WTTB1K March 9th 2 Samuel 15:1 - 20:26 Options

[JayDawg]

Absalom's Treason

15 After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, "What city are you from?" And he would say, "Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel." 3 Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you." 4 Moreover Absalom would say, "Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice." 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 Now it came to pass after forty years that Absalom said to the king, "Please, let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the Lord. 8 For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord. "

9 And the king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron.

10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, Absalom reigns in Hebron! " 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything. 12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city-from Giloh-while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.


David Escapes from Jerusalem

13 Now a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom."

14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword."

15 And the king's servants said to the king, "We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands." 16 Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house. 17 And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts. 18 Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king.

19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place. 20 In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you."

21 But Ittai answered the king and said, "As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be."

22 So David said to Ittai, "Go, and cross over." Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over. 23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness.

24 There was Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city. 25 Then the king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. 26 But if He says thus: I have no delight in you, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him." 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me." 29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there.

30 So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up. 31 Then someone told David, saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." And David said, "O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!"

32 Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God-there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. 33 David said to him, "If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father's servant previously, so I will now also be your servant, then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me. 35 And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? Therefore it will be that whatever you hear from the king's house, you shall tell to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Indeed they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear."

37 So Hushai, David's friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.

[JayDawg]

15:1 chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him: This royal treatment was intended to attract attention to Absalom and to remind the people of his relationship to David as heir to the throne (1 Kin. 1:5). The runners would announce the coming of his chariot. Absalom would stand along the way leading to the royal palace, welcoming and showing interest in visitors who had come to Jerusalem to present their cases before the king. good and right: Absalom ingratiated himself to the people. Only those who really had a complaint would make the arduous trip to Jerusalem in the hope that they might find favor with the king. When they were told that they were right, but that the present administration would not help, their frustration was only increased. no deputy of the king to hear you: The implication of Absalom's remark was that David was too busy to hear the case, yet too jealous of his own authority to delegate someone to deal with the concern.

15:4 Administration of justice, the proper relationship between people in society according to God's standard of righteousness, was a major concern of Old Testament rulers and prophets (8:15; 1 Kin. 3:28; 10:9; Is. 1:17; Amos 5:24). Absalom was playing on the people's emotions when he presented himself as the answer to their need for justice, but had none to give them.

15:5, 6 When anyone approached Absalom with a show of reverence or respect, the prince would extend his hand, as one would with an equal. In ancient times, a kiss could serve as a greeting-a sign of friendship, affection, and loyalty (19:39). Absalom stole the hearts: Through personal charm and promises, Absalom managed to win the affection and loyalty of the Israelites.

15:7, 8 Absalom sought David's permission to move to Hebron, about 20 miles south of Jerusalem, where he would have more freedom to start a rebellion. Since Absalom was born in Hebron (3:2, 3), it would probably not seem unusual to David that he would want to fulfill his vow there. Geshur in Syria was the region northeast of the Sea of Galilee.

15:10 sent spies: Away from the attention of David and those loyal to him, Absalom began to enlist conspirators and sympathizers to join him in the forthcoming revolt. The slogan Absalom reigns in Hebron purposely alluded to David's kingship. David had been anointed king in Hebron (2:1; 5:1).

15:11 Absalom invited two hundred unsuspecting men to join him in Hebron for the supposed fulfillment of his vow (vv. 7, 8). No doubt he hoped they would give their support to him when they realized what was happening.

15:12 Ahithophel was from Giloh, a city in the mountains of Judah (Josh. 15:51).

15:13 The hearts of the men of Israel: By his deceptive practices, Absalom had gained the sympathy and support of the Israelites. One of the reasons he may have been able to do this was David's troubling rise to power. When David's power in Judah was confined to Hebron (ch. 2), he was resented by the supporters of Saul in the rest of the country. Old suspicions and resentments could be stroked again by a person who knew how to use people to his own advantage-a disreputable ability in which Absalom excelled.

15:14 Arise, and let us flee: David seems to have been taken completely by surprise. He was unprepared to thwart Absalom's rebellion. He fled from Jerusalem to avoid unnecessary risk of life and the tragedy of a military assault on the capital city.

15:15 The loyalty of David's servants must have been a real encouragement in a time of such disloyalty from David's own family.

15:17 After leaving Jerusalem, David and the royal family stopped at the east edge of town before crossing the Kidron (v. 23), to allow his royal bodyguard to pass in review before him (v. 18). The need to flee the palace was immediate. But before those with him dashed off in headlong flight, David gathered them together to take stock of matters and to plan their next move.

15:18 The Cherethites and Pelethites were elite units of David's army. These trusted troops of David were not Israelites, but mercenaries from a variety of nations, possibly Crete and Philistia. They had been with David for years, owed him their loyalty, and would defend him and his family to the death. Gittites were either Philistine mercenary soldiers whom David had recruited during his stay in Gath (see 1 Sam. 21:10) or David's original followers from Gath (1 Sam. 23:13).

15:19 remain with the king: David gave his foreign mercenaries the chance to leave him. As foreigners, they were not obligated to fight in the coming civil war.

15:20 you came only yesterday: This is an obvious exaggeration, but reflects the fact that Ittai's association with David had been brief. He did not have the long-term relationship with David that the troops mentioned in v. 18 had. Mercy and truth be with you: David used the covenantal language of the biblical faith in his blessing on Ittai.

15:21 As the Lord lives: With these words, the foreign military officer declared his abiding faith in and commitment to the God of Israel. These are words of the strongest oath, and they distinguish the true believer in various periods of Israel's history (see 1 Kin. 17:1, 12; 18:10). whether in death or life: Ittai's words are similar to those of another foreigner who came to faith in God-Ruth of Moab (Ruth 1:16, 17). Ittai's later appointment as commander of a third of the army (18:2) was David's way of showing his gratitude for such loyalty.

15:23 The Brook Kidron is a small stream that flows through the valley separating Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives during the rainy season (October through March). The way of the wilderness refers to the road leading through the wilderness of Judah to Jericho and down to the fords of the Jordan River.

15:24 Zadok and Abiathar were the main priests functioning during David's reign. They were loyal to David. They wanted to bring the ark, which David had brought to Jerusalem with a great celebration (ch. 6), back into the city. It was David who was going into exile, not the Lord; the symbol of God's presence with His people would remain in the place of worship for the entire community. He will bring me back: David committed the entire situation to the sovereign care and will of God. Contrast David's submission to the Lord's will to Absalom's deceitful words (v. 8). His dwelling place refers to the tabernacle that had been set up for the ark (7:6).




Word Focus

ark

(Heb. 2aron) (6:2; 15:24; Ex. 25:10; 1 Sam. 4:3) Strong's 727: This Hebrew word can be translated "chest" (2 Kin. 12:9) or "sarcophagus" (Gen. 50:26), but usually appears in the phrase 2aron haberit, which means "ark of the covenant." The ark was a wooden chest overlaid with gold (Ex. 25:10), housing the Ten Commandments (Ex. 40:20), Aaron's staff, and a pot of manna (Heb. 9:4). It sat in the Most Holy Place as a reminder of Israel's covenant with God and His presence among them. When the Israelites became careless with the ark (1 Sam. 4:1), God allowed it to be captured in order to demonstrate that His covenant relationship with them transcended symbols and superstitions. What He required was continual obedience to His covenant and a contrite heart surrendered to Him (Ps. 51:17; Is. 57:15).




15:27 Are you not a seer: A prophet could come from any tribe, even from among the sons of Aaron. Thus, a priest could also be a prophet of the Lord (see Zech. 1:1). David wanted the priests to remain in Jerusalem to minister in the tabernacle and intercede before God for him. Perhaps God would grant them a message that they could relay to him.

15:28 The plains of the wilderness refers to the Jordan valley near Jericho. until word comes from you to inform me: As vv. 35, 36 further explain, Zadok and Abiathar were to remain in Jerusalem to gather information for David. They could return a message from the Lord as well as news from the enemy camp.

15:30 head covered barefoot: These were outward signs of mourning (see Jer. 14:3; Ezek. 24:17). The Mount of Olives was located east of Jerusalem.

15:31 Ahithophel was Bathsheba's grandfather (11:3). A wise counselor (16:23), he had been in David's service (v. 12) but had switched his allegiance to Absalom. David's prayer was for his enemy to be confused. The name Ahithophel may mean "Brother of Folly." If so, it may have been a name given to him later on account of his defection from David.

15:32 where he worshiped God: Prior to the building of the Jerusalem temple, there was apparently a place of worship located on the Mount of Olives. Hushai proved to be a loyal friend of David (15:37; 16:16). Archite was the name of a family living on the southern boundary of Ephraim, between Bethel and Ataroth (see Josh. 16:2). Hushai's torn robe and the dust on his head were signs of grief (1:11; 13:19). Rather than joining David's followers, Hushai was directed to return to Jerusalem to thwart the counsel that Ahithophel would be giving to Absalom.

15:35, 36 Hushai was given a key role in relaying information about the enemy to David through Zadok and Abiathar and their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan.

15:37 The word friend can mean a counselor or an advisor (see 1 Kin. 4:5).

[JayDawg]

Mephibosheth's Servant

16 When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, "What do you mean to do with these?"

So Ziba said, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink."

3 Then the king said, "And where is your master's son?"

And Ziba said to the king, "Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me. "

4 So the king said to Ziba, "Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours."

And Ziba said, "I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!"


Shimei Curses David

5 Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came. 6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: "Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! 8 The Lord has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!"

9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!"

10 But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, Curse David. Who then shall say, Why have you done so? "

11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, "See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him. 12 It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day." 13 And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust. 14 Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.


The Advice of Ahithophel

15 Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him. 16 And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"

17 So Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"

18 And Hushai said to Absalom, "No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19 "Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence."

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give advice as to what we should do."

21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong." 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

23 Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

[JayDawg]

16:1 Ziba, a long-time servant of both Saul and Mephibosheth, assisted David and his party with provisions for their initial flight. Summer fruits probably refers to fresh figs (see Mic. 7:1) or fig cakes (see 1 Sam. 25:18). skin of wine: In ancient times, wine was carried in animal-skin containers. The skin expanded with the liquid when it fermented (see Matt. 9:17).

16:2 The donkeys are for the king's household: Since a couple of donkeys (v. 1) would not provide sufficient transportation for the royal family, they might have been intended for David's wives to ride in turn.

16:3 Your master's son is a reference to Mephibosheth. Ziba had been in the service of Jonathan, father of Mephibosheth (9:2, 9). Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me: According to Ziba, Mephibosheth was staying in Jerusalem in hopes that Absalom's rebellion would result in his elevation to the throne. Even though David had shown special concern for Mephibosheth (ch. 9), the latter may have had some thoughts that this might be the time to advance the cause of the dynasty of Saul.

16:5 Bahurim was near Jerusalem, east of the Mount of Olives (3:16). Shimei the son of Gera was a distant relative of Saul (see 19:16; 1 Kin. 2:8, 9, 36). cursing continuously These were not simple insults or merely the words of someone with a foul mouth. Shimei was asking God to destroy David (see Num. 22:6).

16:6 threw stones: Throwing stones is a gesture of contempt, as if the fleeing king were merely a stray dog. Stones can also be dangerous weapons, as is shown by the fact that stoning was a normal means of capital punishment among the Hebrews (see also 1 Kin. 21:13). All the mighty men refers to David's royal troops and bodyguards (17:8).

16:7, 8 Come out might be rephrased, "Go out" (into banishment and exile) or "Begone!" You bloodthirsty man: David was a man of war, and he was guilty of killing Uriah (11:14). But Shimei blamed the demise of Saul's family on David (v. 5)-an unjust charge (ch. 1). You rogue, literally "man of Belial," is an expletive against David that means worthless or useless. The blood of the house of Saul may refer to the murders of Ishbosheth and Abner, although David was completely innocent of their deaths (3:22).

16:9 Abishai was a nephew of David, the son of David's sister Zeruiah (1 Chr. 2:16). He was consistently devoted to David (19:21, 22; 1 Sam. 26:8). In the ancient Middle East, a dead dog was something utterly contemptible (3:8).



Davids Triumphs and Troubles



Davids Triumphs


Davids Wise Actions

Davids Victories


David prayed for guidance (2:1).

David punished the assassins of his enemy Ishbosheth (4:12).

David prayed for Gods deliverance (5:19).

David brought the ark to Jerusalem (6:12).

David offered sacrifices to God and blessed the people (6:18).

David praised God for His goodness (7:18; 22:1).

David confessed his sins (12:13; 24:10).

The Judeans anointed David king (2:4).

The Israelites anointed David king (5:3).

David conquered Jerusalem (5:6, 7).

God promised David an eternal dynasty (7:16).

Davids army defeated the Philistines (8:1).

Davids army defeated the Moabites (8:2).

Davids army defeated the Syrians (8:6).

Davids army defeated the Ammonites (11:1).

Davids Troubles


Davids Unwise Actions


Davids Reverses

David seduced Bathsheba (11:4).

David ordered the murder of Uriah (11:15, 17).

David failed to forgive Absalom or instruct him (13:39; 14:24).

David ordered that a census be taken of the Israelites (24:2).

Bathsheba became pregnant (11:5).

David and Bathshebas child died (12:18).

Amnon seduced Tamar (13:14).

Absalom murdered Amnon (13:29).

Absalom usurped the throne (16:15).

A plague ravaged the Israelites (24:15).



16:10 What have I to do with you: This idiom means that David did not share the feelings and views of Abishai. sons of Zeruiah: Apparently David considered that Joab, also a son of Zeruiah (1 Chr. 2:16), would share Abishai's willingness to kill Shimei. the Lord has said to him, Curse David': David might have remembered God's promise "to raise up adversity" for his sin with Bathsheba (12:11) and took Shimei's cursing as part of this discipline.

16:11 David argued that if his own son showed him no loyalty, there was no reason to expect respect from the Benjamite, that is, a person from the tribe of Saul.

16:12 the Lord will repay me with good: David hoped that the Lord would look upon his repentant heart and render a blessing to compensate for Shimei's curse.

16:15 Ahithophel, David's former counselor (15:12), had switched his allegiance to Absalom (15:31). In this context, the men of Israel refers to Absalom's followers.

16:16 Long live the king: Hushai deceptively professed loyalty to Absalom. In fact, these words could easily have applied to David for he was still the divinely sanctioned king. By using his words carefully, Hushai was able to lead his hearers to think he was praising Absalom, when in fact he was shouting for David. your friend: Absalom apparently was referring to Hushai's title, "David's friend" (15:37). whom the Lord: With these well-planned words, Hushai professed allegiance to whomever the Lord would choose as king. his I will be: Hushai's real allegiance was with David, who he knew was God's chosen one.

16:19 in the presence of his son: Hushai wished to imply that his allegiance to Absalom was the natural outgrowth of his loyalty to David. It was appropriate for a son to succeed his father, and for supporters of the dynasty to give their allegiance to the new king.

16:22 Concubines were unofficial wives. In ancient times, taking over a king's harem was a recognized means of claiming the throne. When Ahithophel advised Absalom to have sexual relations with David's concubines, he knew that this would finalize the breach between Absalom and David. It was an irrevocable action. Up to this point, Absalom would have been able to back away from all that he had done and still be reconciled to his father. But once he violated the harem of David, he was set on a course of sure and final alienation from his father. The tent that Absalom pitched in the sight of all Israel was probably a bridal tent. Absalom made the people of Israel fully aware that he was engaging in sexual relations with his father's concubines. Putting the tent on the roof of the palace was an insolent act that was guaranteed to stir the populace one way or another.

16:23 at the oracle of God: Ahithophel had acquired such a reputation that his counsel was taken to be equivalent to a word from the Lord. He was not a prophet, but his words were received as if they were prophetic.

[JayDawg]

17 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 2 I will come upon him while he is weary and weak, and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee, and I will strike only the king. 3 Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace." 4 And the saying pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel.


The Advice of Hushai

5 Then Absalom said, "Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he says too." 6 And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, "Ahithophel has spoken in this manner. Shall we do as he says? If not, speak up."

7 So Hushai said to Absalom: "The advice that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time. 8 For," said Hushai, "you know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are enraged in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field; and your father is a man of war, and will not camp with the people. 9 Surely by now he is hidden in some pit, or in some other place. And it will be, when some of them are overthrown at the first, that whoever hears it will say, There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom. 10 And even he who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt completely. For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men. 11 Therefore I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person. 12 So we will come upon him in some place where he may be found, and we will fall on him as the dew falls on the ground. And of him and all the men who are with him there shall not be left so much as one. 13 Moreover, if he has withdrawn into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city; and we will pull it into the river, until there is not one small stone found there."

14 So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel." For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom.


Hushai Warns David to Escape

15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, "Thus and so Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so I have advised. 16 Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, Do not spend this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up. " 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed at En Rogel, for they dared not be seen coming into the city; so a female servant would come and tell them, and they would go and tell King David. 18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom. But both of them went away quickly and came to a man's house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down into it. 19 Then the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground grain on it; and the thing was not known. 20 And when Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?"

So the woman said to them, "They have gone over the water brook."

And when they had searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. 21 Now it came to pass, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well and went and told King David, and said to David, "Arise and cross over the water quickly. For thus has Ahithophel advised against you." 22 So David and all the people who were with him arose and crossed over the Jordan. By morning light not one of them was left who had not gone over the Jordan.

23 Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father's tomb.

24 Then David went to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. This Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra, an Israelite, who had gone in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. 26 So Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.

27 Now it happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the people of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, 29 honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, "The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness."

[JayDawg]

17:1, 2 Ahithophel realized that the fleeing king was in a vulnerable situation. He counseled Absalom to pursue and kill David and his followers in order to eliminate any chance that David would regain the throne. The twelve thousand men that he asked for would likely have had an easy time defeating the weary troops of David. I will strike only the king: Despite his celebrated wisdom, Ahithophel underestimated the loyalty of David's crack troops. Ahithophel might have been able to defeat David in a surprise raid, but David's loyal warriors would not have scattered.

17:3 I will bring back all the people: Ahithophel tried to persuade Absalom that if he killed only David, the people would align themselves with Absalom, and peace would be restored in the land.

17:5 Although Absalom was pleased with Ahithophel's counsel (v. 4), he did not accept it immediately. He summoned Hushai (16:16) to get a second opinion on the matter.

17:7 Hushai, David's confidant, set about to frustrate Ahithophel's wise counsel. He realized that the plan proposed by Ahithophel would prove fatal for David. The words at this time leave room for an appreciation of Ahithophel's past counsel and might have been intended to deter suspicion over his critical evaluation.




Word Focus

advice

(Heb. 4esah) (17:7; Job 38:2; Ps. 1:1; Prov. 8:14) Strong's 6098: This Hebrew term has two primary meanings: "counsel" and "plan." Both senses are used of God (Jer. 32:19; Is. 5:19) and man (2 Kin. 18:20; Prov. 20:5). While the counsel of the Lord stands forever, He brings the counsel of the nations to nothing (Ps. 33:10, 11; Prov. 21:30). One of the psalmists prayed to be guided by God's counsel, a prayer not made by the rebellious people of Isaiah's day (Ps. 73:24; Is. 30:1). The Hebrew kings typically sought counsel from advisors who were old, experienced, and wise; however, Rehoboam tragically sought out the counsel of his peers (1 Kin. 12:8, 13; Ezek. 7:26). Solomon describes those who heed counsel as being wise (Prov. 12:15; 19:20), and the psalmists proclaimed their reliance on God's counsel (Ps. 16:7; 73:24).




17:8 Mighty men are heroic fighting men. like a bear robbed of her cubs: Hushai used a strong simile to depict the ferocity of David and his men. There is no more dangerous foe in the woods than a mother bear who believes her cubs to be in danger. will not camp with the people: Hushai suggested that David, as an experienced warrior, would not camp with the civilian refugees. He would know that doing so would leave him vulnerable to attack and capture.

17:9 hidden in some pit: The countryside of Judah was riddled with caves, ravines, and hiding places. a slaughter: Hushai suggested that David could not be taken without some loss of life, and this would give rise to the rumor that Absalom was suffering a severe defeat.

17:10 Valiant means well-trained and able to fight. will melt completely: Hushai suggested that even the bravest of Absalom's soldiers would yield to panic when facing David and his veterans.

17:11, 12 all Israel: Hushai advised that Absalom was going to need a larger army than he presently had, and that Absalom himself should lead the force into battle. Dan to Beersheba means the whole country, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, a distance of about 150 miles. like the sand: Hushai used this figure of speech to describe the army that would be needed to destroy David's forces. Hushai knew it would take time to gather so many men, and that time was what David needed the most. in some place: The implication of this remark is that Absalom did not know where David was hiding.

17:13 The river means any river, not necessarily the Jordan.

17:15 Zadok and Abiathar the priests had stayed in Jerusalem at David's request (15:24). David had arranged for them to gather information about Absalom's activities and forward it to him through their sons (15:35, 36).

17:16 The plains of the wilderness means the Jordan valley in the vicinity of Jericho (15:28). Hushai told David to cross the Jordan since he could not be sure that Absalom would act on his counsel.

17:17, 18 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were the sons of Abiathar and Zadok. En Rogel was a spring or well south of Jerusalem at the junction of the Hinnom and Kidron valleys (Josh. 15:7; 18:16). a female servant: The young men would arouse suspicion by coming into the city, so a woman servant served as an intermediary. a lad saw them: The efforts of Jonathan and Ahimaaz to avoid detection were unsuccessful. Bahurim was on the east side of the Mount of Olives (16:5). The word translated well may also refer to a pit or cistern. Apparently, there was no water in it at this time.

17:22 Although the Jordan was not a large river, crossing it could be dangerous, even at the fords. David was safer once he got his family and followers across that barrier. There is a certain sadness in what David had to do. While the tribal allotments of ancient Israel included land on both sides of the Jordan, there was always an emotional understanding that the "real" land of Israel was west of the Jordan. David was truly in exile. Later, his enemies would charge him with having "fled from the land" (19:9).

17:23 Ahithophel committed suicide when he learned that his advice was not being followed. He apparently realized that Absalom's cause was doomed, and that when David returned he would be put to death as a disloyal subject.

17:24 Mahanaim was formerly Ishbosheth's capital (2:8). It was east of the Jordan and north of the Jabbok.

17:25 Absalom put his army under the command of Amasa, since Joab had remained loyal to David. who had gone in to Abigail: This is not the usual phrase for marriage, perhaps indicating that Abigail did not leave her father's authority completely.

17:26 Gilead refers to the mountainous region east of the Jordan and between the Yarmuk valley to the north and the Jabbok valley to the south. Gilead was famous in biblical times for its forests (Jer. 22:6), pasture lands (Num. 32:1), and the medicinal balms made from its plants (Jer. 8:22; 46:11).

17:27 When David arrived in the fortified city of Mahanaim, he found a gracious reception. Shobi was a vassal king under David who ruled Rabbah, the capital of Ammon. Lo Debar was about ten miles south of the Sea of Galilee, east of the Jordan river in the Jordan valley (9:4). Barzillai was an old man of great wealth (19:31; 1 Kin. 2:7).

17:29 The rulers showed compassion to David and his weary followers. Jesus taught that kindness done to others in need would not be forgotten (Matt. 25:34).

[JayDawg]

Absalom's Defeat and Death

18 And David numbered the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. 2 Then David sent out one third of the people under the hand of Joab, one third under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one third under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, "I also will surely go out with you myself."

3 But the people answered, "You shall not go out! For if we flee away, they will not care about us; nor if half of us die, will they care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us now. For you are now more help to us in the city."

4 Then the king said to them, "Whatever seems best to you I will do." So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands. 5 Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom." And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains orders concerning Absalom.

6 So the people went out into the field of battle against Israel. And the battle was in the woods of Ephraim. 7 The people of Israel were overthrown there before the servants of David, and a great slaughter of twenty thousand took place there that day. 8 For the battle there was scattered over the face of the whole countryside, and the woods devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

9 Then Absalom met the servants of David. Absalom rode on a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great terebinth tree, and his head caught in the terebinth; so he was left hanging between heaven and earth. And the mule which was under him went on. 10 Now a certain man saw it and told Joab, and said, "I just saw Absalom hanging in a terebinth tree!"

11 So Joab said to the man who told him, "You just saw him! And why did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have given you ten shekels of silver and a belt."

12 But the man said to Joab, "Though I were to receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king's son. For in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom! 13 Otherwise I would have dealt falsely against my own life. For there is nothing hidden from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me."

14 Then Joab said, "I cannot linger with you." And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom's heart, while he was still alive in the midst of the terebinth tree. 15 And ten young men who bore Joab's armor surrounded Absalom, and struck and killed him.

16 So Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel. For Joab held back the people. 17 And they took Absalom and cast him into a large pit in the woods, and laid a very large heap of stones over him. Then all Israel fled, everyone to his tent.

18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up a pillar for himself, which is in the King's Valley. For he said, "I have no son to keep my name in remembrance." He called the pillar after his own name. And to this day it is called Absalom's Monument.


David Hears of Absalom's Death

19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, "Let me run now and take the news to the king, how the Lord has avenged him of his enemies."

20 And Joab said to him, "You shall not take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day. But today you shall take no news, because the king's son is dead." 21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." So the Cushite bowed himself to Joab and ran.

22 And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, "But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite."

So Joab said, "Why will you run, my son, since you have no news ready?"

23 "But whatever happens," he said, "let me run."

So he said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.

24 Now David was sitting between the two gates. And the watchman went up to the roof over the gate, to the wall, lifted his eyes and looked, and there was a man, running alone. 25 Then the watchman cried out and told the king. And the king said, "If he is alone, there is news in his mouth." And he came rapidly and drew near.

26 Then the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, "There is another man, running alone!"

And the king said, "He also brings news."

27 So the watchman said, "I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok."

And the king said, "He is a good man, and comes with good news."

28 So Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, "All is well!" Then he bowed down with his face to the earth before the king, and said, "Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king!"

29 The king said, "Is the young man Absalom safe?"

Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent the king's servant and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was about."

30 And the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So he turned aside and stood still.

31 Just then the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, "There is good news, my lord the king! For the Lord has avenged you this day of all those who rose against you."

32 And the king said to the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?"

So the Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!"


David's Mourning for Absalom

33 Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: "O my son Absalom-my son, my son Absalom-if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!"

[JayDawg]

18:1 To prepare for battle, David counted and reviewed his fighting forces. captains of thousands: Although only a small contingent of troops left Jerusalem with David, other loyal followers soon rallied to his cause.

18:2 David divided his men into three companies-a frequent military tactic in ancient times (see Judg. 7:16; 1 Sam. 11:11). Abishai, the oldest son of David's sister Zeruiah (1 Chr. 2:16), was noted for his brave but impetuous spirit (3:30; 16:9; 1 Sam. 26:6). Joab, the younger brother of Abishai, had become commander of David's army as a result of his heroic leadership in the capture of Jerusalem (1 Chr. 11:4). Little is known of Ittai except that he was strongly committed to serving David and the Lord (15:19).

18:3 you shall not go out: Although David wanted to accompany his men into battle (v. 2), he was persuaded not to go, both for his own protection and for the safety of Mahanaim (17:27).

18:6 the woods of Ephraim: The battle took place in a dense forest north of the Jabbok river, east of the Jordan.

18:7, 8 Absalom's newly organized army, the people of Israel, were no match for the experienced soldiers of David. the woods devoured: Because of the rugged nature of the terrain and dense growth in the forest, more deaths resulted from the pursuit than from actual combat.

18:9 The terebinth, sometimes translated oak or elm, was a strong tree, native to the land of Israel. It grows to a height of around 35 feet.

18:11 ten shekels: The shekel was the basic unit of weight, equal to 11.3 grams or about a half ounce. The belt was part of a soldier's equipment (1 Sam. 18:4; 1 Kin. 2:5).

18:12 against the king's son: The soldier had not forgotten David's command not to harm Absalom (v. 5). Since the spears did not kill Absalom immediately (v. 15), the word translated heart may refer to Absalom's trunk.

18:16 Joab blew the trumpet to signal the army to stop its pursuit. The death of Absalom meant the end of the rebellion. The trumpet was a ram's horn or shofar (2:28; 6:15).

18:17 Rather than returning Absalom's body to Jerusalem for honorable burial, Joab had it buried in a large pit in the forest. The heap of stones that covered the grave may have been symbolic of a stoning, the legal penalty due a rebel son (Deut. 21:20, 21).

18:18 The King's Valley was near Jerusalem (Gen. 14:17). to this day: The great monument that Absalom had erected for himself was still in existence when the narrator wrote this section of Second Samuel.

18:19 Ahimaaz with Jonathan had carried the message from Zadok and Abiathar, urging David to flee across the Jordan (17:20, 21). The word avenged is used here in the sense of "delivered."

18:21 Cushite means someone of the land from Cush, the remote region of what is today southern Egypt and Sudan. let me also run: Ahimaaz could not be restrained from also running to David with the good news of victory. The plain was the floor of the Jordan valley. Ahimaaz took a longer route, but avoided the hilly terrain on the road taken by the Cushite.

18:24 two gates: The city of Mahanaim evidently had a double gate. Between the outer and inner gates there were probably stone benches. The roof over the gate refers to the gatehouse or fortress located on the wall over the city gate. The watchman at the gate was responsible to warn the city of an approaching army and to announce the arrival of important visitors. Lifted his eyes is a common Hebrew idiom that means "looked" (Gen. 22:4).

18:25, 26 If he is alone: The fact that only one runner was approaching led David to assume that the news was good. Perhaps he assumed that a group of men running toward the gate would have indicated a rout. Yet the approach of another man complicated the picture.

18:28 All is well: The messenger's greeting was shalom, the word usually translated peace. your God: Ahimaaz recognized God's strong association with David.

18:29 Is the young man Absalom safe: David expressed his first concern, his interest in the welfare of his son. Ahimaaz did not give a straight answer to David, though he knew that Absalom was dead (v. 20).

18:31, 32 the Lord has avenged: Like Ahimaaz (v. 28), the Cushite gave God credit for delivering David. Furthermore he gave an honest answer to David's question about Absalom, although his words were carefully worded so as to soften the blow.

18:33 Was deeply moved can mean "quaked" or "quivered." David was overcome with sorrow. O Absalom my son, my son: The repetition of these words expresses clearly David's anguish.

[JayDawg]

19 And Joab was told, "Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom." 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, "The king is grieved for his son." 3 And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. 4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried out with a loud voice, "O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!"

5 Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, "Today you have disgraced all your servants who today have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines, 6 in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well. 7 Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now." 8 Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told all the people, saying, "There is the king, sitting in the gate." So all the people came before the king.

For everyone of Israel had fled to his tent.


David Returns to Jerusalem

9 Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "The king saved us from the hand of our enemies, he delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom. 10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?"

11 So King David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, "Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the words of all Israel have come to the king, to his very house? 12 You are my brethren, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you 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 the army before me continually in place of Joab. " 14 So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, just as the heart of one man, so that they sent this word to the king: "Return, you and all your servants!"

15 Then the king returned and came to the Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to escort the king across the Jordan. 16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, who was from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over the Jordan before the king. 18 Then a ferryboat went across to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good.


David's Mercy to Shimei

Now Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king when he had crossed the Jordan. 19 Then he said to the king, "Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what wrong your servant did on the day that my lord the king left Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart. 20 For I, your servant, know that I have sinned. Therefore here I am, the first to come today of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king."

21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, "Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord's anointed?"

22 And David said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?" 23 Therefore the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king swore to him.


David and Mephibosheth Meet

24 Now Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. And he had not cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he returned in peace. 25 So it was, when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?"

26 And he answered, "My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go to the king, because your servant is lame. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes. 28 For all my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king. Yet you set your servant among those who eat at your own table. Therefore what right have I still to cry out anymore to the king?"

29 So the king said to him, "Why do you speak anymore of your matters? I have said, You and Ziba divide the land. "

30 Then Mephibosheth said to the king, "Rather, let him take it all, inasmuch as my lord the king has come back in peace to his own house."


David's Kindness to Barzillai

31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and went across the Jordan with the king, to escort him across the Jordan. 32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. And he had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man. 33 And the king said to Barzillai, "Come across with me, and I will provide for you while you are with me in Jerusalem."

34 But Barzillai said to the king, "How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am today eighty years old. Can I discern between the good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any longer the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a further burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will go a little way across the Jordan with the king. And why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you."

38 And the king answered, "Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you. Now whatever you request of me, I will do for you." 39 Then all the people went over the Jordan. And when the king had crossed over, the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own place.


The Quarrel About the King

40 Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. And all the people of Judah escorted the king, and also half the people of Israel. 41 Just then all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, "Why have our brethren, the men of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king, his household, and all David's men with him across the Jordan?"

42 So all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "Because the king is a close relative of ours. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we ever eaten at the king's expense? Or has he given us any gift?"

43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, "We have ten shares in the king; therefore we also have more right to David than you. Why then do you despise us-were we not the first to advise bringing back our king?"

Yet the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

[JayDawg]

19:2, 3 the victory that day was turned into mourning: David's unrestrained expression of grief over the death of his son turned the well-deserved victory celebration into a day of mourning, not so much for Absalom himself, but for the grief brought upon David by his death (18:33). the people stole back into the city: What a description for the return of victorious warriors! Like cowards who had fled from battle, David's soldiers crept back into the city of Mahanaim (17:27), hoping to escape notice.

19:4 David covered his face as an expression of mourning (15:30). my son: His words, which were so touching when first announced (18:33), take on a grating sound when repeated many times.

19:5, 6 you have disgraced all your servants: Joab argued that by honoring his rebel son and neglecting his loyal soldiers, David had shamed and embarrassed those who had served him well. The words your enemies is literally "those who hate you." The words your friends is literally "those who love you." Princes refers to the captains of the army.

19:7 Speak comfort may be rephrased "speak to the heart." David would have to speak words of encouragement if he expected his troops to continue their support of his kingship.

19:8 The gate was the primary meeting place in ancient cities. So all the people came before the king: Although not directly stated, the context implies that David followed Joab's counsel by expressing appreciation to his loyal troops and faithful followers. For everyone of Israel had fled to his tent: This parenthetical note indicates that the rebellion ended and Absalom's followers returned home.

19:9, 10 The movement to restore David to power was not unanimous. Some Israelites thought that because he had fled from the land, David lost his right to rule. There may also have been some fear that David would avenge himself on those who had supported Absalom.

19:11 Zadok and Abiathar were priests who had remained in Jerusalem at David's request during the rebellion (15:24). The elders of Judah were reluctant to call David back to Jerusalem, perhaps because of their part in Absalom's insurrection (15:10, 11). David asked his friends, the priests, to begin the movement to invite David back to his throne. Apparently, he did not want to come into Jerusalem without public support for his rule.

19:12 My brethren refers to the elders of Judah (v. 11). David knew that he needed the support of his own tribe and its leaders to resume his leadership over the nation. Without their full support there was no hope for the renewal of his kingship.

19:13 Amasa, David's nephew, had commanded the army of Absalom (17:25). David offered him Joab's position as commander-in-chief of David's army. This offer was intended to secure the allegiance of Amasa and the rebel army, as well as to discipline Joab for killing Absalom against his orders (18:14, 15).

19:14 David's acts of diplomacy were effective; he was invited to return as king. The fact that David was the anointed of the Lord meant that God would ensure that David would be restored. But David could not simply wait in exile in a foreign land. He had to act on the belief that God would continue to work His will.

19:15 Gilgal, the first place the Israelites camped after they crossed the Jordan (Josh. 4:19, 20), was about a mile from Jericho.

19:16 Shimei, who had cursed David when he was forced to leave Jerusalem, no doubt feared that David would punish him for this outrageous behavior (16:5). He hurried to meet the king so he could make amends.

19:17 a thousand men of Benjamin: This large contingent was a very good sign to David that his old hostilities with the family of Saul were over at last. they went over the Jordan: Ziba and his sons forded the Jordan to assist David and his family in crossing.

19:19 what wrong your servant did: Shimei's confession showed genuine repentance and godly sorrow. He added no excuse, self-justification, or explanation (compare Saul's behavior in 1 Sam. 13:11, 12; 15:20, 21).

19:20 The designation house of Joseph was sometimes applied to the northern tribes (Ps. 78:67; Ezek. 37:16) since Ephraim, the tribe of Joseph's son (see Gen. 48:5, 13), was the largest and most powerful tribe in the north.

19:21 Abishai once again (16:9, 10) called for the death of Shimei for cursing God's anointed (23:1). What have I to do with you: David often had to quell the fiery spirit of his nephew (16:10). David had spared Shimei's life once before because of the timing of his attack on him; here he spared his life again because of the timing of Shimei's repentance. You shall not die: The amnesty granted Shimei was apparently conditioned on his continued loyalty. When David was near death, he ordered that Shimei be put to death by Solomon (1 Kin. 2:8, 9, 36). David could not put Shimei to death himself because of his oath; however, his son could do it if there were just cause.

19:24 Mephibosheth was actually the son of Jonathan and the grandson of Saul (4:4; 9:1). Ziba claimed that Mephibosheth, in the turmoil of Absalom's revolt, sought to advance the cause of the house of Saul (16:1). cared for his feet: The personal neglect of Mephibosheth must have been striking. He intended his personal appearance to be a sign of mourning David's absence.

19:26 Mephibosheth claimed that Ziba had taken advantage of him, since he was not able to saddle or mount his donkey without help. he has slandered your servant: At this point, David faced a dilemma. Who was telling the truth-Mephibosheth or Ziba? Why do you speak anymore: David found the whole issue too complex to sort out. divide the land: In this way, both Ziba and Mephibosheth would be provided for in a generous manner (see 16:14). let him take it all: Mephibosheth's final words indicated his submission to David's decision.

19:32 very aged: The eighty-year-old Barzillai had proven himself to be an extraordinary help to David during David's exile. This was an opportunity for David to repay his kindness. very rich: Barzillai did not need money; David's offer of a royal pension was based on his loyal friendship.

19:35, 36 Can I discern between the good and bad: There was no effective contrast between the opportunity David offered and Barzillai's present living situation at Mahanaim. What real difference would the change make in his life, since he was too old to enjoy the pleasures of the court? In going a little way across the Jordan with David, Barzillai fulfilled his duty as a gracious host.

19:37, 38 Chimham was later identified by the historian Josephus as Barzillai's son (see 1 Kin. 2:7). I will do for him: Because of his love for Barzillai, David promised to give a royal patronage to Chimham. This was similar to the provision David had made for Mephibosheth because of his love for Jonathan (ch. 9).

19:40 The term all is figurative. It means that as a whole Judah supported David. Half means that the people of Israel were less enthusiastic.

19:41, 42 stolen you away: The people of Israel were annoyed by the fact that David's supporters in Judah had the greater part in bringing the king back from exile in the Transjordan. The men of Judah pointed out that even though they had a tribal relationship with David, they had never taken advantage of their privileged position.

19:43 The people of Israel were claiming a greater share in David's kingship since Israel's northern territory was formed by ten tribes. fiercer: This bitterness between the tribes of Israel and the tribe of Judah would lead finally to the division of the nation at the time of the death of Solomon, David's son (1 Kin. 12). In the present situation, it threatened to erupt into civil war-which would take place under the leadership of Sheba (ch. 20).

[JayDawg]

The Rebellion of Sheba

20 And there happened to be there a rebel, whose name was Sheba the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. And he blew a trumpet, and said:

"We have no share in David,

Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse;

Every man to his tents, O Israel!"

2 So every man of Israel deserted David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah, from the Jordan as far as Jerusalem, remained loyal to their king.

3 Now David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten women, his concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in seclusion and supported them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.

4 And the king said to Amasa, "Assemble the men of Judah for me within three days, and be present here yourself." 5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah. But he delayed longer than the set time which David had appointed him. 6 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 find for himself fortified cities, and escape us." 7 So Joab's men, with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, went out after him. And they went out of Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. Now Joab was dressed in battle armor; on it was a belt with a sword fastened in its sheath at his hips; and as he was going forward, it fell out. 9 Then Joab said to Amasa, "Are you in health, my brother?" And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not notice the sword that was in Joab's hand. And he struck him with it in the stomach, and his entrails poured out on the ground; and he did not strike him again. Thus he died.

Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. 11 Meanwhile one of Joab's men stood near Amasa, and said, "Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David-follow Joab!" 12 But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he moved Amasa from the highway to the field and threw a garment over him, when he saw that everyone who came upon him halted. 13 When he was removed from the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth Maachah and all the Berites. So they were gathered together and also went after Sheba. 15 Then they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maachah; and they cast up a siege mound against the city, and it stood by the rampart. And all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it down.

16 Then a wise woman cried out from the city, "Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, Come nearby, that I may speak with you. " 17 When he had come near to her, the woman said, "Are you Joab?"

He answered, "I am."

Then she said to him, "Hear the words of your maidservant."

And he answered, "I am listening."

18 So she spoke, saying, "They used to talk in former times, saying, They shall surely seek guidance at Abel, and so they would end disputes. 19 I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?"

20 And Joab answered and said, "Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not so. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has raised his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city."

So the woman said to Joab, "Watch, his head will be thrown to you over the wall." 22 Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, every man to his tent. So Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.


David's Government Officers

23 And Joab was over all the army of Israel; Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; 24 Adoram was in charge of revenue; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 25 Sheva was scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were the priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite was a chief minister under David.

[JayDawg]

20:1 Sheba was from Benjamin, the same tribe as Saul. The term rebel, which also means "worthless person," suggests that Sheba was a scoundrel. trumpet: As was usual for military signals (2:28; 15:10; 18:16; 20:22), Sheba sounded a shofar or ram's horn. We have no share in David: These three lines of poetry form a campaign slogan or song of rebellion. Every man to his tents may be paraphrased, "Let's go back home, and from there we can resist the king."

20:2 every man of Israel: There was a general rebellion among the northern tribes. From the Jordan as far as Jerusalem: The people along David's route to Jerusalem expressed their loyalty to the king.




Word Focus

Jerusalem

(Heb. yerushalaim) (5:5; Is. 40:2; Zech. 2:12) Strong's 3389: The name Jerusalem is related to the word for "peace" (see the psalmist's prayer for "the peace of Jerusalem"; Ps. 122:6). During the reign of king David, Jerusalem was made the political and religious capital of Israel and became central to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Jerusalem is described variously in the Old Testament as: the city of God (Ps. 87:1); the place where God has put His name (2 Kin. 21:4); a place of salvation (Is. 46:13); the throne of God (Jer. 3:17); and a holy city (Is. 52:1). The prophets foresaw an approaching time when Jerusalem would be judged because of its iniquity (Mic. 4:10), but in pronouncing judgment they could also see its glorious restoration (Is. 40:2; 44:25; Dan. 9:2; Zeph. 3:16). This vision of a restored Jerusalem included the hope of a New Jerusalem in which God would gather all His people (Is. 65:17; Rev. 21:1, 2).




20:4 Amasa, who had commanded Absalom's army (17:25), had been offered Joab's position as commander in chief of David's army (19:13). Apparently, he accepted the offer and was commissioned to put down Sheba's rebellion.

20:5, 6 But he delayed: Amasa's delay in carrying out David's order to gather forces against Sheba's rebellion could have resulted in a disaster like that of Absalom's revolt. Abishai, Joab's older brother (1 Chr. 2:16), was enlisted to take command of the soldiers of Judah and put down Sheba's revolt. David knew that Sheba's revolt was potentially more dangerous than Absalom's, since Sheba's rebellion was based on long-standing tribal animosity between Israel and Judah.

20:7 Joab's men are distinguished from the rest of David's army. Apparently, Joab maintained his own group of elite soldiers.

20:8, 9 Gibeon was about six miles northwest of Jerusalem. Joab apparently adjusted his sword so that it fell from the sheath as he stepped forward to greet Amasa (v. 4). Assuming a mere accident, Amasa did not pay attention to the weapon in Joab's left hand (v. 10). Are you in health, my brother: The term translated health is the Hebrew word shalom, meaning "peace." Brother is not just a formality here; Joab and Amasa were cousins, sons of two of David's sisters (1 Chr. 2:16, 17). Joab took Amasa by the beard: This friendly greeting, a preliminary to a kiss, was now a preparation for killing him.

20:12 wallowed in his blood: The bloody spectacle of Amasa lying on the road caused the soldiers to stop and think about what it might mean to follow Joab. One of the soldiers finally covered the corpse so that the shocking scene would not impede the movement of the soldiers any further.

20:14 He probably refers to Sheba, who traveled the land attempting to raise popular support for his rebellion. Abel and Beth Maachah were cities in northern Galilee so closely connected that they became identified. They were four miles west of Dan (1 Kin. 15:20; 2 Kin. 15:29).

20:15 A siege mound was used in ancient warfare to allow soldiers to reach the top of a city wall. The mound consisted of dirt and debris placed against the wall.

20:18, 19 The wise woman explained to Joab that Abel was famous for the wisdom and counsel offered by its citizens. In addition to being peaceable and faithful, Abel was noted as a mother city, or a recognized leader in the region. The citizens had done nothing to deserve the city's destruction.

20:21, 22 his head will be thrown to you: Convinced that the death of Sheba would end the siege, the people of Abel cut off his head and threw it over the wall to Joab.

20:23 Joab was the overall commander of David's army, while Benaiah was in charge of the Cherethites and the Pelethites, foreign mercenaries who fought for David.

20:24, 25 Revenue may refer to forced labor (see 1 Kin. 12:18). The recorder, meaning "one who causes to remember," was responsible for keeping official records. The scribe was the king's official secretary.

20:26 Ira replaced David's sons (8:18) as chief minister, a word customarily translated priest.

[JayDawg]

March 9th bump!

[JayDawg]

Bump!

[JayDawg]

Bump!