Restoration
Broken Crown, Unshakable Kingdom • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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1 It was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping. He’s mourning over Absalom.” 2 That day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the troops because on that day the troops heard, “The king is grieving over his son.” 3 So they returned to the city quietly that day like troops come in when they are humiliated after fleeing in battle. 4 But the king covered his face and cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”
Chapter 19 runs together with chapter 18 - we pick up immediately after David has discovered that while he is safe and victory is theirs, his son, Absalom, is dead.
As Joab made his was back to Mahanaim he received a report that the king was overcome with grief.
David was more that just sad - he was grieving so deeply that he would become almost useless as he sat, fasted, didn’t bathe, put ashes on his head and many other possible means of mourning. All this would have been magnified due to the fact that David would not be able to honor the body of his dead child.
At one point the troops would have been joyous - laughing, dancing and celebrating the victory.
Then they heard how hard the king was taking the death of Absalom - their devotion and love for the king led them to lose their enthusiasm after the victory.
Instead of their usual fanfare after a victory the soldiers stole into the city quietly almost like they lost the battle.
To their dismay the reports were true, the king has covered his face and is crying it for his son, Absalom.
5 Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have shamed all your soldiers—those who saved your life as well as your sons, your wives, and your concubines—6 by loving your enemies and hating those who love you! Today you have made it clear that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. In fact, today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would be fine with you! 7 “Now get up! Go out and encourage your soldiers, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will remain with you tonight. This will be worse for you than all the trouble that has come to you from your youth until now!” 8 So the king got up and sat in the city gate, and all the people were told, “Look, the king is sitting in the city gate.” Then they all came into the king’s presence. Meanwhile, each Israelite had fled to his tent.
David had made no effort to hide his grief and his highly public actions incensed Joab so much that he immediately charged into the king’s presence.
The king must have established a more lax protocol with his leaders - either that or Joab did not not care.
He charged right in a began to rebuke David for his behavior.
Joab accused David of bringing shame to or humiliating his soldiers - reminding the king that hese men just saved his life and the lives of all his family (except Absalom).
The result of Davids actions in effect is saying to the troops, “I wish my enemy, my son Absalom, was alive even if it meant you all were dead.”
Not only is his behavior wrong it is foolish as well. David had deeply offended his troops and he needed to fix that immediately - if not he faced am issue worse than Absalom.
If not fixed Joab warns the king that not a “man will remain with you tonight”.
Joab then orders, thats right orders the king to get up and go encourage his soldiers - It is important to have those around you who truly have your best interest in mind and are not afraid to speak truth in difficult situations.
Joab’s actions, even his killing of Absalom, saved David’s kingship - remember, Absalom was guilty of a capital offense and deserved death according to the Torah.
David listened and went down to the city gate- the troops saw this and came and presented themselves before him - the enemy forces all went home.
9 People throughout all the tribes of Israel were arguing among themselves, saying, “The king rescued us from the grasp of our enemies, and he saved us from the grasp of the Philistines, but now he has fled from the land because of Absalom. 10 But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”
The nation of Israel is in flux, they are without a king.
The people realize that David was the one who saved them from all their enemies but then he left because of Absalom.
Absalom rallied the people to follow him but now he is dead (ironically after fighting against David).
The people were ok getting rid of one, the replacement is dead and now they have no viable alternative but to return to the original… David.
11 King David sent word to the priests Zadok and Abiathar: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace? The talk of all Israel has reached the king at his house. 12 You are my brothers, my flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?’ 13 And tell Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me and do so severely if you don’t become commander of my army from now on instead of Joab!’ ” 14 So he won over all the men of Judah, and they unanimously sent word to the king: “Come back, you and all your servants.” 15 Then the king returned. When he arrived at the Jordan, Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and escort him across the Jordan.
The rest of Israel has made the decision to restore David as king but Judah, which lent strong support to Absalom is still holding back.
It is time to bring them back into the fold - David did not sit idle, hoping his own tribe would reaffirm their support but he took active steps to gain the acceptance again. Sometimes when another person does wrong against you, you have to take the steps to make it right.
David’s first steps was to send a message to the priests Zadok and Abiathar to rally the elders of Judah on behalf of David.
The second step was to offer Amasa - David’s nephew and key member of Absalom’s regime - the position of Army commander in place of Joab. This would help build bridges with those who had served under Amasa - it would also punish Joab for his insubordination in the matter of killing Absalom. Sometimes doing what my be the right thing still has consequences.
His actions worked and he won the hearts of the people back and thus the invitation to return to Jerusalem was offered to David.
So David and the people went home - it was the Judahites who met him and escorted him the rest of the way to Jerusalem.
David is a great example and a foreshadowing of our relationship with Jesus - Jesus who did not nothing but the right thing was turned on by those he came to save… both David and Jesus show us that forgiveness is a better alternative than retribution.
16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 There were a thousand men from Benjamin with him. Ziba, an attendant from the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants also rushed down to the Jordan ahead of the king. 18 They forded the Jordan to bring the king’s household across and do whatever the king desired. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell facedown before the king 19 and said to him, “My lord, don’t hold me guilty, and don’t remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. But look! Today I am the first one of the entire house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.”
David’s return meant high anxiety for those who had openly opposed him.
There was none more vocal than Shimei - who went out of his way to curse David.
Now Shimei is one of the first to come and welcome David back - he and those with him did not wait for David but went through the water to help bring the king and his followers across.
Probably still wet from the crossing, Shimei fell down before David offered repentance and asked for forgiveness and mercy.
Shimei’s words sound familiar - Luke 23:34 “34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided his clothes and cast lots.” and the thief Luke 23:42 “42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.””
This again shows us repentance can reveal grace and mercy for a multitude of “sins”
21 Abishai son of Zeruiah asked, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” 22 David answered, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? Have you become my adversary today? Should any man be killed in Israel today? Am I not aware that today I’m king over Israel?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” Then the king gave him his oath.
Of course in the path to forgiveness there will often be those who want to hold on to the past…
Abishai reminded the king that is was Shimei who cursed the “Lord’s anointed” and because of that he violated Torah and deserved death.
The Torah does no explicitly mandate such a penalty - Care must be taken to to mis-use the word of the Lord.
David showed mercy especially in the face of victory, he would not kill a fellow Israelite so he swore and oath that Shimei would not be killed for his crime against the throne - Amittedly he probably deserved to die and he will be punished but on another day and for another reason.
24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you come with me?” 26 “My lord the king,” he replied, “my servant Ziba betrayed me. Actually your servant said, ‘I’ll saddle the donkey for myself so that I may ride it and go with the king’—for your servant is lame. 27 Ziba slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God, so do whatever you think best. 28 For my grandfather’s entire family deserves death from my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. So what further right do I have to keep on making appeals to the king?” 29 The king said to him, “Why keep on speaking about these matters of yours? I hereby declare: you and Ziba are to divide the land.” 30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has come to his palace safely, let Ziba take it all!”
Okay so we have to backtrack a little here - Mephibosheth’s servant Ziba came to David and basically told him that Mephibosheth was going to side with Absalom.
Ziba brought with him supplies and because he came David rewarded him and punished Mephibosheth but giving all of Mephibosheth’s land to Ziba.
Now, Mephibosheth made the 20 mile check to meet the king - he was not the only one but he made proportionately more effort than the others since Mephibosheth was lame in both feet.
Mephibosheth’s appearance was considerably more unflattering as well - he had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes - this inattention to details of personal health indicates he may have been profoundly mourning for a considerable period of time.
David was mystified - he asked him why he had not come with him when they fled - David believed Ziba’s testimony coupled with Mephibosheth’s absence reinforced the idea that Mephibosheth was part of the revolt.
Mephibosheth says that his servant Ziba betrayed him and lied about him.
He also yielded the outcome completely in the hands of David - he admits his family probably deserves death and that he has already been given more than he deserves so he will not ask any more of the king.
David is now in a quandary - on one hand Ziba provided invaluable assistance during a time of great need and gave a convincing testimony regarding Mephibosheth - on the other Mephibosheth had provided direct physical evidence and credible oral testimony to the effect that he had always been loyal to David.
Neither claim regarding Mephibosheth could be refuted beyond reasonable doubt with the evidence at hand.
David amended his previous judgment so now Ziba and Mephibosheth would divided Saul’s land.
Instead of expressing joy of the change of judgment - Mephibosheth says Ziba can have it all he’s just glad the king has returned home (Mephibosheth had a place in the kings palace so he really would not be losing anything.
31 Barzillai (Barzillay) the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim and accompanied the king to the Jordan River to see him off at the Jordan. 32 Barzillai (Barzillay) was a very old man—eighty years old—and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the needs of the king while he stayed in Mahanaim. 33 The king said to Barzillai (Barzillay), “Cross over with me, and I’ll provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.”
The king was impressed with Barzillai (Barzillay) and the effort he took to welcome the king home.
He offers for him to come stay with him in Jerusalem and be cared for the rest of his life.
34 Barzillai (Barzillay) replied to the king, “How many years of my life are left that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I’m now eighty years old. Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Since your servant is only going with the king a little way across the Jordan, why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant return so that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham (kimham); let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him what seems good to you.” 38 The king replied, “Chimham (kimham) will cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you, and whatever you desire from me I will do for you.” 39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai (Barzillay) and blessed him, and Barzillai (Barzillay) returned to his home. 40 The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham (kimham) went with him. All the troops of Judah and half of Israel’s escorted the king.
Barzillai (Barzillay) was appreciative of the kings offer but found it unappealing.
He was 80 years old and have nothing significant to gain by moving to Jerusalem - his health was deteriorating and he could no longer experience the pleasures of a life in the roayl court.
At this point in life Barzillai (Barzillay) was more concerned with a dignified death than a dynamic life - he wanted to live at his family home.
But if the king wanted to do something to honor Barzillai (Barzillay) then he should take Chimham (kimham) and give him whatever the king desired to give Barzilla (Barzillay).
David agreed and took Chimham (kimham).
Finally, all the people had been taken care of, the issues put in order - now they can finally cross the Jordan.
41 Suddenly, all the men of Israel came to the king. They asked him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and transport the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all of David’s men?” 42 All the men of Judah responded to the men of Israel, “Because the king is our relative. Why does this make you angry? Have we ever eaten anything of the king’s or been honored at all?” 43 The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, so we have a greater claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Weren’t we the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the words of the men of Judah were harsher than those of the men of Israel.
The return fans an old and ugly dynamic to come into play - the conflict between Judah and the rest of Israel.
The issue at hand… Judah had more soldiers accompanying the king than the rest of Israel so he must favor them more.
David didn’t get answer but the men of Judah spoke up reminded them of their status as “next of kin” but they have not abuse it.
All this hubbub is because of David’s sin which Nathan prophesied about 2 Samuel 12:10 “10 Now therefore, the sword will never leave your house because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hethite to be your own wife.’”
