Offering His Own Sacrifice

II Samuel 24:15-25

“So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.  And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.” (II Samuel 24:15-16)

David had become focused on the size of his army, rather than on the power of God.  
Romans 14:23 states,”… for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”  God took the move from placing his faith in God to placing his faith in the army very seriously.  Seventy thousand people died as a result of this sin.

Because David had chose to leave the consequences to God, rather than to people, the number of deaths was limited to seventy thousand.  When the death angel came to Jerusalem, God said it was enough and stopped him.

There is a great deal of emphasis today on the size of a church, or the amount of finances that can be raised.  I can only wonder how many churches and people’s lives have been destroyed because the leaders began to focus on these things rather than on faith in God.  Obviously, God takes it far more seriously than we do.

“And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.” (II Samuel 24:17)

Only when he saw the results of his sin did David consider how serious it was.  He realized his sin was causing the deaths of innocent people.  He prayed that God would focus the consequences on himself rather than on the innocent.

“And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.” (II Samuel 24:18)

When David prayed, confessing his sin, god sent the prophet Gad to tell him what he needed to do.  He was to set up an altar to worship God at the place where the angel of God stopped killing people, at the threshing floor of Araunah.

“And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded. 
And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground. 

And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? 

And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people. 

And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.  All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.” (II Samuel 24:19-23) 

David went immediately to Araunah, to seek his permission to buy the threshing floor to give it to the lord and to use for a place of worship.  David did not ask, but Araunah volunteered to give the property for that purpose.  In addition, he offered to give his own oxen for the sacrifice and his ox yokes and farm implements to provide the wood for the fire.  It was a magnificent and sincere gesture on his part.  Most leaders today would have viewed it as a wonderful provision by God.

“And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.  So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.” (II Samuel 24:24) 

David refused to take Araunah’s offer, because to take it would make it not David’s sacrifice, but Araunah’s.  David would have actually given nothing.   One of the speakers at the BBFI meeting in May described his own surprise to learn that for years, he had been responsible for his church donating thousands of dollars, but that until he retired, it had never occurred to him that he had personally never donated anything to those projects, although he was often touted as having given such a large amount..

David refused to take credit for what somebody else gave.  He insisted on paying a fair price for what he offered so it would be his gift, not Araunah’s.

“And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was entreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.” (II Samuel 24:25)

David then offered a sacrifice for his sin as well as thanks that God saw fit to stop the punishment at that point rather than allowing Israel to be destroyed.  Because he obeyed God in this situation, the suffering stopped immediately.

Focusing On Numbers

II Samuel 24:1-16

“And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.” (II Samuel 24:1) 

From the very beginning, there had been Israelites who chose to disobey God.  Samson’s bad example as judge made such behavior appear acceptable.  While most of Israel followed David’s example, there were always those who rebelled, and frequently, like Sheba, gathered a following.  Even David was infected by the prevailing attitude, grttingh caught up in his own power and fame.  God used his pride to punish Israel, encouraging him to focus on how large an army he had.

“For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people. 

And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?” (II Samuel 24:2-3)

David ordered Joab to take a census of all the people so they could know how big they had grown.  In the past a count had been made at God’s instruction, for a specific purpose such as dividing the land or organizing for battle.  This time the purpose seems to have been solely so David could gloat in the power he had, much like a preacher gloating over his church attendance.

Joab was not a good or spiritual man, having murdered four men out of selfish motives.  Even he recognized that David’s motivation was wrong, and advised against it.  The number really didn’t matter, even if it was a hundred times as many.  He questioned why David even cared.

“Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel. 

And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer: Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,  And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.  So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.  And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.” (II Samuel 24:4-9) 

As king, David didn’t much like having his decisions questioned and he insisted his orders be followed.  The census took almost ten months.  It showed about eight hundred thousand experienced warriors in Israel and five hundred thousand in Judah, giving David a standing army of over 1.3 million men, and making him one of the most powerful men in the world at the time.  It must have been a real ego trip.

“And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people.  And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying, Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. 

So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.” (II Samuel 24:10-13)

God directed the prophet Gad to go to David about his taking the census.  David recognized his sin in focusing on the numbers instead of on god, and asked that the sin be taken away.  God offered him three choices as to how to deal with it.  The entire nation could experience seven years of famine, with the resulting suffering, or David could be attacked  and forced into exile for three months, or there could be a three day epidemic of fatal disease.   Either famine or epidemic would reduce the size of David’s army, while three months of fleeing in exile would weaken his dependence on the army.

Once again we are reminded that even though the sin is forgiven, there are consequences for it.  Justification does not mean that it is just as if we had never sinned, but that things have been set right.

One is left to wonder how many religious organizations split because God wants to move the focus from the size of the organization to dependence on himself.

“And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.” (II Samuel 24:14)

None of the punishments were desirable to David.   Either he or his people were going to suffer severely as a result of his sin.  When he thought about it, David knew that people tend to go to extremes.  He decided to place the outcome in God’s hands, as he believed God would show more restraint and consideration than people would.

“So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.  And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.” (II Samuel 24:15-16)

Seventy thousand men died of the epidemic, throughout the land.  When the plague came to Jerusalem, God said that was enough and it spread no further, justifying David’s choice to trust God rather than other people.

David’s Last Official Message

II Samuel 23:1-39

“Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,  The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.  The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.  And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. 

Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow. 

But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.” (II Samuel 23:1-7)

This was David’s last public speech, but it is not the last we hear of him, as we will back up in time and look at the details of the transition from David to Solomnon.  It is again a speech of praise, recounting what God had done in David’s life and thanking him for it.

God had chosen David when he had no aspirations to be king.  He had used David as his messenger, and despite his failures to live up to God’s standard, had made an everlasting covenant with him, ensuring his salvation, while refusing to do so for those who persist in wickedness.  Instead the wicked shall be utterly destroyed.

The chapter finishes with a list of David’s mightiest warriors, his special forces team, listing them according to their accomplishments.

“These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.” (II Samuel 23:8) 

The leader of David’s special forces and the top field commander was Adino, the Eznite, known as a Tachmonite or wise man.  He didn’t hesitate to take on eight hundred man at one time and killed them all.  He was also one of David’s trusted advisors.

“And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.” (II Samuel 23:9-10) 

Eleazar earned his position as David’s second best warrior fighting the Philistines.  He and David, along with other men were confronted by the Philistine army.  He fought until his hands were cramping around the handle of his sword and he couldn’t turn it loose.  By the time the others returned to help him there wasn’t anyone left to fight, and they just helped him gather the weapons of the dead.

“And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.  But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.” (II Samuel 23:11-12)

Shammah was ranked third.  When a troop of Philistines attacked a field of lentiles, the other workers fled.  Shammah stayed to fight and defeated them, killing the entire troop.  He, Eleazar, and Adino comprised the equivalent of Seal Team Six.

“And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.  And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! 

And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. 

And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.”  (II Samuel 23:13-17)

At one point the philistines had captured Bethlehem, David’s hometown.  When David commented how much he’d like a drink of water from the well in Bethlehem, three unnamed members of the special forces fought their way in just to get him a drink of water.  David refused to drink it, saying that it would be like drinking the three men’s blood, since they had risked their lives for it.  Instead, he offered it to the Lord.

“And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.  Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three. “ (II Samuel 23:18-19)

David’s cousin Abishai, Joab’s brother led the second three man team.  He only killed three hundred by himself, which wasn’t enough o make the first team, although it gave him leadership of the second.

“And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow: And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.  These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.  He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three.  And David set him over his guard. “ (II Samuel 23:20-23)

Initially Benaiah led a three man team as well.  He earned his position by numerous heroic acts.  Rather than throwing a spear from above to kill a trapped lion, he jumped into the pit with him even though the ground was slippery with snow.  He defeated a well armed Egyptian soldier with only a walking stick, using the Egyptians own spear to kill him.  David set him over his personal guard.

“Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,  Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,  Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah, Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.’ (II Samuel 23:24-39)

David had thirty seven who would have been Medal Of Honor winners, although we don’t know what most of them did.  They attained their reputations before David became king, and went on to play important roles in his kingdom. A few stand out for various reasons.  Asahel was Joab’s younger brother, and in his eagerness got himself killed by Abner.

Nahari became Joab’s aide when David made him  commanding general.  Uriah was a Hittite, rather than a Jew, and he was the one David had killed to conceal his affair with Bathsheba.   Igal was a Syrian from Zobah, and Zelek was an Ammonite.

A Song Of Praise

II Samuel 22:1-51

“And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.  I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. “ (II Samuel 22:1-4)

I am often amused when I see the present day emphasis on Praise and Worship songs.   Many times they wish to eliminate the use of  psalms and hymns.  I have the feeling that those who have coined the name have little or no understanding of what the terms mean, of church history, or of scripture.  Ephesians 5:18-19 describes one of the results of being filled with the Spirit.  “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

Colossians 3:16 states that when the Holy Spirit is allowed free reign in our lives, he will use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach, encourage and warn us.  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”   Literally, the Songs the Holy Spirit uses will affect more than just one’s emotions.

Interestingly, the word psalm refers to a song of praise, and hymn to a song of worship.
Hebrews 13:15 defines praise as thanks giving.  “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

This song David sings is a psalm or song of praise.  Notice how the focus is on what God has done for David in various situations and how that David can depend on him in the future.  He starts with some generalizations about God as his rock and personal deliverer, but moves to specific actions on his behalf because David asked for help.

"When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears, 

Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.  There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.  He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.  And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.  And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.  Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled. 

The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.  And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.  And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.  They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.  He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.” (II Samuel 22:5-20) 

The song then explains why God has responded to David’s plea, teaching us how we can experience the same blessings.

“The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. 

For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.  For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.  I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.  Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.” (II Samuel 22:21-25)

David then praises God for his character, that causes him to respond in such a fashion to those who do what is right.

“With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright.  With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself unsavoury.  And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down. 

For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.  For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. 

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.  For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?” (II Samuel 22:26-32)

It is through God’s power that David had been able to live in such a manner as to please God and receive his blessings.  It is through his power that he has been able to learn how to fight, and to do the various things, and it is through god’s power that he has been successful.

“God is my strength and power: And he maketh my way perfect.  He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.  He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.  Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip. 

I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.  And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet. 

For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.  Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.” (II Samuel 22:33-41)

 God’s power has impacted others as well as David himself,  so that both heathen and professing believers have been forced to examine what they are doing.

“They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.  Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad. 

Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.  Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.  Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.” (II Samuel 22:42-46) 

Because of what God has done, David is strengthened in his resolve to follow God forever.  He is rejoicing fopr the wondrous blessings he has already received, and looking forward to future blessings.

“The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.  It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.  Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. 

He is the tower of salvation for his king: and showeth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.” (II Samuel 22:47-51)

Because of the message in this song, we learn that if we obey God, we can expect him to bless in a mighty way, even when others who claim to be Christians oppose us.  We have solid reasons for expecting God to do what he did for David.  It gives a tremendous example of the kind of songs the Holy Spirit uses.  The style of music is irrelevant, but the message is crucial.

Age Catches Up

II Samuel 21:15-22

“Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.”(II Samuel 21:15)

By this time, David has been king for over thirty years, and is in his sixties.  II Samuel 5:4 stated, “David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.”  Like most people he didn’t want to admit he was not as strong as he had been before.  When he went out to battle with the Philistines, he played out.  Sooner or later age catches up with every man who lives that long.

“And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.  But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. 

Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.” (II Samuel 21:16-17)

One of the old family of giants who lived among the Philistines made it his goal to kill David.  He was a very large and strong man, using a spear with a head weighing nearly ten pounds, and carrying a new sword he hoped to break in by killing David.  Anyone who has ever used a ten pound sledgehammer can get an idea how strong Ishbibenob had to be to handle such a spear effectively.  Had Abishai not come to David’s rescue and killed the giant, David would have been killed when he played out.  After that David’s men refused to let him go into battle for fear he’d be killed and leave Israel leaderless.

Like David, we all come to a point where we cannot do everything we used to, and like David, trying to keep on begins to put others at risk.  We will be forced to let others do those jobs if we do not voluntarily do so.

“And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant. 

And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.” (II Samuel 21:18-19)

In subsequent battles other members of the giant family were killed, including Goliath’s brother more than forty years after David killed his brother.  We have no idea how large Goliath’s brother was, but the shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, probably five to six inches in diameter.  His hands must have been huge to even grip it firmly.  Just a glancing blow could crush an ordinary man’s skull.

“And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.  And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah the brother of David slew him.” (II Samuel 21:20-21)

David’s friend Achish, king of Gath had died and the younger generation wanted to take over Israel.  Another of the family of giants with a genetic abnormality that caused six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, like Goliath almost fifty years before, defied the armies of Israel, and like Goliath, was killed by someone he thought had no chance.  David’s nephew killed him.

“These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.” (II Samuel 21:22)

Almost seven hundred years after the ten spies had refused to go into the land because of a few giants, there were still giants, and individual normal Israelites were still able to kill them, with God’s help.   Unlike man, God’s strength is not eroded by time.

Letting Sin Slide

II Samuel 21:1-14

“Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.” (II Samuel 21:1) 

In Deuteronomy 28, God promised Israel that if they would serve him he would bless everything they did, but that if the began to go against him. He would gradually remove their blessings like a loving father until they began to pay attention,  one of the things he would do was to allow their crops to fail as a warning that they were getting too far away from what was right.

When the famine first started they didn’t think much about it, but after three years, it began to register that this was more than just a temporary drought.  Finally David took the trouble to ask why God was allowing it.  God’s response was that it was because Saul had slain a lot of the Gibbeonites, and that there had been no effort to make it right.

“And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)  Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?” (II Samuel 21:2-3) 

Believing that God was going to give the land of Canaan to the Jews as he promised, The people of Gibbeon had deceived the people of Israel in order to make a treaty with them, In Joshua 9.  Because they believed what the Gibbeonites told, them, Israel signed the treaty, even though God had forbidden them to make treaties with the local peoples.    When they realized what had happened, most of the Israelites wanted to break the treaty and kill the Gibbeonites.

Joshua and the other leaders admitted they had broken God’s command in making the treaty.  They pointed out that if they broke the treaty, they would then have broken another of God’s commands, compounding the problem.  Committing another sin would not alleviate the problem of the first.

About five hundred seventy five years after Israel signed the treaty, Saul decided that he needed to get rid of the non Jews to purge the Jewish culture of outside influences.  He simply ignored the treaty and had many of the Gibbeonites slaughtered.  Israel had done nothing about making theirs right for about fifty years, so God brought judgment on them for it.

Numbers 35:33 warns of the danger of letting murderers go unpunished, and Saul’s killing the Gibeonites was murder.  “So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.”  By not executing the murderer, any nation tacitly approves murder, bringing God’s judgment on the entire nation.  By doing nothing about it, Israel had accepted responsibility for the murder of the Gibbeonites.  Since Saul and most of his family were dead, David asked the Gibbeonites what they thought was fair.  Only by executing the murder could the judgment be lifted.  Numbers 35:31 says that no alternative punishment can be substituted.  “Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.”

With this in mind, it is easy to understand why David would later instruct Solomon not to allow Joab to die of natural causes.  Please note that the defilement is for any nation, not just for Israel.  Think of the judgment America deserves because they approve murder by not administering the death penalty in most cases.

Similar statements are made about homosexuality and other sexual sin. Leviticus 18 stresses that these types of sins were why God took the land from the Canaanites, and warns that it will happen for any nation.

“And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. 

And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you. 

And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose.” (II Samuel 21:4-6a” 

The Gibbeonites did not ask for a monetary judgment against Saul’s family, or that somebody be executed, but that they be allowed to execute judgment on seven of his descendants for Saul’s crime while he was king.

“And the king said, I will give them. 

But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. 
But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.” (II Samuel 21:6b-9)

David acquiesced to their request but remembered his agreement with Jonathan and refused to allow Mephibosheth to be killed.  The only remaining members of Saul’s family were two illegitimate sons of Saul by Rizpah, and five sons of  Adriel that Saul’s daughter Michal had adopted and raised since she had no children of her own.

The Gibeonites executed them in first few days of barley harvest, and hanged the bodies for all to see as a reproach on Saul’s family.

“And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. 

And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done. 

And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa: And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.  And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land. ” (II Samuel 21:11-14)

Though they had been executed for their father’s crimes, Rizpah was hurt by th etreatment of her sons, and protected the hanging bodies from the weather and scavengers.  David heard about her efforts and recognized her pain.  He had Saul and jonathan’s remains exhumed in Jabeshgilead and all the bodies were moved to Saul’s family plot Benjamin, at Zelah, to provide relief to the family.

God accepted the efforts to make the sin right and removed the curse, ending the famine.

Jumping To Conclusions

II Samuel 20:13b-26

“all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.  And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.  And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.” (II Samuel 20:13b-15)

 Taking advantage of the resentment over not being consulted about bringing David back as king, Sheba had found it easy to stir up a rebellion and gather a large following  campaigning throughout the various tribes, and assembling them at Abel.  Joab and the army caught up with him at Abel of Bethmaacah.  When Sheba took refuge in the city, they placed the city under seige, casting embankments all around it and blockading any who might go in or out.  They then started to tear down the walls to break in.

“Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.  And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid.

 And he answered, I do hear.  Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.  I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?” (II Samuel 20:16-19)

The men of the city were concerned about defending the city and resentful about being attacked.   Their pride demanded the fight to defend themselves.  A wise woman overlooked the pride and asked why Joab and the army were attacking one of the cities in Israel, trying to destroy it.  Why should they be killed when they didn’t even know what it was about?

When God created woman, he fitted her especially to complement and complete the man, providing a different perspective and approach to problems.  Joab was completely focused on killing Sheba, no matter who he had to kill to do it, and the men of Abel were concentrating on defending their homes, at whatever cost.  The woman looked at it from the standpoint that no matter who won the battle, many people would be killed simply because Joab had decided to destroy them.

“And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.  The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. 

And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall. 

Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab.” (II Samuel 20:20-22)


Joab explained that there was no desire to destroy the city.  Sheba had committed treason and their only interest was in punishing him.  They had just assumed because he taken refuge in the city, that the people of the city supported his rebellion.  The woman promised that they would execute Sheba themselves and throw his head out to prove it.

When she explained what the attack was about to the men of the city, they had no qualms about keeping her promise, and executed him, throwing his head out to Joab.  It was a relief to know they were not going to have to fight to the death.

Unfortunately many conflicts explode out of control because everyone is focused so much on their own feelings and concerns they don’t take time to find out what the conflict is really about.   Both sides end up with a false idea of the other sides position and feelings boil out of control.  Frequently there is somebody like Sheba at the bottom stirring things up in hopes of getting his own way, accusing the other side of being unfair.

“And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.” (II Samuel 20:23)

Having attained his purpose of destroying the leader of the rebellion, Joab withdrew from the attack and returned to Jerusalem.

Had the wise woman not bothered to ask what it was all about,  but taken the same attitude as most of the people, Joab and the army would have destroyed the city and killed everyone in it believing they were intentionally helping Sheba.

In his teaching on resolving conflicts in Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus stressed that the first step must be to make sure both sides understand what is at issue.  “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.”

A failure to make sure what the issues are often results in even more injustice, and increases the problems.   It is important that we take the time to be sure what is really going on instead of simply taking action.

“Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites: And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder: And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.” (II Samuel 20:23-26)

We finish with a listing of those in positions of power during the last period of David’s reign.  

Discontent Leads To Rebellion
II Samuel 20:1-13

“And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. 

So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.” (II Samuel 20:1-2)

Israel felt that they were taken for granted and their opinion was not valued when Judah moved to make David King again without consulting them.  With the people already upset, Satan inspired Sheba to play on their feelings, insisting that the rest of Israel had no real connection with David, and that Judah would be the only real beneficiary of having him as king.  It caused a major split in the country, with Judah standing for David, and the rest of Israel turning after Sheba.

“And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.” (II Samuel 20:3)

Absalom had deliberately had sex with these ten of David’s common law wives in a public display of disrespect for his father to emphasize the rift between them.  David realized it wasn’t their fault, so he continued to support them as his wives, but no longer maintained the sexual relations with them, on the basis of Deuteronomy  24:3-4.  “And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.”  Though the women had been forced, the relationship would always be a fact between them, interfering with the relationship.  Forgiving a mate for an affair does not necessarily mean accepting them back.

“Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.  So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. 

And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.  And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.” (II Samuel 20:4-7)

Recognizing that failure to act could well result in a permanent split of the country, David ordered Amasa to assemble Judah’s army within three days.  When amasa was late returning, David sent Abishai out to lead Joab’s men and David’s personal guards in an effort to prevent Sheba from gathering too much strength  As he warned Abishai, Sheba’s actions were a bigger threat to the nation of Israel than Absalom’s, because they threatened to split the country.

“When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out. 

And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.  But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died.” (II Samuel 20:8-10a)

When they came to Gibeon, Amasa caught up and took over leading the army, as David’s commanding general.  Joab had allowed his younger brother to lead, but he refused to allow someone else to have the position he thought of as his own.  Hurrying as they were, Joab’s sword fell out of the sheath, so he was carrying it in his hand.

When he saw his cousin Amasa, he greeted him as a dear relative.  Amasa thought nothing of the short sword in Joab’s hand and went forward to hug and kiss him as was customary.  Joab took the opportunity to stab him under the fifth rib, puncturing the heart and probably a lung, and opening up his abdomen so his intestines fell out, killing him.

“So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.  And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab. 

“And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.  When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.” (II Samuel 20:10b-13) 

Leaving Amasa’s body still flopping around, Joab took command and he and Abishai continued their efforts to capture Sheba, leaving one of Joab’s men to direct the others to keep following.  Seeing Amassa’s boddy flopping around, everyone stopped to look, so the man dragged the body into the field and covered it up so it wouldn’t distract them.

Amasa was the fourth person Joab had murdered, and he no longer even bothered to try to hide his guilt, convinced David would be unable to move against him.  While he could legally excuse his killing of Abner, and claim killing Absalom was justified to end the war, even though he was breaking David’s command, there was no way of justifying Amasa’s murder.  He just refused to relinquish command of the army when David replaced him.  To prevent a major scandal and rebellion, David will be forced to overlook his crimes, but he would advise Solomon to take the first opportunity he could to get rid of him, and not just allow him to die of old age.
When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue

Consideration For Other’s Opinions

II Samuel 19:31-43

“And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.  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.” (II Samuel 19:31)

Barzillai was one of the men who had provided food and camping gear for David and his men.  He was well known throughout the area east of the Jordan, and controlled a huge area. Though he was in his eighties, he walked about fifty miles southeast to escort David back across the Jordan.

“And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.

“And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?  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?  Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? 

 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.” (II Samuel 19:33-37) 

Appreciative of Barzillai’s financial, emotional and military support, David asked him to accompany him to Jerusalem to celebrate with him.  Barzillai said that he was eighty, and had lost most of his capacity for enjoying such events,  He could no longer taste most of what he ate, nor could he enjoy the musicians, or most of the other entertainment.  He would just settle for going just a little past the Jordan and not put them to the trouble of trying to entertain him.  He had no desire to live out his days in Jerusalem, preferring to return to his own home.  He asked that a younger friend, Chimham, be allowed to go in his place.

“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. 

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.  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.” (II Samuel 19:38-40)

David agreed to let Chimham take his place, promising do what Barzillai wanted for him.  He also promised to do anything he could to help Barzillai, should he ever need help in the future.  When they were across Jordan, Bqarzillai returned home and David went on to Gilgal accompanied by Chimham along with all the tribe of Judah and half of Israel.

“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? 

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? 

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.” (II Samuel 19:41-43) 

Judah had been the first group to anoint David king, thirty years before.  They had been the first to support Absalom.  Now they had been the first to reinstate David as king, because he was their man, their own family.  The rest of Israel began to see their actions as rather high handed and inconsiderate of the others.  After all, there were ten other tribes besides Judah and Benjamin that had a say in who the king should be.  Both sides wanted David as king, the conflict resulted from the other tribes not being consulted.  It left the other tribes feeling like their opinion was not considered important.

Last year, I felt a little disenfranchised by the Republican party when I was repeatedly asked to make donations to support the party candidates, but there was no way to express my concerns or opinions.  Many Americans are getting the same feeling watching our federal government, and seeing the president or Congress vote in laws totally along party lines. People are left with the feeling that
only the party’s opinion matters.

I am watching a large religious group go through the same thing for exactly the same reasons.  They are losing much of their membership, not because of doctrinal differences, or people disagree with the decision that are made, but because people feel that they have no input.   They are asked to pay for the decisions that are made, but they have no real input as to what the decisions are.  When a vote is taken to approve or reject various decisions, it is pretty much like the propositions for a funding project in a state election.  You are presented with the leadership’s decision and can accept it or reject it, but cannot make any recommendations or suggestions.  There is no forum where alternative suggestions can be presented.

The organization has already suffered a large split an umber of years ago, for the same reason, but present leadership has not learned from past experience, and are repeating the same actions.  A lot of potential conflict can be avoided by making people feel their opinion matters, even if it means that progress is slowed somewhat.  

David Returns Across Jordan

II Samuel 19:15-30

“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.” (II Samuel 19:15)

David remained in Mahanaim until Judah formally accepted him as king.  He did not spend the time in political maneuvering to become king but waiting until they were ready.  When Judah came to escort him across Jordan, it was their decision, and they were again as committed to him as when they chose him the first time.

“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.” (II Samuel 19:16)

Shimei had not hesitated to blaspheme David, accusing him of killing Saul’s family and usurping the kingdom when  he didn’t think David could do anything about it.  The moment he suspected David might be restored to power, he made real effort to smooth things over so he wouldn’t be taken to task for his actions.  He was a Benjamite, and a distant relative of Saul’s, and was quite bitter that Saul’s family was no longer ruling.

“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.  And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good.” (II Samuel 19:17-18a) 

David was accompanied by about a thousand Benjamite warriors, as well as Saul’s retainers and former servants.  Clearly, Shimei’s attitude was not shared by the rest of the tribe or Saul’s associates.

 "Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; 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.  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.” (II Samuel 19:18b-20)

Like most people who allow their anger to control their tongue, Shimei said things he ought not because he thought he could get by with it.  When he realized he might have to pay for his actions, he rushed to apologize in hopes of persuading David not to kill him.  Obviously, he knew his actions were unacceptable, as he told David,  His apology was not a result of sincere regret or repentance, but an attempt to avoid punishment.  His rush to apologize is typical of people who realize their actions made people angry, but do not consider themselves as having done any thing truly wrong.

“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?

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? 

Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.’ (II Samuel 19:21-23) 

Abishai recognized the insincerity of Shimei’s apology and recommended that he be killed.  It was the standard approach of his Aunt Zeruiah’s children, to kill those who opposed them.  David was beginning to despair of them ever looking beyond their immediate concerns.  To just put everybody to death who disagreed with him would bring the judgment of God on David, as well as creating enemies and weakening the kingdom.

David knew he had the necessary authority and did not need to kill somebody to prove it to anybody.  Only a very insecure person needs to demonstrate their power.  David would not put anybody to death for their part in Absalom’s rebellion, because he was sure of his position as king.

“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.

 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?

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. 

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.  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?” (II Samuel 19:24-28)

Mephibosheth was actually Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson.  David had befriended him’ supporting hem when the standard custom would have been to kill him or exile him.  David had been concerned when Mephibosheth’s servant, Ziba showed up in support but Mephibosheth himself did not.  Ziba had said that he was hoping that with David dead, they would give the kingdom to him, and David was offended by such ingratitude, and offered Ziba the land that he had held for Mephibosheth.

When he met Mephibosheth on his return, he questioned his reason for not going.  Mephibosheth was cripple in both feet, and could hardly walk.  When Ziba and the others left to accompany David, they told him they were going to catch a donkey for him to ride and left without telling him.  By the time he caught one for himself, it was too late.

Ziba had lied about him not wanting to go and hoping for David’s death. But mephibosheth was willing to accept whatever David might decide because he realized that except for David’s mercy, he would already have been dead years before., and he was just glad to see him alive.

 “And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land. 

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.” (II Samuel 19:29-30)

David regretted his haste in offering the land to Ziba, and asked Mephibosheth to share it with him.  Mephibosheth said Ziba was welcome to it all as thanks for helping David return safely.

Making The First Move

II Samuel 19:1-15

“And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.  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.  And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.  But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! ” (II Samuel 19:1-4) 

The people knew that David had given orders not to hurt Absalom, and they knew how he had been killed.  Seeing how badly David felt about it, the people were embarrassed to be part of the murder and snuck home in shame, while David continued to grieve.

“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; 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. 

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.” (II Samuel 19:5-7) 

The people could understand David’s grief over the death of his son.  After a while, however, they began to feel that David cared more about Absalom than he did about the country.  Joab warned that if he didn’t make it clear he appreciated their efforts to save his life, the people would begin to turn away and find somebody else to be king.  If that happened, there would be nobody to support him.

“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.” (II Samuel 19:8) 

Following Joab’s advice, David went back out into public, personally meeting the people.  The people heard that he was making himself available again, and showing interest in them.  They responded by coming to meet him and share their condolences.

“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.  And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?” (II Samuel 19:9-10)

David did not just declare himself king.  He waited, and before long the people began to want to make him king officially again.  They acknowledged what David had done in the past, and that in making Absalom king they had stripped David of his power.  With Absalom dead, they really had no king and felt that they needed to  make it official again.

“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.  Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?” (II Samuel 19:11-12)

David was of the tribe of Judah, and they had been the first to receive him as king after Saul’s death, but their leaders had been some of those suckered into supporting Absalom.  With all Israel wanting David to be named as king, he asked what was holding him back.

”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.” (II Samuel 19:13) 

David knew Joab had deliberately disobeyed his command and murdered Absalom out of a desire for revenge.  He had also murdered Abner, even though Abner was trying to support their cause.  Clearly, Joab was more concerned with his own agenda than he was with David’s plans or what was right, so he decided to replace him with Amasa.  Amasa was another of David’s cousins and could be expected to be as loyal as Joab.

“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.  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.” (II Samuel 19:14-15)

Apparently, Judah had been holding off, fearing David had turned against them for supporting Absalom.  His comments made it clear he held no grudges, and they immediately turned to support him, asking him to take back the throne.  They met David at the Jordan river to escort him across the river and back into Judah.

Christians have a responsibility not to initiate conflict and separation in marriage.  They also have a responsibility to reach out to others in an effort to reconcile their differences, regardless of who has done wrong.  Many times their pride or sense of guilt keeps people from taking action they want or know they need to take.  By reaching out to them, we can take away the constraints, but like David, we have to wait until they are ready.  It cannot be forced.

A Messenger Without The Whole Message

II Samuel 18:19-

“Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.   And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.” (II Sasmuel 18:19-20)

Jonathan and Ahimaaz had brought Hushai’s message to David, having a great impact on the outcome of the battle.  When they learned that Absalom had been killed, he volunteered to carry the news of his death to David.  After all it would be really exciting to carry the news that victory had been won.

Joab recognized that David’s pleasure in victory would mitigated by his grief over the death of his son.  How the message was presented would be as important as the message itself.  Ahimaaz was too excited about the victory and carrying the message to think about the hurt it might cause.  In his excitement, he might well present it in an offensive manner. Joab told him that it would be better for him to wait until another time.

“Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.” (II Samuel 18:21)

Cushi had been actively engaged in the battle,  he was aware of the horrors of seeing men die.  He realized what victory had cost, and would not be as excited about winning.  Joab told him to tell David what he had seen.

“Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. 

And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? 

But howsoever, said he, let me run. 

And he said unto him, Run.

Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.” (II Samuel 18:22-23)

Ahimaaz was still excited about being a messenger,  insisting he wanted to run.  Joab asked him why since he had nothing to tell, but finally allowed him to go.  Focused on his running, rather than his message. Ahimaaz was able to take a shortcut and beat Cushi to the city.

“And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.  And the watchman cried, and told the king. 

And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. 

And he came apace, and drew near.  And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. 

And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. 

And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. 

And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.” (II Samuel 18:24-27)

The watchman David had posted spotted both men, and after watching a little while recognized Ahimaaz’ running style.  David said that he was a good man dn his fast pace indicated he was carrying good news.

“And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. 

And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? 

And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. 

And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.” (II Samuel 18:28-30)

When Ahimaaz arrived, he shouted out that David’s enemies had been defeated.  David asked for more information, and Ahimaaz had to say that was all he knew.  He had seen a big commotion going on when he left, but he didn’t know what it was about.  David then asked him to stand over out of the way while Cushi reported. For all David knew, the commotion could well have been a violent attack by the other side that resulted in extending the battle.

 “And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. 

And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? 

And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.” (II Samuel 18:31-32)

Like Ahimaaz, Cushi reported that they had been victorious, but he was able to answer questions about what had happened.  When David asked him about Absalom, Cushi was able to answer the question, but he was discreet in his response.  Instead of blasting out the news, he responded in a way that implied his regret, that he was dead.

In my fifty years working in churches, I have observed a lot of people like, Ahimaaz.  They are so eager to do something they don’t take the time to find out what needs to be done.  As a result most of their effort produces little or no value, and frequently causes problems.

Youth groups are often sent on soul winning or mission  trips in hopes of exciting them about serving the Lord.  They are usually given some sales script that is supposed to cause people to get saved.  Unfortunately they are little better equipped to win people to Christ than the kids who the schools send out to sell candy bars or other products, depending on people to buy as favor to help the kid rather than a real desire for the product.  Because they have no real understanding of what is actually required or what Christ did to save people, they are unable to do anything but follow the script and hope somebody gets saved.   They are unequipped to answer legitimate questions or even lay a foundation for someone to build on.  The kids get excited, but like Ahimaaz, they have little to offer of real value.

It is far better to send someone like Cushi, who actually has enough information to answer relevant questions, even though it may mean they don’t get there as quickly, or aren’t as excited.  Until they have the whole message people cannot make legitimate decisions.

“And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (II Samuel 18:33)

This is the third of David’s sons to die, at least indirectly as  a result of David’s sin with Bathsheba.  Absalom’ s death is directly a result of his failure to honor his father, but David is forced to confront the fact that his example in having Uriah murdered and his handling of Amnon’s rape of Tamar, and how he treated Absalom for murdering Amnon all contributed to his death.  Think of the guilt David must have felt.

Caught By His Pride

II Samuel 18:1-18

“And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.  And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also. 

But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city. 

And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.” (II Samuel 18:1-4) 

Once they arrived in Mahanaim, David began to organize his forces, dividing them into three main groups.  Two of the groups were led by David’s cousins, Joab and Abishai, while the third was led by the Ittai, the Philistine from Gath.

Unlike most politicians David was not inclined to stay at home and give orders, preferring to be actively involved and leading the people.  The people recognized that the entire purpose of the attack was to destroy him and insisted he not expose himself to the danger,  If  David were killed, it wouldn’t matter whether they won the battle or not, because Absalom would still seize the kingdom.  They insisted David stay in the city and cheer them on from there so they didn’t have to worry about him being killed.

David yielded to the wishes of the people, acknowledging their right to make such a request since they were putting their lives on the line for him.  It was this desire to actively take part in what was done, but being willing to consider others that distinguished him from Saul and made him such a great leader that even his former enemies would support him.

“And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.” (II Samuel 18:5)

Even thought Absalom was trying to kill him, David still loved his son.  Godly love is not based on the other person’s treatment of us, but on our chosen attitude toward them.  At the same time David id not overlook Absalom’s intention to kill him,  As I Corinthians 13:6 says, Love “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.”  Love is honest about the person, seeing what they are really like.  Because of his love for his son, David gave orders to try not to hurt Absalom if possible, and all the people were informed.

 “So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.  For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. 

And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.” (II Samuel 18:6-9)

As a result of Absalom’s attempt to usurp the throne, twenty thousand people died.  More were killed from running into dead branches or falls that were killed by the opposing forces.  Absalom himself got his hair tangled in an oak branch and was left dangling, by the very hair he had been so proud of, unable to free himself when his mule didn‘t stop in time..

“And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. 

And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? And I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. 

And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.  Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.” (II Samuel 18:10-13) 

When Joab heard what had happened, he demanded to know why the man hadn’t just killed Absalom on the spot, stating that he would have given him a cash reward and a trophy belt for it,

The man didn’t believe him because David had given orders not to hurt Absalom, and he was sure Joab would have had him executed immediately for ignoring the orders.  He didn’t feel like committing suicide.

“Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.  And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.  And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.” (II Samuel 18:14-16)

Joab told the man he didn’t have the time to waste discussing what would have happened and hurried away to kill Absalom before someone rescued him.  He had a grudge against Absalom for burning his field,  and  he wanted to get even, regardless of David‘s orders.  He stabbed three arrows or small spears through Absalom’s heart, then had  ten other guys stab him to hide who really killed him.  He was the third person Joab had deliberately had killed.  With Absalom dead, there was no excuse to continue the battle, so Joab called off his men.

“And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.” (II Samuel 18:17)

There was a large pit in the woods, so Absalom was buried in it under a pile of stones to keep animals from eating the body.  Knowing that David was going to be upset about Absalom’s death after having given instructions not to hurt him, the people returned home with a sense of failure.

“Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.” (II Samuel 18:18) 

Absalom was a vain man wanting everyone to look up to him.  It was why he had let his hair grow, and spent so much hiring guys to accompany him and doing public relations.  In addition he had set up a monument to himself so everybody would remember him, since he had no sons to do it for him.  

Hushai Warns David of Ahithophel’s Plan

II Samuel 17:15-29

“Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.  Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.” (II Samuel 17:15-16) 

Having successfully convinced Absalom to delay attacking David, Hushai contacted the priests, and informed them what he had done, asking them to send their sons with a message to David.  He warned them of Ahithophel’s plan, and tht they ought not stop in the wilderness for fear that Ahithophel might still find a way to attack and capture or kill him.

“Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. 

Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.  And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.

And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. “(II Samuel 17:17-20)

Every effort was made top prevent their mission being discovered, with them staying in Enrogel and a serving girl carrying the message to them.  Despite their efforts, a boy saw them and reported ti to Absalom, but they fled to Bahurim to a sympathizer’s home,  The home had their own well in the courtyard, and Jonathan and Ahimaaz hid on the steps of the well, while the protective cover was put over it and it was disguised to look like a they were using ist as place for grinding grain, with sacks of grain and flour scattered around over the top.  The ruse was successful, and the boys were not discovered.

When questioned, the woman of the house told the pursuers that they had been seen crossing the brook earlier.  The pursuers searched the area but didn’t find them.

“And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.

 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.” (II Samuel 17:21)

Once the search was called off, Jonathan and Ahimaaz emerged from the well and completed their mission, warning David not to stay in the region but to cross on over Jordan because of Ahithophel’s plans.  David and his followers immediately decamped, crossing Jordan before daylight.

“And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.” (II Samuel 17:23) 

When Ahithophel realized they were not going to take his advice, he was so upset at being ignored that he went home and committed suicide, convinced there was nothing left for him.  He sounds like the teenagers who commit suicide today because somebody disagreed with them.

“Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.  And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.  So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.” (II Samuel 17:24-26) 

David proceeded to Mahanaim while Absalom and his forces moved into Gilead East of Jordan in the tribe of Manasseh.  Absalom replaced Joab, who he knew to be loyal to David with a man named Amasa.  Amasa was the son of one Joab’s niece’s lover.

“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, Brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, 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.” (II Samuel 17:27-29)

David had fought and captured the city of Rabbah.  The brother of the king who David defeated, and leaders of two other Ammonite communities brought some  conveniences  such as beds, cooking utensils and a variety of staple foods, including grains, flour, cooked cereals and beans , along with cheese, sheep and butter because they realized that the people were hungry and tired.  It says quite a lot about the respect David’s administration earned, that even former enemies and subject nations stood with him against  Absalom’s effort to usurp the kingdom.

Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice

II Samuel 16:15-17:14

“And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.  And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. 

And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? 

And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.  And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.” (II Samuel 16:15-19) 

Hushai was a personal friend, and David asked him to see if he could discredit Ahithophel’s advice.  When Absalom and his followers came into Jerusalem, Hushai was there to greet them.  Knowing he was David’s friend, Absalom was immediately suspicious, asking why he hadn’t gone with David.

Hushai responded that he was more concerned with Israel and what God wanted than who was the king.  He would serve whoever was king equally well.  Human nature usually assumes others have the same feelings and motivations as oneself, and since Absalom was betraying his own father to gain power, he accepted that Hushai would betray his friend for the same reason.

“Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. 

And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. 

So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 

And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.” (II Samuel 16:20-23)

Ahithophel’s advice was so often right that it had come to be considered as good as a message from God, so Absalom asked him what he should do to cement his control of the kingdom.  Ahithophel’s advice was to publicly destroy any hope of reconciliation with his father by openly having sex with his common law wives in a public display of disrespect.   It would imply that David had lost all his power, and convince many that there was no possibility of David regaining influence as long as Absalom remained in power.   People would be forced to accept the new order.

While this advice would further widen the gap between David and Absalom and make it obvious there would be no future collaboration, it was also a direct attack on God’s moral law.  Leviticus 20:11commands, “And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”  As a deliberate act of disrespect, it also violated Deuteronomy 5:16.  “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

While the immediate effect would be to secure him the kingdom, it would also bring the wrath of God on Absalom, but he wasn’t very concerned about it.  He had already murdered his brother, and now he was trying to murder his father.  Having sex with his father’s wives to show his disdain seemed relatively minor.  Though he didn’t realize it, it also demonstrated his disdain for God.

“Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.” (II Samuel 17:1-3) 

Ahithophel also advises that he be allowed to take twelve thousand men and attack David before he had a chance to rally his troops and prepare their defense.  If he made the attack fast enough, David’s forces would be intimidated and might well collapse, allowing him to capture ofr kill David, and eliminate any future problems.

“And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.  Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.

And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.” (II Samuel 17:4-6)

While Absalom and the leaders liked Ahithophel’s advice, they decided to see what Hushai thought about it.  Since he was a personal friend of David’s, he would have a good idea how David would react, and it would give a chance to test Hushai’s loyalty to Absalom.

“And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.  For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.  Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.  And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. 

Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.  So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one.  Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.” (II Samuel 17:7-13)

Hushai reminded them that David and his men were experienced warriors and would require little time to prepare themselves and would be eager to fight.  If they were even partially successful in standing off Ahithophel’s army, it would raise questions about his leadership, weakening rather than strengthening his position.

Instead, Hushai recommended that the entire nation be gathered and go in force against him with enough people to ensure victory, totally wiping out all his supporter.  With such a strong force, they could  literally drag any city which sheltered him into the sea, forcing them to give him up.  There would be no possible way for David to win.

“And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.” (II Samuel 17:14)

The thought of wiping out all of David’s supporter sand eliminating any possible opposition in one fell swoop appealed to Absalom and the leaders.  With the backing of the entire nation, it didn’t seem possible to be defeated.  They had no idea that God was answering David’s prayer by annulling Ahithophel’s advice.  Absalom was not going to get by with his sin.

While it is wise to get advice, one needs to remember that ultimately, the responsibility falls on oneself.  Choosing the option that most appealed would turn out to be a fatal decision.