Duty and shame
2 Sam 19:1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
2 Sam 19:2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
The weeping was one man for his son. Nothing is said about the mother's and father's of the 20,000 who were slain in battle. The king mourned over his son, and others had lost their sons because of the stubborn hard hearted Absalom.
This is similar to the story of God's plagues on Egypt, because of the king's hard heart.
Exo 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
Exo 12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
2 Sam 19:3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
David made his loyal soldiers feel shame, because of his actions. It is a sad thing to feel shame as a soldier after putting your life on the battlefield for king and country. A self indulgent generation in America made the returning soldiers from Viet Nam feel shame instead of giving them praise.
2 Sam 19:4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
Perhaps David was feeling guilty for his own life before his children. Crying will not bring Absalom back, what is done is done. What was outwardly mourning could have been a heart that was aware of it's own failings.
Stop the self pity
2 Sam 19:5 And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;
2 Sam 19:6 In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.
A person can get wrapped up in their own sadness, to the point that all else are ignored. David did not commend his men for their victory. All he could think of was the death of His son. He turned the victory into shame. In this state of mind, Joab speaks strongly to him about the morale of the men who served him bravely. There was not much sympathy for David shown by Joab, nor was their much respect for his wish to spare the life of Absalom. Joab walked over the kings heart to rid the land of Absalom. Warriors are tough, seeking to win the victory. It takes a special person to achieve victory and yet remain tender of heart. Our Lord Jesus Christ was such a person. He won the victory over death and the devil, while keeping a tender heart towards his sheep. David needed to be like Jesus, good and tender to his sheep, yet victorious over the enemy.
2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
He knew that Absalom had died in his sins, without repentance.
2 Sam 19:7 Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.
Have you felt like taking your own life, because of some tragedy? Do not do it, others are counting on you, they need you. Are you so sad because of a loss of the love of your life? Share that love with others who need love, they will help fill the need. No longer that sweet sixteen? Then be that sweet whatever age. The world needs you. Especially when the focus is off of self pity and upon our Lord who cares for you.
1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1 Pet 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 Pet 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The king arose
2 Sam 19:8 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.
The gate was the place of access to the king. He would be supreme judge of the people. God the Father is now on his throne. His people have access to him through the door, or the gate which is Jesus.
David had followed the warning of Joab, he began acting like the king again, no more self pity over Absalom.
Prov 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Prov 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
2 Sam 19:9 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.
2 Sam 19:10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
Israel was guilty in choosing Absalom over king David. Now they are in debates and confusion. No one wants to admit to wrong doing. There is put one choice, to bring David back as king over Israel. Israel needed to repent and seek God's mercy. They should not have put a man's charm above the will of God. No matter who the king is, with his strengths or weaknesses. God must be acknowledged as king over all.
Reconciliation
2 Sam 19:11 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.
2 Sam 19:12 Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
David was not going to take back his reign as king by force. He is seeking reconciliation and the approval of the Elders of each tribe of Israel. Reconciliation with God is never by force, but by his seeking us and our consenting. David shows us an example of God's reconciliation. God will not force himself on us. Jesus will not make himself Lord and king of our life, without our approval.
2 Sam 19:13 And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
As a goodwill gesture, he offers to make the defeated captain of Absalom's army, the captain of his armies, replacing Joab, who had not been obedient to David's wishes. This was to put Joab in his place and to offer friendship and acceptance to the defeated people.
1 Pet 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
2 Sam 19:14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
They responded with one heart. David was to return as king and the peoples hearts were in one accord. The devil who is the divider lost this battle, David would return to a united kingdom.
Escort
2 Sam 19:15 So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
The king left in humility and is now received with honor. His tribe of Judah is first to meet him, to bring him over the Jordan. Going over Jordan is to enter God's promised land. Symbolically when death separates us from our flesh, we are escorted over Jordan, or through the heavens by God's angels to be in His presence. Our angels are always with us as Judah had been faithful to David.
2 Sam 19:16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
2 Sam 19:17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
Benjamin was the tribe of king Saul and David's friend Jonathan. Shimei with a thousand men of Benjamin came to meet David and to escort him. We remember Shimei as the one who cursed a sad David as he was fleeing Absalom.
2 Sam 16:5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
2 Sam 16:6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
2 Sam 16:7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
What would David do about Shimei?
and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him;
Ziba was the servant who cared for Saul's lame son: Mephibosheth. He had by trickery stolen the lands and possessions that David had given to Saul's son. Now he comes honoring David. It appears that both of these men were trying to make friends with the king, so that he would not take vengeance upon them. The world's people seek honor of the world, they are on the side of strength, more than on the side of righteous character.
Grace
2 Sam 19:18 And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
2 Sam 19:19 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
Way to go Shimei, you mocked and ridiculed the king when you thought he was defeated, but now you fear for your life. How many of us have said things that we wish we had never said? How many of us when we had opportunity, gave someone a bad report, knowing it would hurt them? Now David is restored as king. Where is the big man, the mocker now? He is begging for mercy, for most bullies are cowards at heart.
2 Sam 19:20 For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
Shimei, perhaps the greatest sinner with his lips is first in line to repent before the king.
1 Pet 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1 Pet 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1 Pet 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
2 Sam 19:21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?
2 Sam 19:22 And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
It was a time to celebrate the return to the throne. There would be no getting even.
2 Sam 19:23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
David forgave Shimei, he gave him grace. It certainly was not earned. When we receive the grace of Jesus, it is not earned None are worthy to be forgiven.
Slandered
2 Sam 19:24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
His world ended when David was forced to leave.
2 Sam 19:25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
2 Sam 19:26 And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
2 Sam 19:27 And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
Ziba is uncovered as a plotter to acquire the land that David had given to Saul's son.
2 Sam 16:3 And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
2 Sam 16:4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
2 Sam 19:28 For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
Mephibosheth humbled himself before the king. He did not demand the return of what was taken from him. The king was enough, whatsoever seemed right with him was fine. He truly loved the king above all else.
2 Sam 19:29 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
Divide the land, so that both will have plenty. David once again gives grace unexpectedly.
2 Sam 19:30 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
Mephibosheth does not care about the land so much as he does the king. A good example for us. Do we seek king Jesus for what he will give us? Or for who he is?
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Who or what do you love the most? Are you in financial security? If Jesus were to leave you, would you notice?
Lam 3:24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Barzillai
2 Sam 19:31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
2 Sam 19:32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
2 Sam 17:27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
2 Sam 17:28 Brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
2 Sam 17:29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
2 Sam 19:33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
You fed me in the wilderness, I will feed you in my palace.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
2 Sam 19:34 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
2 Sam 19:35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
He did not need anything, for he was aged and already blessed. Can I discern between good and evil? Often the elderly lose some of their discernment and fall pray to those who wish to steal from them.Perhaps Barzillai thought that he would not be an asset to the king, but a burden. He was losing his sense of taste and hearing and would be more comfortable in his own home, enjoying the things of nature and from God's hand.
Acts 20:33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
Acts 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Acts 20:35 I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
2 Sam 19:36 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
2 Sam 19:37 Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
It is believed that Chimham was a son of Barzillai, but is a son called a servant?
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
2 Sam 19:38 And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.
2 Sam 19:39 And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.
Rom 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
A kiss was a manly show of affection in this culture and time.
Competition
2 Sam 19:40 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
2 Sam 19:41 And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan?
The ten northern tribes of Israel felt that they were not favored by David so much as was the tribe of Judah. Already the seed of a rift has begun. How soon satan comes following a victory to cause division and resentment, we can expect him to try to take from the victories of the Lord.
2 Sam 19:42 And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift?
David was of the tribe of Judah. He has showed no partiality. It is human nature to want to be accepted, and to be favored. Jealousy often arises out of this competitive spirit. This was how the Lord's disciples reacted as well. Ten of his disciples were upset with those who sought special favor of the Lord.
Mat 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him (Jesus) and desiring a certain thing of him.
Mat 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mat 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Mat 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
2 Sam 19:43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
Anger and dispute over who would escort the king. Will you take the cup of Jesus? Will you be identified with him? Will you take up a cross?
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Mark 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
We must deny self, that old sin nature and crucify it.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
We are not to compete for honor or favor. To be as Jesus is to die to the flesh nature and to live through His Spirit.
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