When David hears the news about Absalom’s death…
“And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
2 Samuel 18:33 ESV
“It was told Joab, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle.”
2 Samuel 19:1-3 ESV
David is so heartbroken over his son that what should’ve been a victory – in fact an incredible victory! 4000 defeating a huge of tens of thousands – it feels like defeat.
And Joab – he’s not about to put up with it.
David’s grief is understandable. But all the men who just risked death to protect David are basically being told they failed anyway.
We may not like Joab much. He was a tough-as-nails kind of man. But David needed someone in his life right now who would have the guts to tell him the truth to his face. And Joab was nothing if not gutsy. He chewed David out for caring more about his rebel son than all the men who fought for him and his own family. Then he threatened David…
“Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before.”
2 Samuel 19:7 NLT
There may be an implication tucked in here that Joab would be only too glad to lead the troops away and abandon David.
It seems that the lecture from Joab didn’t sit well with David because he sent word to his cousin Amasa (who had been leading the army of Absalom) that David was offering him Joab’s job.
The Procession Back to Jerusalem
David and his thousands make their way back through the wilderness along the Jordan River to the crossing point just east of Gilgal. There is quite a group come to meet him.
Remember Shimai – the descendant of Saul who cursed David as he fled Jerusalem and had a hissy fit, throwing rocks and dirt? That turkey had the nerve to be the first in line to welcome David back. Again, Abishai offers to kill him and again David has to keep his hot-blooded nephew in check. David spares Shimai, but we haven’t heard the last of this.
Remember Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth? Well… he and his 15 sons and 20 servants are right there with Shimai too. Ziba had told David that Mephibosheth was happy to have David leave because he had his sights set on the throne for himself.
Lies. All lies.
Mephibosheth shows up – probably riding a donkey. (And probably smelling like one.)
He had intended to go with David, but Ziba wouldn’t help him. In his crippled state, he couldn’t go without help.
I think David is a little burned by all this deception. So he gives half of Mephibosheth’s land to Ziba. Mephibosheth doesn’t care.
“Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my Lord the king!”
2 Samuel 19:30 NLT
Good old Barzillai – 80 years young – has made the trip to escort David back across the Jordan. David invites him to come live in Jerusalem. I love Barzillai’s honest reply:
“No,” he replied, “I am far too old to go with the king to Jerusalem. I am eighty years old today, and I can no longer enjoy anything. Food and wine are no longer tasty, and I cannot hear the singers as they sing. I would only be a burden to my Lord the king. Just to go across the Jordan River with the king is all the honor I need! Then let me return again to die in my own town, where my father and mother are buried.”
2 Samuel 19:34-376 NLT
Barzillai sends his son Kimham in his place.
😲 Kimham? The Australian Ark Encounter guy?
😑 No. That’s KEN Ham. This is Kimham.
🤭 Oh… Yeah. Not sure how Ken Ham would’ve popped up in the OT anyway.
😏 Well,, he kinda made the OT pop up in Kentucky, so…
The Argument…
The 10 tribes of Israel got into an argument with the tribe of Judah (and presumably Benjamin?) It went something like this.
Israel: Daad! Judah stole my king!
Judah: Did not! He was MY king FIRST!
Israel: There’s 10 of us so we have 10 times as much right to him!
Judah: But he be-LONGS to ME!
Israel: But I brought him back FIRST!
Judah: But he was MY king FIRST!!!!
Israel: Not anymore! You gave him up.
Judah: So did you! You… you nincompoop!
Israel: Takes one to know one, birdbrains.
Judah: Ding bat!
Israel: MOOORRRON!
Kinda funny how people don’t really change. Also funny how one minute, everybody is ready to trash David and have Absalom in his place. Then, instantly, they’re all acting like they never got off the David-train.
This political instability is a problem and it’s going to cause trouble. Big trouble. This whole thing isn’t over yet, folks.
To The Reader 