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David returns to his seat
Hello Everyone:
In our story today, we get David’s response to Joab’s accusation that because of his mourning for his son, he has showed that he cares more for his enemy than the men of Israel who risked their lives for him in battle and brought victory.
Here is the text:
II Samuel 19:8 So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,” they all came before him. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes. 9 Throughout the tribes of Israel, the people were all arguing with each other, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines. But now he has fled the country because of Absalom; 10 and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?” 11 King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters? 12 You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab.‘ ” 14 He won over the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man.
David does get up from his mourning and takes his seat in the Gateway. The Israelites have all fled to their homes for they are embarrassed that they chose Absalom over David and that David and his men have now defeated the men who tried to take away his kingdom.
Under normal circumstances when a king or kingdom is under attack when the victory is won, the elders of the city would restore the king to his rightful place, however this time, they are embarrassed and arguing among themselves. No one knows what to do and there is no talk about bringing the king back.
David reaches out to them and tells them that they are his brothers, his own flesh and blood and instructed them that they should not be the last ones to bring him back or welcome him back to his position. David also does something else very strategic. He replaces Joab with Amasa and makes him the new commander of his army.
David still has not addressed how Absalom dies. We will continue our journey on tomorrow.
Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.