II Samuel 19:9-39
Dear RTB’ers,
Although David had never actually stopped being king, much of Israel had chosen to follow Absalom. Now that Absalom is dead, his followers need to reverse their loyalties and bring David back to Jerusalem as the king over all the tribes of Israel. His coming back begins with his own tribe, Judah. Recall that Absalom had gone to Hebron, one of the leading cities of Judah to begin his rebellion. So David speaks to the elders of Judah, asking them to be the first to bring him back, since they were also the first to join Absalom’s rebellion.
Justice or mercy? David has decisions to make concerning those people who followed Absalom. First he names Absalom’s military commander, Amasa to be commander of his own army, thereby replacing Joab. Scripture does not tell us explicitly whether David knew that it was Joab who killed Absalom. However, his words to his son, Solomon in 1 Kings 2:5-6 suggest that he never knew that truth: Now you yourself also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed; … So act as your wisdom dictates, and do not let his gray hair go down to Sheol in peace. In that small speech David mentions both Abner and Amasa, but not Absalom, so maybe David never knew that truth?
David also has to deal with Shimei, who had cursed him as he was fleeing Jerusalem, and with Ziba, who misled him about his master, Mephibosheth. In both cases, mercy prevailed; David had seen enough of revenge and death. Mephibosheth’s words seem to echo David’s heart: Mephibosheth said to the king, “Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home.” (v. 39b) Peace. Mercy. Rest? Then there’s tomorrow…! There is no rest for David!
Blessings!