“Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.” And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.”
So, they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle. But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Then Joab went into the house and said to the king, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, of your wives, and of your concubines. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you! For you have made it clear today that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would have pleased you!
Now therefore get up! Go out and speak comfort to your servants, for I swear by the LORD that if you do not go out, not a man will remain with you tonight. This will be worse for you than all the adversity that has befallen you from your youth until now!”
So, the king got up and sat in the gate, and all the people were told: “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” So, they all came before the king.
Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled, each man to his home. And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”
Then King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace, since the talk of all Israel has reached the king at his quarters? You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?’ And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from this time you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’”
So, he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man, and they sent word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants.” So, the king returned, and when he arrived at the Jordan, the men of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and escort him across the Jordan.”
Joab is just about at the end of his tether! Despite David’s orders to spare Absalom, Joab murdered Absalom as Absalom hung in tree branches caught by his hair. Now Joab is attempting to make up for that mistake by blustering at David. But if Joab is revolted at David, he has good reason. Here Joab and David’s soldiers have saved the lives of David, his family, and his followers, and David is behaving as if their lives are less important than Absalom’s. In this case, Joab is right. Blinded by delayed guilt, David is mourning not only for Absalom but also for all of his past mistakes. But that public mourning needs to stop immediately. David needs to set aside his grief for the good of his family, his army, and his followers. If David wants to do any more grieving, he needs to do it in private. David realizes the sense of this warning and sits in the city gate where everyone can see him. (This is likely the city of Mahaniam, east of the Jordan.)
Now the Israelites who have fled to their homes are beginning to remember all the good things that King David has done for them. Absalom, the man they hailed as king, is dead; what should they do? Why not restore David to the throne? David is aware of the groundswell of support for him from the other tribes of Israel and messages the priests and elders of Judah, hinting them that they should also be demanding his return.
One puzzling part of this message is the message to Amasa, promoting him to head David’s armies in Joab’s place. What’s wrong with David? Joab and David have been at odds with each other ever since David forced Joab to place Uriah in the hottest part of the battle so that Uriah would be killed. Joab began losing trust in David from that point onwards. Joab has killed Absalom, despite David’s orders not to, and has then reproved David for making a public spectacle of his grief over Absalom. Now Joab no longer trusts David, and David no longer trusts Joab. But what about Amasa? 2 Samuel 17:25 tells us that Absalom appointed Amasa as head of his army in place of Joab! If David is so concerned about Joab’s loyalty, why is he choosing Amasa, who was heading Absalom’s army? To make matters more confusing, we learn that Amasa’s father was married to Joab’s mother’s sister, Joab’s aunt. But David plays the appeal to family and tribal loyalties, and the men of Judah gladly escort David across the Jordan.
APPLICATION: Here David nearly makes a fatal mistake. Caught up in guilt and grief over the results of old sins and the loss of a son, David almost turns his back on all those who have risked their lives on his behalf. There are times when we may share grief with our friends, but this is not the moment for David to do so. Joab’s advice is blunt, to the point, and correct. This situation is not merely all about David, and it’s time for him to reach out to those around him and comfort them.
Is David being wise in reaching out specifically to the men of Judah while ignoring potential supporters from other parts of Israel? Probably not. At this point, David appears to be a bit confused and to be grasping for support.
David’s treatment of Joab is also troubling. Joab is no angel; however, Joab has risked his life many times on David’s behalf and has tried to give him the best military advice he could. David’s order to spare Absalom’s life makes little sense when you realize the scope of the battle and the terrain on which it is being fought. One wonders, however, if Joab has killed Absalom in delayed reprisal for the death of Uriah? Truly, David’s sins with Bathsheba and Uriah continue to generate repercussions.
As leaders, we need to look carefully at this part of David’s life. When you have been attacked, it is tempting to lash out and to take quick decisions to get rid of anyone you feel is not loyal to you. But such decisions may prove to create more problems than they solve. May all of us in leadership learn from David’s mistakes and seek God’s guidance as we continue to lead!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to always look to you for guidance and not to make hasty decisions when we are pressured or being attacked. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment