Writings and Rants
So, previous to chapter 20, the men of Judah were arguing with the men of Israel about who owned David more, having recently all just abandoned him to Absalom's treachery.
Dear Lord! Now, in the midst of this, one "worthless fellow", named Sheba, a Benjaminite, decides to stir it up even further. He blows a trumpet and encourages everyone to go got to their tents to regroup an take on David-with no one having any inheritance in him.
...continue reading "II Samuel 20"Wiersbe starts this section by summarizing David's organization of the men and wending them out to go gently on Absalom, while Absalom has done nothing but rebel against David. Then Wiersbe points out that David is a man after God's own heart. David went easy on his sons and God give us chance after chance, mercy upon mercy, grace abounding and in return---we rebel. Thank God he goes light on us too.
Both Ahithophel (the traitorous advisor) and Absalom (the traitorous son) died hanging from trees- which for an Israelite- is a sign you were cursed by God.
Wiersbe says the theme of this chapter is Bringing Back the King. All of the years of the judges left the country divided and hungry. They had been healing under David and now that was fractured. With the death of Absalom, the people were hungry for healing.
Wiersbe introduces 5 steps to bring back the king for unity:
The Wiersbe book and the Ryrie Bible make a break here between chapter 19 verses 40-41. This starts the new section showing the uneasiness of the relationship between the northern 10 tribes of Israel, often called Israel or sons of Joseph- referring to Ephraim, one of two son of Joseph to inherit land and then Judah, being the tribes of Judah and Simeon.
II'll pick up this thread in Chapter 20.
As David wept, the people who had been celebrating the victory, turned to mourning the death of the King's son. They slinked back into the city quietly while David sobbed aloud. They were ashamed for breaking the king's heart and their victory became a loss.
Joab shows up and gives the king and absolute tongue thrashing. He points out that all of David's caterwauling shows those who fought to save the king, his family, and his throne, that the dead son meant more to him. And if Absalom had lived and they all died, David would be happier. Joab actually says that David has covered his people in shame.
Then Joab takes it up a notch and command David to go out and speak kindly to the servants who fought for him. He threatens David that if he does not, no man will stay and David will suffer more than he did for his whole life combined.
David does get up and go out to the gate. When people heard they assembled before him.
Meanwhile, those who tried to kill David and his followers returned home. People were quarreling over how to move forward. they seem to acknowledge David's situation and the fact that they had anointed Absalom and he was now dead. They wanted the elders to invite David back; but the elders had been in the front of the line with Absalom and were hesitant to bring back the man they had acted against.
v. 11 David sent word that they should invite him back and not fear. He emphasized that were all family- bone and flesh. He would keep Amasa as the head of the army- to show that the rebel army would be accepted, and to punish Joab for killing Absalom, most likely.
v.15 David headed toward home as far as the Jordan. Then his people from Judah met him and brought him across the river.
v. 16 The sleazy Bejaminite (Shimei) who heckled and threw rocks at David as he fled suddenly decides to show up with the supporters from Judah. Another thousand Benjamintes came to help and bring all of the household back across the Jordan. Shimei fell down and begged that David not take it personally that he cursed and tried to stone David.
v.21 Abishai, as always, suggested that Shimei be put to death for cursing God's anointed. David answers and calls him an adversary for stirring up trouble when David is coming back and trying to reconcile. He swears not to kill Shimei for his treachery.
v.24 Oh...and then then continuing sad story of Mephibosheth (Saul's grandson via Jonathan). When last we heard, David was fleeing and Mephibosheth's servant (Saul's previous servant) had brought gifts to engraciate himself with David; but lied and said that Mephibosheth stayed behind in revolt to claim back the kingdom.
Now, David finds Mephibosheth in a state of extreme grieve and mourning. He hadn't cared for his lame feet or any other basic hygiene. This was not a man revolting against the king, but a cripple who had been left behind and betrayed.
He came out from Jerusalem to meet the king and David asked why he hadn't fled with David. Mephibosheth told him about his servant's treachery when they were fleeing. He also explained that the servant has slandered him; but he trusted David to do whatever he thought was right. he points out that David had the right to kill everyone related to Saul and take the estate, so Mephibosheth had no claim now, especially since David had taken Mephibosheth into his own home and he didn't need the estate.
v. 29 So David proclaimed that Mephibosheth and Ziba (the servant) would split the estate. Mephibosheth said Ziba could have it all in celebration that the king had come home.
I wondered why David let Ziba keep half. It reminded me of Issac letting Jacob keep the firstborn blessing, even though it was earned by deceit. There seems to be some rule that your word must be upheld, even if earned by deceit. I would like to learn more about this.
But I also wondered if David felt genuinely indebted to Ziba for the provisions he brought when David needed it most.
Ryrie has three theories: David showed bad judgement, David wanted to avoid alienating Ziba, David didn't believe completely in Mephibosheth's innocence. So, none of these three align with the two I considered above. We'll see what Wiersbe has to say on the subject later.
v. 31 Apparently, while in Mahanaim, David was sustained by a wealthy old man named Barzillai. Barzillai came and met David at the Jordan and David asked him to come with him and promised to care for him in Jerusalem. But Barzillai pointed out that he was 80 years old and couldn't see, hear, or taste well anymore. He wanted to stay close to home and die near his ancestors.
But Barzillai did send his son or someone he was supportive of, Chimham. David promised to do whatever Chimham directed in repayment of Barzillai's generosity and support in David's time of need.
This seems like a key scene in David's journey. He was maneuvering between the past and the present in everyone one of these mini-dramas on the journey.
In all, the Jordan is once again such a strong symbol in the Bible. David crossing back to the Promise Land, wrestling with the past and making his way on a journey to the future. As usual, God is working through this at His own pace. Sometimes, especially when we are suffering, we want God to be a genie. Rub the bottle and get three wishes. But God tells the tale over time. He brings many characters into the journey and all of their tales intertwine. It's a tapestry and we are but threads. Pottery to the Potter. Servants of the king. The Lord loved David and was faithful to keep the covenant; but David made choices that forced the Lord to have to redeem David as part of being faithful to the covenant.
v. 40 Now the king went on to Gilgal, bringing Brazillai's envoy (son?) with him. By now, he had all of Judah and half of the rest of Israel accompanying him.
That's a strange thought. More than half of a nation journeying out to meet their king and bring him home. I wonder if this was a sign from God. that He moved in their hearts and brought them out to their king. Or a desire on their part to be a united nation once again under David? I guess it's not as hard to imagine when I remember the first time the Denver Broncos won a Super Bowl and HALF of the population of the state of Colorado poured into Denver for the welcome home celebration. If we can be that enthusiastic for a pro-sport team, how much more a people for their lost king's return.
But, of course, it was not so simple. The men of Israel were annoyed that the men of Judah had rushed ahead to bring the King across the Jordan. Apparently, it was not lost on any of them how strong that symbol was as well.
This is the end of Chapter 19, so I'll pause the action here to reflect on the last two chapter with the Wiersbe commentary in my next post. Then we'll conclude his journey home in Chapter 20.
I will add a thought to ponder. David is such a complex person. I feel like I would need to read this a hundred times to encapsulate it all. There were times when he fiercely abided by and defend the law and then time when he blatantly ignored God's law and time when he forgave others for doing the same. No one can be perfectly consistent over a lifetime (or even a day for most of us), but it is interesting to see in this person's life. To wonder how he could do the amazing and heroic things, only to watch him make such crazy mistakes.
I don't know what to make of it yet, it's just a topic I have floating around in the back of my head. the man who grieved cutting a piece of trim from Saul's robe then left and joined the Philistine army! The man who slayed the messenger of Saul's death murdered a man to cover up impregnating his wife. There were (relatively) small laws he kept to a "t", but huge laws he violated, seemingly without any regard.
Just to be clear, I am not judging, as I am riddled with my own sins and hypocrisies. It just stuns me to see it so clearly in others.
Maybe this is back to my earlier post- we want heroes and villains. We want our good guys bullet proof and our bad guys unlikable so we can cheer when they get their comeuppance. But humans aren't like that. Jesus is the only one who is perfect, without hypocrisy. He can save us. Wanting that from anyone else, even a type and shadow of Jesus, will leave you disappointed.
V. 1 Oh, wow. Chapter 18 starts with David numbering his people and setting up commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.
David divided the people into three groups. One led by Joab. One led by Joab's nephew. And one led by the leader of the Philistines that supported David and came back with him, Ittai.
Oh, this was all battle prep. David offered to go; but they told him to stay safe in the city walls.
He asked that they deal gently with "the young man, Absalom", for his sake. And everyone heard these instructions.
Then they went out and battled in the forest of Ephraim. They defeated Israel and 20,000 were slaughtered.
V9. Then it gets a little weird. Absalom is riding a mule through the dense forest and his magnificent, thick, heavy hair catches in the branches of oak trees. But his mule keeps going, so he is caught "between heaven and earth" and is just hanging there. Someone spots him and informs Joab.
It's a bit telling to me that he seems to be caught there alone, or his people would have been getting him out. Why is their commander in chief alone riding through the forest? And how did he not have the sense to get off the mule and walk with it so dense?
v. 14 Joab was furious with the anonymous man who reported it. Joab asked him why he hadn't slain Absalom when he had a chance. The man reminded Joab that the king had specifically asked that Joab deal gently with Absalom and he knew that even if he did it in secret, word would get back to David.
Joab said he didn't have time to argue, so he grabbed three spears and thrust them all through Absalom's heart while still alive and still hanging from the tree by his magnificent hair. Then 10 of Joab's armor bearers struck Absalom until he was dead. It seems like the spears through the heart would have done that...but apparently not.
v. 16At that point, Joab called off the pursuit of Israel with a trumpet sound. "Joab restrained the people." Once the traitorous leader died, the civil war was over. No need to inflect further damage to family. Israel fled.
v. 18 Then they dropped Absalom in a pit and and covered him with stones. Apparently, at some point in his life, Absalom had no sons and realized he wouldn't have a traditional legacy, so he built himself a monument to himself...
v 19-21 Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok wanted to run and tell the news to King David, but Joab wouldn't let him. Instead he send a Cushite slave to tell David. Ryrie theorizes that Joab send a Chusite and not and Israelite, in case David handled it poorly and reacted with violence. The Cushite ran off to tell the news.
Joab is such an interesting study. At times brash and selfish, but also loyal...sort of. It would be interesting to do a study with a timeline of his actions and try to understand him a little bit. He can be heartless and yet, seems like he's also part "good guy".
Ahimaaz asked again to be the one to tell the King. Joab asked him why, since there would be no reward in it for him (another data point about Joab that's not very flattering). But Ahimaaz persisted, so Joab sent him. He took another path and ran ahead of the Cushite messenger.
David is back in the city, waiting by the gate. As the watchmen announced the runners, David assumed good news.
Ahimaaz starts with the good news. The Lord your God delivered up those who came against you. Then he feigns ignorance about what happened to Absalom. The Cushite arrives and starts with the same good news. But he does let David know that Absalom was dead. No details about how or who yet.
David goes and grieves and wishes it was himself who died and not his son.
Absalom had claimed the kingdom; but to keep the kingdom he would need to hunt down and kill the real king, David. So he consulted with his two counselors, Ahithophel and Hushai, who was David's spy.
When someone first told David of Ahithophel's betrayal and alliance with Absalom David prayer that God would turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness. God answered that prayer.
Ahithophel's plan was good and he made himself the center of it. He would ride out at night, quickly while David was running and weary and murder him, bringing back David's followers and uniting the kingdom. Now that's a man with big plans and a big future for himself. But as wise as he was; he forgot the main thing in any plan-include God. Ahithophel's plan, as wise and "correct" as it was for meeting Absalom and his own goal, it didn't account for God's plan.
Hushai painted an elaborate portrait that Absalom couldn't resist. Absalom should bring all Israel together into a massive force, and he should lead it. He should spread out and attack all of David's men, leave no unloyal followers to come back to Jerusalem. If David's men got to a city, take it apart stone by stone. Magnificent. Mighty. Victory. You can just see Hushai working Absalom into a frenzy, forgetting that he had no military expertise or practical ability experience to execute this plan.
Once again, people strongly persuaded, even against their own interest...bu a story. Painted by a master storyteller.
Hushai sets the spy ring in motion to get the word to David. It reads like George Washington's spy ring in the US Revolutionary War. It would make a great movie. Wiersbe points out the parallel to the spies on the run in Joshua 2.
As to why Ahithophel hanged himself, Wiersbe has a simple explanation- Ahithopel was wise and did have tremendous understanding of the situation. Once he knew that his correct and wise advise had not been taken, he knew that he had backed the wrong king. He knew Absalom would fail and that would leave him a traitor in the old kingdom, not a ruler in the new one. Rather than all the shame and drama for his family, he put his affairs in order and took himself out.
We cannot ever think that that we have arrived in our faith. Sometimes smart people allow their intelligence to cause them to trust in their own thinking. He knew how wise he was. And once his need for vengeance against David become his goal, rather than serving the Lord, he lost his way. Since he was still smart, he still assumed everything he thought and did was wise. But his intelligence was a gift from God, and never his own. While it looked like it was still serving him and getting him the results he wanted...God had the final say.
Very, very convicting. They aren't our gifts. They are his gifts on loan to us to do His Good Will. When we try to use them outside of His will, it may look like things are going our way; but they won't. God's will will be done. With us helping or with us hanging from a tree.
Wiersbe points out several parallels between Ahithophel and Judas. He even has some references in the Psalms and the Gospel of John. I'll have to explore that another day. It looks interesting.
Also, Wiersbe point about Ahithophel was about ending well. Which is where I started to go above, but was inspired by God with what actually came out. So, I'd like to explore the idea of ending well, but for another day.
There is a rich vein of learning in this chapter!
The last section of the chapter is back to David's parallel experience. He hears from the spies and mobilizes his entourage to cross the Jordan. they arrive Mahanaim, the former capital of the 10 tribes when Saul's son was "king". Also where Jacob saw the army of angels to protect him.
David had friends bring provisions, and literally, God prepared a table for David as his enemies were approaching! (Psalm 23:5)
This was a full civil war. Absalom chose David's nephew (and Joab's cousin) as his military commander and made himself commander in chief (with no experience). So family against family all the way around.
Ahithophel's advice was to pursue David right away, that night.
And then there is this doosy of a sentence: "So the plan pleased Absalom and all of the elders of Israel.
Ouch. The elders for the whole nation had been spun into this wretched plot. They should have learned their lesson from backing Saul and had David's back. Because they let Saul run around unchecked, he was chasing David instead of building up the nation from the rubble it had been. And now they were backing Absalom's play? Disgraceful. When God anoints a king, you back him all the way! Why on earth would they go against God again so soon.
And I've asked this before, but what was going on with David that he lost control of his household, then the whole capital city, and then the whole nation. One commentary said he was sick; but he was well enough to flee barefoot and climb a hill?
Having said all of that, I have to confess my own lifetime of struggling with authority. Which I never once took to be rebellion against God but against all of the imperfect leaders in my life. Until, in Self-Confrontation class, I was digging into a problem areas and found rebellion. And like it or not- that rebellion is against God. Sin is our way of telling Him that we don't think His plan or provision is enough.
And that's what the elders were doing. Our sick king (or whatever their excuse was) isn't good enough. We'll choose a different king. [with no consideration of God's provision or plan]. And they saw the covenant. They heard the plan...but figured they'd still get God's promises from the covenant- David or not...
The Absalom called for Hushai the Archite to hear his counsel. (Reminder that Hushai was David's friend, whom David had sent back to infiltrate Absalom's court and spy for David.)
Hushai stated that Aihthophel's plan was no good because Aihthophel had made the wrong assumption about David's condition. Even though Aihthophel was correct in David being weary; Hushai reminded them of how strong and cunning David could be. And since he was on the defense, he would be a bear separated from her cubs. He would have separated from the people and be ready to ambush the pursuers. If Absalom's first attempt led to a defeat, the people would hear about it and Absalom would lose face in his early reign.
The sad thing is, that Hushai's ploy worked because all of that had been true about David. He had been strong and mighty and an expert at warfare. All of that should have been true. But Ahithophel had a better sense of the actual situation.
Absalom and the elders chose Hushai's advice and, if I understand this correctly, he explains that the Lord must've given Ahithophel bad counsel in order to bring down Absalom. So Absalom thinks he has outwitted God?
So Hushai's deception bought David and his entourage time. David's intelligence ring got the plan to him and he immediately got everyone across the Jordan and out of quick reach.
When Ahithophel saw that his advice hadn't been taken, he went home, got his affairs in order and killed himself.
I was quite shocked to see this. After all of these years, I still get shocked when there is a rape or a suicide, or some other human tragedy. I continue to misjudge what the Bible is and how relevant it is.
And I'm surprised Ahithophel had such a permanent, reactionary response. I wonder why he didn't stay and continue to try and counsel Absalom. Unless he could see clearly from this first episode that God was not on his side and it was going to end badly either way? I'll be curious to see if the commentaries have any explanations.
Ryrie simply says that he realized his cause was lost.
That's so truly sad and awful. He was so bent on revenge that when it became appearant he wouldn't get it, he would rather die.
So David is on the move and Absalom has taken lead of the men of Israel. They are in hot pursuit and have also crossed the Jordan.
Absalom replaced Joab as leader of the army.
Someone brought David and his people provisions as they were hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness.
Wiersbe points out that both Hushai and Ziba brought good things. Hushai was answer to prayer and Zibe brought things needed in the short term, but deceived David in a moment of weakness and caused problems in the long term. David knew Ziba was an opportunist and even questioned his motives; but then was probably braced to believe everyone would turn on him and believed it about Mephibosheth. Even though Mephiboseth was crippled and unlikely to lead an uprising; and had seemed genuinely moved to become part of David's household.
And why hadn't David accounted for Mophibosheth. He was supposed to be part of the family. David brought hundreds of servants, why not care for the crippled family member?
Between Satan's lies from Ziba and the continuous curses from Shimei, Saul's relative- David was being worn down. It sounds like the Shimei story is ongoing.
Here's what I was looking for.
"What did all this suffering accomplish for David? It made him more like Jesus Christ! He was rejected by his own people and betrayed by his own familiar friend. He gave up everything for the sake of his people... Like Jesus, David crossed the Kidron and went up Mount Olive. He was falsely accused and shamefully treated and yet submitted to the sovereign will of God. 'Who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.' (I peter 2:23 NKJV)
By all human counts, Absalom had the advantages. But David had the Lord.
Because David fled, it was a bloodless coup. which is what David wanted- the people of Jerusalem protected.
Hushai's song and dance manged to thread the needle between truth and lies while still convincing Absalom of his "loyalty". He promises to serve who God chose. He says long live the king, without adding a specific name, etc.
Wiersbe points out that David would seek God's will. Either through his own prayers, A prophet like Nathan, or by using the Urim and Thummin. Absalom used a man, Ahithophel, who do not show signs of seeking God before offering wisdom, although the Bible says both David and Absalom treated his advice like the Word of God.
For me, that provides some insight into that final verse.
What a contrast in these two stories. David suffering and struggling while Absalom gets his wish with no effort. It seems unfair. It seems wrong. But that's only if you forget or never knew that there is a God in heaven, on His throne, sovereign, and whose will will be done. It's a contrast well worth remembering.
So David made it just past the summit of the hill and Mephibosheth's servant met him with donkeys to ride, raisins for the men and wine for those who felt weak.
David asked the servant where Mephibosheth;s son was. (Saul's son, Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth's son) The servant said the son stayed in Jerusalem because he thought he was going to reclaim his father's kingdom. Ryrie interprets this differently. They consider the master's son to be Mephibosheth. And then a future chapter will prove this false.
So David gave all of Mephibosheth's inheritance to the servant (taking it away from the son, I presume.)
Then David arrives in Bahurin (East of Mt of Olives) and a relative of Saul's starts screaming and throwing rocks claiming all of this is payback for David's bloodshed against Saul. Joab's brother, Abishai, asks why this loser is aloud to do this and asks permission to cut off his head. David responfs that if the Lord told this man to curse, let him curse; but maybe God will choose to do good instead of the spoken curse.
This seem like a tremendous example of how to treat people who speak ill of you (and quite a contrast to how the young David responded when the man spoke ill of David and refused to feed the men during the feast. (Abigail's husband) David assumed this cursing was part of the discipline of the Lord and accepted the man's right to say it, especially if the Lord had told him to. But he had faith that maybe God wouldn't choose the curse but might do good to David.
David was walking with a very humbled spirit. They were weary when they arrived at there new stopping place.
Absalom (David's son) and Ahithopel (David's senior advisor and Bathsheba's grandpa) arrive in Jerusalem.
David's spy, Hushai, immediately makes contact with Absalom. Absalom immediately questions Hushai's loyal and Husgai gives him his spiel.
Absalom asks Ahithopel, "Give your advice.What shall we do?"
Maybe I'm reading too much into it; but it seems like Absalom should have had a plan in mind. Were they that surprised by David fleeing? Was Absalom that reliant on Ahithopel's advice? This seems significant.
Ahithopel's advice was for Absalom to rape all of David's concubine in public, so all would see. Anyone who slept with the King's concubine was claiming the throne and the right to do so. So Ahithopel was picking actions to strengthen the claim to the throne.
I wonder if Ahithopel's first piece of advice was raping the concubines because he was angry with David regarding Bathsheba. Sex act for sex act? Pretty gross anyway you try to explain it. Cultural or not- that's just gross and I believe any conscious would register that as wrong. Using rape of members of society with no agency as a means of planting your leadership flag is perverse and evil. I'm king because I can force helpless members of that group to have sex with me in public? Evil, wrong, and gross.
Ryrie points out that this act would also make the chasm between David and Absalom permanent. There's no coming back from that.
Verse 23 reads as if everyone, including David and Absalom, took Ahithopel's word as the Word of God. I can't totally tell if it's true or just how it was perceived. that may be cleared up later? If true, it makes the rape advice to be as if from God. It seems to be saying that's how the advice was perceived. Not how it really was. Again, needs a closer look before I come to any conclusions.
Wiersbe points out that, based on corresponding passages in the Psalms, David knew he was being chastened or disciplined by God and he would continue to seek God and be faithful, accepting God;s will and plan. Even when those around him couldn't see God's hand in his life, he would choose faith and submission.
Wiersbe frames the passage as the story of three kings:
Here's the answer to my query about Ahithophel. I had read it as Absalom luring Ahithophel away and sort of holding him hostage to deprive David of the advice. But I had forgotten that Ahithophel is the grandfather of Bathsheba. So David's adultery with her and murder of her husband, may have left Ahithophel with an ax to grind and Absalom gave him the reason and the method. Wiersbe theorizes that Ahithophel may have masterminded the whole thing, once he was on board--as he was known to be cunning and wise.
2. David who fled to the wilderness for a second time.
3. Jehovah
David wept on his way up the hill.
David finds out his closest confidant betrayed him
David's friend, Hushai showed up and gets sent back to "serve" Absalom for the ultimate purpose of serving David.
So when we left off in my first post on II Samuel 15, David was escaping from Absalom by fleeing the city with his entourage. They stopped at the "last house". It sounds like David was leading and then, at this point, David slowed or stopped and everyone passed by. Here are who is listed as passing by:
As David headed up the Mount of Olives. he was weeping, barefoot, and had his head covered. Soon the procession did the same.
Verse 30: I wonder if he took his sandals off for this as part of the grieving. Fleeing with shoes doesn't make sense. He had time, as he got a whole procession together. And it seems like you'd want shoes to run or fight for if Absalom came. Verse 32 notes this is where God is worshiped, so the barefoot (and the weeping and head cover) may all be signs of respect as he prepares to worship the Lord.
They are reporting that his advisor, Ahithophel was one of the conspirators, but I though earlier that he was mislead into traveling to Absalom in Hebron. I was under the impression he was more of a hostage to deprive David of a his right hand man? I guess we'll have to wait and see on this one.
Then his friend Hushai showed up and David sent him back to the city to feign loyalty to Absalom and gain information that he would pass to Zadok and the priests. So there was a bit of spark left in the old warrior. I hope that's not the only reason he sent the Ark back, though. That had the sound of genuine respect for the will of the Lord, not just more palace intrigue.