While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone. The watchman called out to the king and reported it.
The “internet” of the day! And to think communication now is instantaneous, transmitting in the blink of an eye both information and disinformation…
The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”
The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”
The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Weakness. Guilt. The young, intrepid shepherd boy that slayed Goliath (1 Samuel 17:34-37) is no longer recognizable. Lord, may I never lose all that I once was and will be.
Throughout the tribes of Israel, all the people were arguing among themselves, saying, “…why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”
…the men of Judah… sent word to the king, “Return, you and all your men.” Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan.
Israel’s betrayal of David is not unlike their betrayal of God (Zechariah 11:7-14). The road back here is not unlike the road back from Babylon (Ezra 2). Recovering from the wounds is painful (John 21:15-19). But at the end of the day, how we respond is a decision of the heart (Psalm 126; Ezra 3:12-13). Better to respond with joy (Philippiens 4:4).
Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul’s household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was.
People always hurry to intervene when their personal interests are at stake…
Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”
He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba my servant betrayed me. And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish.
How all that time must have been so stressful for Mephibosheth. He was powerless to combat Ziba’s lies (2 Samuel 16:3), truly the power of this world (John 8:44). May I stand firm, Lord (Ephesians 6:16).