2 Samuel 16
-As David passed beyond the summit of the Mount of Olives
fleeing the city of Jerusalem now in exile, a servant of Mephibosheth, and
caretaker of his property, met him with a couple of saddled donkeys and food
supplies. His name was Ziba, and David promptly asked him why he had these
provisions. Ziba told him that the donkeys were for the king’s household to
ride, the bread and summer fruit were for the young men to eat, and the wine
was for whoever may be faint in the wilderness and needed a drink. This Ziba
was showing favor to David, but David asked an important question. He asked
where his master’s (Jonathan) son was. Ziba lied and told him that he had
stayed in Jerusalem with hopes that the house of Israel would be returned to
him. Mephibosheth never initiated this plan, but David accepted Ziba’s lie. He
gave him all that belonged to Mephibosheth, thus nullifying his previous
generosity (see 2 Samuel 9), and showed a woeful lack of discernment in a flippant
moment. Ziba was grateful for finding favor in the sight of the king and
prostrated himself before him in respect (2 Samuel 16-1-4).
-More intrigue occurred along the exile’s path as they came
to Bahurim (also known as Nob on the eastward path from Jerusalem to Jericho
just past the Mount of Olives in the land of Benjamin). There, a man named
Shimei from the family of Saul came out cursing David as he came through.
Things got ugly as this Shimei threw stones at the king, his servants, the
people, even the mighty men who were at David’s right and left hand. Shimei
said, “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, and worthless fellow! The LORD
has returned upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place
you have reigned; and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son
Absalom. And behold, you are taken in
your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!” Abishai, who was the brother of
military commander Joab (2 Samuel 2:18), stood up for the exiled king at this
point, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over now and
cut off his head.” Exacerbated, David replied, “What have I to do with you, O
sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the LORD has told him, ‘Curse David,’
then who shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” He continued with resignation, “Behold,
my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more this Benjamite? Let
him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him.” But then he
acknowledged some faith and hope as he continued his didactical discourse, “Perhaps
the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his
cursing this day.” So, they went along their way not interfering with the
antics of this Shemei, a man of anger and self-retribution. He continued to
mock along the hillside parallel with the king cursing and casting stones and
throwing dust at him. A real chaotic scene we can be sure. When the king and
all the people who were with him finally arrived at their destination at the
fords (2 Samuel 15:28), they were weary, but they refreshed themselves there in
that desert place with an uncertain future looming (2 Samuel 16:5-14).
-The scene shifts back to Jerusalem, where Absalom was now
arriving with his supporters from the men of Israel. The sought after
counselor, Ahithophel, was at his side now. So too, was the spy for David’s
sake, Hushai the Archite. He came to Absalom to win his favor. Absalom
questioned him on this, but Hushai was able to convince him that his allegiance
was with the newly self-proclaimed leader of Israel. Now Absalom sought
Ahithophel’s advice on how to proceed in their newly conquered kingdom.
Ahithophel advised him to go into his father’s concubines, that he had left to
take care of the house (2 Samuel 15:16), to infuriate his father and strengthen
the perception that he was now the man in control of the nation. This was a demonic-divisionary
tatic, but also a fulfillment of Nathan’s prophecy in his rebuke of King David
post the Bathsheba/Uriah incident (2 Samuel 12:11-12). They pitched a tent on
the roof for Absalom, and he had sexual relations with David’s concubines in
the sight of all Israel. There is a commentary of Ahithophel’s Rasputin-like
counsel in the final verse, “The advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those
days, was as if one inquired of the
word of God; so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom (2 Samuel 16:15-23).”
-*Application* How do we handle times in our lives when we
are weary and feel totally defeated? This is how David must have felt as he
journeyed back into the desert of wandering and uncertainty. He did not lose
faith, and he kept from retaliating in an uncommon demonstration of
self-control and obedience to his Creator. Even when those around him wanted to
take matters to a new level in retribution, he resigned his fate to the Master
of his soul and was patient. Let’s pray that God will look upon any affliction
we might be receiving and return good to us instead of cursing this day.
Verse to Memorize:
2 Samuel 16:12
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