11-9-13. 2 Samuel 19:1-23.  DAVID PREPARES TO RETURN – my devotional

Key Verse: 19:23                                                                                                                                                           Kevin E. Jesmer

“And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king gave him his oath.”

     Dear Lord, thank you for taking care of us on our journey of life. Through your Word and your Spirit and your power you are guiding us and providing for us and maturing us as people and as Christians. Thank you Lord, for showing us the truth about Matthew 6:33. Thank you for loving us. I pray that we may use all of the blessings to glorify you and tell others of your Gospel. Thank you for taking care of  Jenn in Montreal. Continue to grow her a woman of faith and make her into a blessing. Lord, thank you for the practice of devotionals. I actually look forward to meditating on your word. Reveal your truth to me in this this passage. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Part 1: The King Got Up And Took His Seat In The Gateway (1-8a).

Verses 1-8a, “It was told Joab, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle. 4 The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” 5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “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, 6 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. 7 Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.” 8 Then the king arose and took his seat in the gate. And the people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” And all the people came before the king.”

    It should have been a time of glorious victory for David’s army when they quelled the rebellion. Instead it was like a time of mourning because David was so grief stricken over his son. When Joab rebuked him, David humbly listened. He prepared once again to be king of Israel.

    Who can blame David for mourning for his son? Why can people not give David the time he needs to grieve? Being able to grieve completely is healthy for our minds and our souls. And so David needed the time to grieve. He is again reflecting the very heart of God. God does not delight in anyone perishing. 2 Peter 3:9 reads, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (NIV)  God grieves over those, who, because of their refusal to believe, perish in their sins. Perishing in their sins means eternal separation from God. God grieves over this.

     But there is another aspect of grieving. King David needed to think about the people who were following him. He had a responsibility to encourage those who remained with him in the land of the living. He needed to thank and encourage those who supported him and followed him and fought for him. The people who were following Absalom also needed to hear the right words from David, to again become citizens of David’s Kingdom. And that is why Joab said in verse 7, “Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.”  We may be grieving, but there are people who need us to be strong. David knew this and that is why the king arose and took his seat in the gate. The people were encouraged and came before the king to hear his words of encouragement.

    There is a time when we need to come out of our own grief and sorrow and be strong for those who depend on us. As I shared many times, I did suffer from depressed feelings for over 10 years, maybe 13. I would take comfort in my sullen feelings indirectly letting those close to me know that I was sad. God did send many comforters in my life, especially my family. But there comes a time that we need to stand up and be the encourager and the comforter. I needed to know that my wife and kids needed my leadership and encouragement.

    God also tells us truth through non-believers. Joab was a powerful general and a strong man, but he was worldly and unspiritual. And yet God spoke through Joab to tell David the truth his needed to hear. Verse 7 reads, “Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.”  David was humble enough to listen and do the right thing. We tend to think that if a person is not a Christian then we don’t have to listen to them and learn from them. We think that we always should be teaching them. But the truth is, God’s sends the truth even through unbelievers. We need to be humble and learn from all things and from all people. I pray that I may have that humility to always listen and learn from all things.

 Part 2: The King Makes A Promise (8b-23).

      Verses 8b-23, “…Now Israel had fled every man to his own home. 9 And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom. 10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?” 11 And King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king? 12 You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’” 14 And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, “Return, both you and all your servants.” 15 So the king came back to the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring the king over the Jordan. 16 And Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, from Bahurim, hurried to come down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 And with him were a thousand men from Benjamin. And Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and his twenty servants, rushed down to the Jordan before the king, 18 and they crossed the ford to bring over the king’s household and to do his pleasure. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was about to cross the Jordan, 19 and said to the king, “Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.” 21 Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” 22 But David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” 23 And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king gave him his oath.”

    Returning as king would not be easy, since there were many who had rebelled against David. First, he presented himself to the loyal soldiers as their king. Then, he sent word to his own house, Judah, that they should be honored to bring him back. He fired Joab and replaced him with Amasa as commander of his army. Finally, he demonstrated the truth of forgiveness in dealing with Shimei, the man who had cursed him when he was fleeing. David knew that he was king, but he did not intend to rule with retribution. David prepared to return as king by practicing forgiveness and healing.

     I am so impressed about David’s kingship. It was so revolutionary. Who would have thought that a small kingdom in ancient times could practice such effective diplomacy? It was also a great example for the practice of good politics for the next 3,000 years. David’s example could have been the inspiration for South Africa’s dealing with Apartheid. His way is truly the way for any multi cultural and multi racial society to come together in peace and reconciliation.

    I need to take David’s example and reconcile with those I have a conflict with. It will mean humility. It will mean changing my own plans. It will mean forgiving and trust others even when it is hard to do so. But I must be one who lives for reconciliation. Life is too short to live as enemies.

     Jesus tries his best to reconcile with us. Even though we lived as enemies of God most of our lives, Jesus forgives us. He completely forgives. He not only forgives but he also makes us into his sons and daughters. He makes us into his servants and he gives us important and fruitful work to do in his kingdom. Think about Apostle Paul. How much of an enemy of God can one get? Yet he was met by Jesus on the road to Damascus. He believed in Jesus. He was changed. God forgave him completely and set him on a new road. Acts 9:15-16 reads, “But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (NIV) What grace! What forgiveness! What reconciliation from Christ!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reconciling with me through your love. Help me to forgive others and promote healing as I dwell in your kingdom today.

One Word: Forgive others as I have been forgiven.