True Friends for David

David’s Friends in the Struggle

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.”

After David’s sin with Bathsheba and as Absalom tried to take over the kingdom David was in need of faithful and true friends. He was aided by them in his trials and they provide us a unique look into the principle of true godly friendships.

Nathan

Pronounces Truth

2 Samuel 12:1–8

2 Samuel 12:7–8 “Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more!”

Nathan spoke the words of God to David.

Nathan was not sentimental.

Nathan did not hold anything back.

Nathan gave David an opportunity to reflect on his actions.

Nathan supported David in his repentance.

Nathan stuck by David through his consequences.

Nathan’s words told David the depths of God’s love for him, along with the depths of His disappointment. How much more God would have done had David been faithful.

True friendship sees the big picture of what God can do. All too often we settle for mediocre when we are a child of the King. A true friend pronounces truth in the storm.

Ittai the Gittite

Loyalty

2 Sam 15:18–22

“Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king. Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place. In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you.” But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.” So David said to Ittai, “Go, and cross over.” Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over.”

Who was Ittai? he was a mercenary officer from Davids time in Gath. His loyalty is admirable and an example to us today of someone who would honor his commitment instead of taking the easy way out. When David was leaving Jerusalem he offered Ittai an option to stay in the capital. Without hesitation, Ittai promised renewed allegiance to David in life or death. Better to be a friend near, someone that can be a help and used by God.

Proverbs 27:10 “Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.”

in life or death

Zadok and Abiathar

Faithful in Action

2 Samuel 15:23–28

“And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness. There was Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city. Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. But if He says thus: ‘I have no delight in you,’ here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.” The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.””

Zadok and Abiathar were faithful priests. They went out with David toward the wilderness, but were sent back. They became part of David’s undercover informants. They were able to get the latest information about what the kings son, Absalom was up to. David was on the run again and up to date information could save his life and the kingdom.

Psalm 43:3–5 “Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”

When in a desperate situation a little encouragement means a lot. David got hope because the words of a few men kept him on his feet. Job 4:4 “Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, And you have strengthened the feeble knees;”

Hushai the Archite

Loyal Means Sacrifice and Risk

2 Samuel 15:30–37

“So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up. Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God—there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me. But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father’s servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,’ then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me.” “And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? Therefore it will be that whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall tell to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. Indeed they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear.” So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.”

David sent Hushai, a close counselor, back to counsel Absalom. Hushai’s joined David’s secret contingent in Jerusalem. He was used to frustrate the plans and advise of Ahithophel. This gave David time to properly respond to Absalom’s conspiratorial plans and thwart Ahithophel’s military advise. This gave David a distinct advantage.

Listen to the godly advice of true friends. It can save you heartache and help you win battles with the enemy.

Shobi, Machir and Barzillai

Support and Sacrifice

2 Samuel 17:27–29

“Now it happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the people of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.””

David and his men had to leave Jerusalem in a hurry. There was little time to be equipped for an extended wilderness stay. We are rarely prepared for the things the enemy throws at us. Situations can escalate quickly and leave us with little or no provisions. True friends are born for these times. It can be sometimes surprising where help comes from when we are in great need.

Heb 4:16 tells us of a throne and He who sits on it. It describes the nature of the God of all grace that is always willing, ready, and able to help.

We read here of Shobi, Machir, and Barsillai. Three local chiefs who come to the aid of David and his men. They see the need and immediately come with provisions and help.

There will be some who say “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?” (MT 25:37b). It is the innate characteristic of real Christians to help and give aid in someones time of need. Just like the good Samaritan, we are called to be good friends and support and sacrifice.

Joab

Wisdom in Relationships and Healing

2 Samuel 19:1–8

“And Joab was told, “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 it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.” And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. But the king covered his face, and the king cried out with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who today have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines, in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well. Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now.” Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told all the people, saying, “There is the king, sitting in the gate.” So all the people came before the king. For everyone of Israel had fled to his tent.”

Joab brings David to the truth.