In this chapter, David is accepted as the king of all Israel after Joab confronts King David for his selfish behavior. The chapter begins, “Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom. As the troops heard of the king’s deep grief for his son, the joy of that day’s victory was turned into deep sadness. They crept back into the city as though they were ashamed and had been beaten in battle. The king covered his face with his hands and kept on weeping, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Then Joab went to the king’s room and said to him, “We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed, as though we had done something wrong. You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that we mean nothing to you. If Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased. Now go out there and congratulate the troops, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than you have ever been.” (Good for you, Joab. I respect him for telling King David the truth.) So the king went out and sat at the city gate, and as the news spread throughout the city that he was there, everyone went to him.
Meanwhile, the Israelites who supported Absalom had fled to their homes. And throughout the tribes of Israel there was much discussion and argument going on. The people were saying, “The king saved us from our enemies, the Philistines, but Absalom chased him out of the country. Now Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, is dead. Let’s ask David to come back and be our king again.” Wow...look at the favor God continues to give to David!
The text continues, “Then king David sent Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, to say to the leaders of Judah, “Why are you the last ones to reinstate the king? For I have heard that all Israel is ready, and only you are holding out. Yet you are my relatives, my own tribe, my own flesh and blood! Why are you the last ones to welcome me back?” And David told them to tell Amasa, “Since you are my nephew, may God strike me dead if I do not appoint you as commander of my army in place of Joab.” Then Amasa convinced all the leaders of Judah, and they responded unanimously. They sent word to the king, “Return to us, and bring back all those who are with you.” (2 Samuel 19:1-14)
King David started back to Jerusalem, and everyone greeted him at the Jordan River and helped him cross. The chapter ends with an argument between the tribes over King David. The other tribes were not happy that Judah helped the king more than any other tribe as he crossed the Jordan River.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us to be mindful of the feelings of others, and to refrain from being selfish when our emotions are high. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
Thanks, Lan!