Life of David: The Return of the King

Text: 2 Samuel 19:8-20:22

Theme: David deals appropriately with his friends and enemies to regain their confidence in him as their king.

Date: 10/17/2021 File name: King_David_16 ID Number: OT10-19

Psalm 55:1-23 written during David’s exile during Absalom’s rebellion.

• The King Returns

• The King Reconciles

• The King Rewards

• The King Reigns

I. THE KING RETURNS

1 Samuel 19:8-15

1. Absalom’s coup de tete has been defeated, and Absalom killed

2. the remnants of Absalom’s army has dispersed and made their way back to their homes

A. THE GREAT DEBATE — DO WE RESTORE DAVID?

1. once the men of Israel have returned home, the great debate begins throughout the nation ... Do we put David back on the throne or not?

a. in every revolution there are always three sides ...

1) those firmly in favor of political change — these are Absalom’s followers

2) those firmly in favor of political status-quo — these are David’s followers

3) those who are firmly neutral and are simply waiting to see which side wins

2. 2 Samuel 19:9 give us a sense of the political debate going on within the nation

a. the side for political change has lost, but a nation cannot survive without a government

ILLUS. Right now the countries of Somalia, Yemen, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and half-a-dozen other nations are in the unenvious position of being failed nation/states. These are nations where there is no national government or where the national government is inept or incapable of administering the nation. All of these nations have devolved into anarchy with various parts of the country being ruled by gangs and warlords.

b. Israel knows from it’s own history during the era of the Judges that a nation where everyone did what was right in his own eyes is not a way to live

c. in every village, town and city the elders debate the nation’s political future

“And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom.” (2 Samuel 19:9, ESV)

d. they’re weighing David’s competence as a leader

1) yes, he delivered us from our enemies; yes, he brought stability to the nation; yes, we’ve been prosperous under his leadership, but ...

2) when his own son rebelled, he fled ... is this the kind of King we want? Can be trust his leadership?

3. the ten tribes in the north of Israel all agree that bringing David back is a good idea, but there is the proverbial fly in the ointment — David’s own tribesmen are not enthusiastic about restoring David to the throne

“But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”” (2 Samuel 19:10, ESV)

a. this verse is an inter-tribal dialogue — the ten northern tribes (Israel) are prodding Judah ... “You’re being awful quiet about this. What’s going on?”

4. David hears of Judah’s reluctance and sends his priestly allies Zadok and Abiathar to shore up his support

a. David uses three strategies

“And King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king? 12 You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’ ”” (2 Samuel 19:11–13, ESV)

1) 1st he reminds them that the ten northern tribes have already made the decision to restore David to his throne

a) does Judah really want to be the odd-man-out plunging the nation into chaos?

2) 2nd he reminds them that blood is thicker than water; he’s one of them, he’s of the tribe of Judah

3) 3rd, in a shrewd, nakedly political move, he appoints Amasa — his nephew who had rebelled with Absalom and served as his command-‘n-chief — as general over David’s army

a) first, it would show all rebels the extent of David’s forgiveness, since Amasa had been their commander

b) secondly, David took pleasure in displacing Joab, who had been responsible for killing Absalom

b. David’s plan works

“And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, “Return, both you and all your servants.” 15 So the king came back to the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring the king over the Jordan.” (2 Samuel 19:14–15, ESV)

The King Returns

II. THE KING RECONCILES

1 Samuel 19:16-30

1. one of the big questions faced by a regime after a failed coup de tete is what do you do with the survivors of the rebellion?

a. David’s in a tight political spot ... he had to show graciousness and forgiveness to former rebels without angering loyal supporters

b. throughout the history of the world leaders who survive a coup attempt normally take the opportunity to purge known and potential rivals while also deterring future coup conspirators

ILLUS. 1937 was known as the “Year of the Great Purge” in the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin was so paranoid of a coup de tete that he had approximately one-million military leaders, political leaders, intellectuals, and perceived counter-revolutionaries executed. And that was without an actual coup attempt against him. (Hitler was a armature mass-murderer compared to Stalin).

c. David was different — he offered grace and reconciliation

2. many of David’s political enemies from the previous chapters now come to the Jordan River to meet David’s entourage and seek forgiveness

a. Shimei is there ... he’s the one who cursed David and threw stones at him after David and his supporters have fled Jerusalem and are trudging up the slope of the Mount of Olives

1) hindsight being 20/20 Shimei, realizing the peril he put himself in, now seeks forgiveness

“And Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, from Bahurim, hurried to come down with the men of Judah to meet King David. ... And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was about to cross the Jordan, 19 and said to the king, “Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.”” (2 Samuel 19:16–20, ESV)

2) Abishai, David’s nephew and Joab’s brother, remembers Shimei’s insults recommends immediate execution

3) David is more merciful

“And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king gave him his oath.” (2 Samuel 19:23, ESV)

b. Ziba is there ... schmoozing, and attempting to curry even more favor with David

1) he has arrived with his fifteen sons, and twenty servants

“ ... And Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and his twenty servants, rushed down to the Jordan before the king, 18 and they crossed the ford to bring over the king’s household and to do his pleasure. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was about to cross the Jordan,” (2 Samuel 19:17–18, ESV)

2) as we will see in a moment, Ziba is not so much a loyal follower as he is a toady and an opportunist

c. Mephibosheth is there ... the one whom Ziba accused of wanting to re-establish the dynasty of Saul

1) Mephibosheth pleads his case saying that Ziba had purposely left him behind, and then lied about his reason for remaining in Jerusalem

2) he had no intention of attempting to regain his grandfather Saul’s throne

a) Mephibosheth’s story has a ring of probability to it and seems to compromise Ziba’s story

3) David is half-convinced that Mephibosheth’s story is true, and divides Saul’s family land holdings 50-50 between Mephibosheth and Ziba (Ziba, afterall, did aid David in his flight from Absalom)

d. Amasa is not there ... but David has already decided to not only let him live, but to retain him as general over the army

The King Reconciles

III. THE KING REWARDS

1 Samuel 19:31-40

1. Barzillai the Gileadite is mentioned ten times in the Old Testament, and is described as a wealthy man from Rogelim in Gilead

a. during David’s brief time of exile, Barzillai was one of several key people who provided for the needs of David’s household

“When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”” (2 Samuel 17:27–29, ESV)

2. when the rebellion ended, Barzillai accompanied David and his people to the shore of the Jordan River where they would cross back into Judah on their way to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 19:31)

a. at the time, Barzillai was 80 years old

b. David offered for Barzillai to return to Jerusalem with him so he could return his kindness and care for his needs

3. Barzillai respectfully turned down David’s offer, seeking to live out the rest of his days in his own land instead

a. however, Barzillai asked if Kimham to cross over instead

1) Kimham’s identity is uncertain, but the assumption is that he is related to Barzillai

2) 1 Kings 2:7 implies that this is one of Barzillai’s sons

b. David promises to do for Kinham all that he would have done for Barzillai

c. biblical evidence suggests that David kept his commitment

1) in Jeremiah 41:17 the prophet mentions a site near Bethlehem named Geruth Kimham meaning The Hospitality accorded to Kimham

2) it implies that David provided his charge with an estate not far from the king’s hometown

d. when David is on his deathbed, he gives instructions to his son Solomon as he transitions the kingdom to him

“But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom” (1 Kings 2:7, NIV)

The King Rewards

IV. THE KING REIGNS

1 Samuel 19:41-20:26

1. David is not back on his throne very long when he has to assert his sovereign reign over the nation

a. with great fanfare, David and his royal entourage are escorted back across the Jordan River

b. there David receives a large delegation of Jews from both Israel and Judah

c. but all is not harmonious, and they begin to squabble

1) old memories, and bitter rivalries dating back 40 years to the beginning of David’s reign resurface

2. the men of Israel fear that the soldiers from David’s own tribe — Judah — are attempting to overtly influence the King to the exclusion of Israel’s interests

a. the Judeans retort that “Hey, he is one of us — bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh”

b. Israel’s counter-response is that there were 10 tribes of them, and thus their claim on David was more weighty ... and besides, they had been the very first to support David’s restoration as king while Judah had procrastinated

c. the situation descends into a shouting match

“ ... But the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.” (2 Samuel 19:43, ESV)

A. SHEBA ANNOUNCES AN SUCCESSION

“Now there happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said, “We have no portion in David, and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel!” 2 So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem.” (2 Samuel 20:1–2, ESV)

1. the details and time line for this insurrection are found here in chapter 20

Sheba leads off the men of Israel in a fit of resentful displeasure

David returns to Jerusalem, reclaims his monarchy, and immediately puts Amasa in charge of raising an army to pursue and stop Sheba — he has three days. David is more concerned about Sheba’s insurrection than he was of Absalom’s attempted coup, saying, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom” (2 Samuel 20:6)

Because Amasa delays in his assignment, David fires his general and appoints a new commander over the army — Abishai

“And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us.”” (2 Samuel 20:6, ESV)

As Abishai and his army marches northward, Amasa and his recruits join up at the great stone that is in Gibeon (2 Samuel 20:8), and there Joab, who is David’s nephew and Abishai’s brother, takes the opportunity to kill Amasa (as the say, “In front of God and everyone”)

As Sheba heads north, he attempts to recruit more men from the ten northern tribes, but only his own clan, the Bichrites, follow him to the fortified city of Beth-maacah a city on the boarder between Israel and Syria

David’s army reaches the city and immediately lays siege to it

“And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah. They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down.” (2 Samuel 20:15, ESV)

A wise woman of the city seeks a parlay with Joab; she tells Joab that she is loyal to the nation and the citizens of her city are loyal to the nation, what is it that Joab wants so as not to destroy the city? Joab’s response is give up Sheba and we will withdraw

Within a very short period of time, Sheba’s head comes flying over the wall!

“Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.” (2 Samuel 20:22, ESV)

2. the insurrection is over, David reasserts control over the nation, and tensions begin to subside as an entire nation wants to get back to “life as normal”

The King Reigns

V. LESSONS

1. Don’t Make Decisions in the Heat of the Moment or You May Loose Your Head

2. People Can Be Fickle in Their Loyalties

a. just a few days before, most of Israel was supporting the rebel ruler Absalom

1) now the people wanted David back as their king

b. because crowds are often fickle, there must be a higher moral code to follow than the pleasure of the majority

c. following the moral principles given in God’s Word will help you avoid being swayed by the popular opinions of the crowd

3. We All Need to Throw Ourselves at the Feet of the King for Mercy

a. David showed tremendous mercy and generosity as he returned to Jerusalem

b. he spared Shimei, and restored Mephibosheth and rewarded Barzillai

c. it’s an Old Testament illustration of God’s grace and mercy toward sinners who deserve nothing but condemnation and death

More importantly do you see the Messianic Pattern illustrated in David’s actions here. All the things we see in David’s life are true of Christ’s life.

1) Jesus, who is King of kings and Lord of lords will return to establish his kingdom.

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”” (Revelation 11:15, ESV)

2) When the King returns will reconcile all things to himself.

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:19–20, ESV)

3) When the King returns he will reward his people.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV)

4) When the King returns he will reign forever.

“Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:7, ESV)