)

Part 2:, Barzillai (31-43).

Verses 31-43, “Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim, and he went on with the king to the Jordan, to escort him over the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. He had provided the king with food while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 And the king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will provide for you with me in Jerusalem.” 34 But Barzillai said to the king, “How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am this day eighty years old. Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or what he drinks? Can I still listen to the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will go a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you.” 38 And the king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you, and all that you desire of me I will do for you.” 39 Then all the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. And the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own home. 40 The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. All the people of Judah, and also half the people of Israel, brought the king on his way. 41 Then all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away and brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?” 42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is our close relative. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s expense? Or has he given us any gift?” 43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, and in David also we have more than you. Why then did you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.”      

David also greeted Barzillai the Gileadite with thanks for his support. He even offered to provide for him in Jerusalem, but since Barzillai was very old he declined. David accepted those who could be of no help to him-even those who hindered him-and crossed the Jordan in this way. He had the support of his subjects, the twelve tribes of Israel, even argued with each other about who should be first to bring the king back. David crossed over with all the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel. It was costly for David, as he lost his son, but his kingship was restored. At such a time, David restored the nation without retribution or bitterness, but with a clear demonstration of love and blessing.

What wisdom! What love! David’s kingship was marked by justice and love and mercy. How hard it was to take care of this 85 year old until he died of old age. But David was willing to care for him. He even took the old man’s servant and promised to take care of him and treat him well all in the honor of the old man. David never forgot those who helped him and were with him and provided for him in his time of need. He was a thankful person. No wonder all the people loved David. Verse 40b reads, “…All the people of Judah, and also half the people of Israel, brought the king on his way.”  His leadership united the country. It was the spirit of God at work in David. He had the mind of Christ. I pray that I can love people as David loved people. I pray that God may raise up leaders like King David, in this modern time who can show the way of peace and reconciliation. I pray that that the future foundations of this country may be laid down in the grace of God .

Prayer: Lord, help me not to dwell on wrongs, but to remember your blessing and love. Work through me and my family to promote peace and love and reconciliation among the people.

One Word: Love others; be a blessing. Build a community built on the grace of God.