2 Samuel 21:1

2 Samuel 21:1 says, Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.  After David was returned as king, there was a drought in the land.  David asked God why, or prayed about.  God answered him that it was because of Saul's having slain the Gibeonites.   When we have concerns, we should take them to God in prayer, and He will answer if we are listening.  Verse two adds, And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)  David called out to the Gibeonites, who were not Israelites, but were the descendants of the Amorites, whom the people of Israel had made an agreement with to not harm them, and Saul had broken that agreement.  We as Christians come from different backgrounds, but we need to support one another instead of trying to destroy one another, and w are not called on to destroy others in order to keep Christianity pure.  Verse three continues, Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?  David asked the Gibeonites what he could do for them to make atonement for Saul’s actions.  If we as followers of Christ have harmed others, we need to be the ones to ask what we can do for them to make atonement.  Of course, our atonement with God can only come from putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse four states, And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.  The Gibeonites told David that they didn't want silver or gold, nor did they want David to kill any Israelites to avenge what Saul had done.  As Christians, we should never look for material reward if someone has harmed us, nor should we want them to suffer.  We should reach out to them with the love of Christ instead.  Verse five adds, And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,  Verse slx continues, Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.  Though they said they didn't want David to kill any man of Israel because of them, they then told Dato send them seven sons of Saul and they would hang them in Gibeah, Saul’s home.  They said they would do this to the Lord.  We cannot seek vengeance against others and claim it is being done for God.  David agreed with their request.  Verse seven says, But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.  David spared Mephibosheth because of his covenant with Jonathan, just as God will spare Christians because of their covenant with Jesus Christ.  Verse eight adds, But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:  Matthew Henry says these were the sons Michal had when Saul had given her as a wife to another man.  Verse nine continues, And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.  David delivered seven of Saul's sons, two from one of his concubines and five of his grandsons from Michal, to the Gibeonites and they were hanged.  These seven may have had nothing to do with Saul's mistreatment of the Gibeonites, but they paid the price.  Jesus has nothing to do with our sinful actions, but He willingly paid the price for them, and if we put our faith in Him as our personal Savior and Lord, then we are forever restored to God.

2 Samuel 20:16

2 Samuel 20:16 says, Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.  As Joab and his men were attempting to tear down the walls of Abel, a woman came to him and asked to speak to him.  Once more, a woman was taking charge, but of course a man coming to them from the city might have been killed before he had a chance to speak.  Woman are still too often having to bear the responsibility for sharing the gospel and doing God's work today.  Verse seventeen adds, And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.  When Joab came near her, she asked if he were Joab and if he would hear her, and he said yes to both questions.  If we are to be forgiven for our sins, we must first know Who Jesus is, and we can be certain that He will always hear us when we call on Him by faith.  Verse eighteen continues, Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.  She said that the city of Abel had long been known as a city of wisdom and people had accepted what was said there as the truth.  Of course, true wisdom only comes from God, so we cannot appeal to Him based on our knowledge.  Verse nineteen concludes, I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?  She aaid she was one who was peaceable and faithful to Israel, as were most of the people of the city, and she asked Joab why he would destroy the city and them.  All Christians are a part of God's family, and we should never be attempting to destroy each other.  Verse twenty states, And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.  Joab said far be it from him to do such a thing.  Verse twenty-one adds, The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.  Joab said that he only wanted one man, Sheba, who had risen up against David and that if they delivered him, Joab would leave the city alone.  She said Sheba's head would be thrown over the wall.  Though we need to remove the enemies of God from the church, we certainly should not destroy other Christians to do so, and it really isn't our responsibility to kill them.  We should always reach out to them with the gospel.  Verse twenty-two continues, Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.   The woman went to the people in the city with the knowledge of what Joab wanted, and they did as she promised him and and cut off Sheba's head and threw it over the wall. It was better for one man who was rebelling against David to die than for the whole city to be destroyed.  Joab sounded the trumpet for the army to retreat and returned to Jerusalem and David.  Though I believe that we should leave their fate up to God, we certainly need to weed out those who are in our fellowship of believers but who are working against God, and when we do, we need to simply continue to faithfully serve Him.  Verse twenty-three says, Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:  Verse twenty-four adds, And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:  Verse twenty-five continues, And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:  Verse twenty-six concludes, And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.  We are then told who was in what position of leadership of those who were serving David.  Of  course, Joab was only in his position because he had killed the man David had appointed.  There are still power hungry people in the church today unfortunately, who put themselves ahead of what God wants.

2 Samuel 20:7

2 Samuel 20:7 says, And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.  Joab and his men left in pursuit of Sheba, who was now attempting to take the throne away from David.  Just because one threat to our relationship is Jesus Christ as our King, or even to His authority, dies doesn't mean that another will not immediately arise, so we need to always be ready for the battle.   Verse eight adds, When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.  Joab had a sword sewn into his garment, but as he went along, it fell out.  Sometimes, the things that we may secretly put our faith in may fail us.  That is why we should publicly proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ alone at all times.  Verse nine continues, And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.  Along the way, Joab pretended to care about Amasa's well-being, taking him by the beard as if to kiss him in a friendly gesture. There are still people today who pretend to care about us, but who secretly want to destroy us.  Verse ten concludes, But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. Amasa didn't pay attention to the sword in Joab’s hand, not thinking of him as a threat.  Joab once again murdered someone that he had reason to dislike.  When we put our own desires above those of others, especially if we have reason to dislike them, we often do things that God would not approve of.  Afterwards, Joab and Abishi continued to pursue Sheba as if nothing bad had happened.  We cannot ignore God's law and do evil things and just go on with our life as if nothing bad has happened and be successful as followers of Christ and expect to never be held accountable.  Verse eleven states, And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.  One of Joab’s men called for those who favored Joab and were for David to follow Joab, but the two things were not necessarily the same.  David would not have approved of what Joab did.  We cannot ask people to follow us if they want to be obedient to God if we are doing things against God's will.  Verse twelve adds, And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.  Amasa was bleeding to death in the highway when a man saw people standing still around him.  Even though we were told he was dead, we are also told that he wallowed in blood, so his death may  not have been immediate, and evidently no one was attempting to help him.  If we see hurting people today, hopefully we will do more than just stand and look at them.  Verse thirteen continues, When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.  It seems the only help anyone offered Amasa was to move him out of the highway.  Sometimes, if we are in distress today, all people seem to want to do is move us out of the way so that they will not have to see us.  They then followed Joab as he pursued Sheba.  We need to be careful what leader we follow today.  Joab seemed to be doing whatever kept him in a position of power and making choices that brought him satisfaction over his enemies with no honor or compassion, and some people are still this way today.  We should never blindly follow after them. Verse fourteen says. And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.  Sheba went throughout Israel trying to gather the people to follow him.  Matthew Henry says that Sheba was able to get a few people to follow him, but it was very few.  It seems that there will always be a few people who will follow anyone.  Verse fifteen adds, And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.  Sheba and those following him eventually hold up in Abel, and Joab’s force battered the wall.  We may need to knock down some walls that have been built up against God in order to reach people with the gospel. 

2 Samuel 20:1

2 Samuel 20:1 says, And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.  Sheba opposed the rule of David and blew a trumpet to call attention to his opposition.  After getting the people's attention, he denounced David, calling him the son of Jesse, a shepherd. Matthew Henry says that Sheba was a Benjamite from the house of Saul and would therefore have a grudge against David, and he stated his opposition just as people were starting to return to following David.  We can be certain that Satan will never stop attacking us as we follow the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.  Verse two adds, So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.  The people of Isreal left David and followed Sheba, while the people of Judah followed David.  No matter how many people who profess to follow Christ turn away from Him, if we are truly His followers, we must never allow ourselves to go with them.  Verse three states, And 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 ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.  David took the ten concubines that he had left behind that Absalom had taken for his own and set them apart from the rest of the people.  He took care of their daily needs, but they were treated as widows until David died.  Matthew Henry puts some of the blame for their being imprisoned on the women, sayingvthat they easily or willing went to Absalom, but I am not sure they had much choice, the same as they likely had very little choice in becoming David’s concubines.  I don't believe that we should ever blame those who are victims of someone else's sin if it affects them.  Verse four adds, Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.  David told Amasa to assemble the men of Judah and for him to be present with them.  Amasa had been the head of Absalom’s army, but was now named as the head of David's army in place of Joab.  Many people today still flip-flop in their relationship with Jesus Christ because they have never truly accepted Him as Lord of their life.  They are just true to whatever brings them the most reward.  Of course, as Matthew Henry points out, as soon as Sheba began to deny David as the king, the people of Judah should have immediately rallied around David, just as we must rally around Jesus Christ when the people of the world attempt to discredit Him as the only way to salvation.  Verse five continues, So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. Amasa went to assemble the people of Judah, but he tarried beyond the appointed time to do so. We as followers of Christ must act in His time line and not tarry in doing what He has called usxto do, and the first step is always to accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord.  We can tarry too long.  Verse six concludes. And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.  David turned to Abishai to lead his forces against Sheba, seeing the need to put down his rebellion before he became entrenched and became an even bigger problem than Absalom had been.  We need to be careful that we don't defeat one sin in our life only to allow another to take its place and become entrenched in our life.

2 Samuel 19:39:

2 Samuel 19:39 And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.  Once more all the people crossed over the Jordan.  Once we cross over into heaven, we will never leave and have a need to return again.  David also sent Barzillai back to his own country with his thanks and blessing.  In this lifetime, we may need to send people who help us back to their own home with our thanks and blessings, hopefully as fellow believers.  Verse forty adds, Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel. When David went oh to Gilgal, all the people of Judah and half the people of Israel went with him.  As Christians, where Christ went, which is back to heaven, should be where we are all looking to go, and daily until then we should walkunder the guidanceof the Holy Spirit.  Verse forty-one continues,  And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?  The rest of the people of Israel came to David and asked why the people of Judah had stolen him away and brought him back over the Jordan.  Matthew Henry says the men of Israel had gone ahead to prepare for David’s return and only the men of Judah had escorted him back over the Jordan and they were angry about it, but we are told that half the men of Israel were with David when he crossed over the Jordan.  Either way, many of the people of Israel were upset.  We as followers of Christ should never be upset if someone else leads someone to Jesus Christ.  Also, not long before nearly all the people had been aligned with Absalom against David.  We have all been aligned against God until we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, so we should never feel more important than any other Christian.  Verse forty-two states, All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?  The men of Judah defended their actions,  The men of Judah said that David was their near kin, and asked why the people of Israel were angry, the implication being I believe that they had more right to escort David back.  We will never be any closer kin to Jesus Christ than any other Christian.  They also said that they had cost David nothing and he had given them no gifts.  We as Christians have cost Jesus Christ His death on the cross, and He has given us all the gift of everlasting life with Him.  He has also given us at least one spiritual gift and we need to discover and develop it without feeling superior to any other Christian.  Verse forty-three adds, And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.  The people of Israel claimed they had a much grater right to claim David and return him to his position as king.  What we need to realize is that no one has a greater right to claim Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord than anyone else, and we don't put Him on the throne, because He is already there.  All we can do is acknowledge Him as our King.  We are also told that the people of Judah were fiercer in their speech, which Matthew Henry says God does not like.  I don't believe that we should ever boast that we are somehow more deserving of God's mercy than anyone else, and we certainly shouldn't do it in a loud and boastful way

2 Samuel 19`31

2 Samuel 19:31 says, And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.  Barazillai a Gileadite went over the Jordan with David, conducting him over.  Matthew Henry said Barzillai had been the most loyal to David of the nobility of Israel and would likely have suffered for his loyalty if Absalom had remained in power.  As Christians, Jesus Christ is our King, and we must remain loyal to Him even if we suffer for our loyalty in this life.  One day, like Barzillai with David and the people of Isreal, we will be restored to a position of peace within God's kingdom.  Verse thirty-two adds, Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.  Barzillai was eighty years old, but he had still provided David with sustenance when he was at Mahanaim.  Barzillai was also called man great man, which Matthew Henry says means he was blessed with a lot of riches.  We as followers of Christ should be willing to support those in need if God has blessed us with riches and we should never refuse to do so out of fear, and we should never think we are too old to do so.  Verse thirty-three continues, And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.  David told Barzillai to come over the Jordan with him and he would eat with David 8n Jerusalem.  David was offering to now meet Barzillai's needs and place him in a position of honor.  As Christians, we need to do all that we can to spread the gospel, and one day God will reward us for doing so by inviting us to dine at His table forever.  Verse thirty-four says, And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?  Barzillai asked David how long he thought Barzillai had to live that he should go with him to Jerusalem.  Barzillai felt that he couldn't do any good for David at his age and questioned why he should be in David’s court.  Of course, we shouldn't allow age to be the determining factor in serving God, but we also must realize that there may come a time when our age will prevent us from doing what we once could.  I don't believe we should ever remain in a position in the church if we believe that age is preventing us from doing it effectively.  Verse thirty-five adds, I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?  Barzillai said he was eighty years old and could no longer think clearly, and no longer could really taste his food or hear the music if it was playing.  He then asked David of what use would he be to the king. As we get older, we don't need seek out honor for ourselves, but we must be willing to allow someone better able to serve in positions in the church.  Verse thirty-six continues, Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?  Barzillai said that he would go a little way over the Jordan with David and asked David why he should be repaid for his kindness.  We should never help others expecting to be repaid for any good that we do for them. Verse thirty-seven states, Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.  Barzillai asked David for permission to go back and die and be buried with his father and mother.  I believe that if we feel that we are too old to serve in the church that we should ask our King, God Himself, for His permission to stop.  Age alone should never be a reason to quit actively serving in the church.  Barzillai then offered a replacement, a man named Chimham, for himself to serve David.  If is always best if we believe that we are no longer capable of serving that we can suggest someone who can replace us.  Verse thirty-eight adds, And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.  David said that he would allow Chimham to go in Barzillai's place, but he would still do all that he could to help Barzillai.  We need to acknowledge that there will come a time when we are physically and maybe mentally no longer able to actively serve in the church, but as Christians God will never stop meeting our needs as long as we remain obedient to Him..

2 Samuel 19:24

 2 Samuel 19:24 says, And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.  Mephibosheth came to David.  He was in a pretty bad condition in his appearance since he had done nothing to keep himself clean since David had gone on the run.  Of course, Jesus will never be on the run, but we can only come to Him spiritually unclean and ask His forgiveness which will wash us clean spiritually.  No amount of attempting to clean ourself up is going to do any good.  Verse twenty-five adds, And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?  When Mephibosheth got to David, David asked him why he hadn't gone with him.  One day, those who reject Jesus Christ are going to be asked why they didn't go with Him.  Verse twenty-six continues, And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.  Mephibosheth told David that Ziba had deceived him by saying he was going to go saddle an ass and go to David for him and then leaving him helpless to do anything because he was lame.  We can never claim that anyone prevented us from coming to Jesus, but Mephibosheth honestly make that claim with David.  Verse twenty-seven says, And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.  Mephibosheth then told David that Ziba had slandered him to David, but then added that David was an angel from God and told him to do with him as he wished.   I don't believe that David had acted anything like an angel from God in this situation, since he had taken Ziba's woed without even attempting to find out the facts.  We need to always seek God's guidance in every situation.  Verse twenty-eight adds, For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?  Mephibosheth said that when he was as a dead man before David that David had set him at his table, and he had no right to ask for more.  As followers of Christ, He has set us at His table forever, and what right do we have to ask for more.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.  David asked Mephibosheth why he was still discussing the matter of the land and said that Ziba and he should divide it.  We do not need to be discussing the things of this world as being important since we have everlasting life through faith in Jesus Christ if we have accepted it by putting our faith in Him.  Verse thirty concludes, And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.  Mephibosheth said let Ziba have it all, since his only concern was for David, and he had returned safely.  Our only concern as Christians should be our relationship with Jesus Christ, and we should willingly give up everything in this world to continue to put Him first.

2 Samuel 19:16

2 Samuel 19:16 says, And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.  Shemei a Benjamite hurried down to meet David with the men of Judah.   Jesus Christ is the Conquering King, and if we haven't accepted Him as our Savior and Lord, we should be in a hurry to do so when He comes near.  Verse seventeen adds, And 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 Jordan before the king.  Along with the thousand men of Benjamin were Ziba and his fifteen sons and twenty servants.  Ziba had deceived David into giving him the land of Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, and now he was quick to at least pretend to show his support for David, even though he had not gone to help him while Absalom was pursuing him.  Some people will always be quick to support whoever is in power, even if they have previously stood with those who were against them.  Verse eighteen continues, And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;   Matthew Henry says that there hadn't been as great of a crossing of the Jordan since Joshua had crossed over.  The Jordsn didn't part, but David crossed over without getting wet on a ferry boat.  One day, we as Christians will all cross safely into heaven and we won't have to struggle to do so.  Shimei, who had cursed David when he was out of power was there to praise him now. We should never be surprised if people of the world switch back and forth between cursing and praising God depending on how those in power treat Him.  Verse nineteen states, And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.   Shimei asked David to not hold him responsible for the things he said when David left Jerusalem.  He said that David shouldn't take what he said to heart.  If we do not accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, one day we are going to be standing before Him asking Him to not take our rejection of Him to heart, but then it will be too late.  Verse twenty adds. For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.  Shimei confessed that he had sinned against David and said he came as one of the first from the house of Joseph to come to him to ask his forgiveness.  All we as sinners can do is to come to God through putting our faith in Jesus Christ and ask God's forgiveness, and it doesn't matter what family we come from.   We can never justify ourselves before God.  Verse twenty-one continues, 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?  Abishai asked if Shimei should not be put to death because he had cursed David, the Lord's anointed.  There are still people today, even some Christians, who would gladly see sinners condemned to hell instead of being forgiven.  Some Christians look down on others proclaiming them to be unfit to be forgiven.  Verse twenty-two says, And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?  David rejected Abishai's suggestion, asking if he, David himself, did not know that he was king of Israel without putting those who had opposed him to death and adding yhat there would be no man put to death that day.  Even though we deserve everlasting punishment, if we confess our sins and come to Jesus asking for forgiveness, He will give us everlasting life with Him.  Jesus will never reject anyone who comes to Him asking for forgiveness, no matter how much they may have fought against Him before, and we as Christians should never believe that some people deserve God's punishment and hope for it to happen.  Verse twenty-three adds, Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.  David told Shemei that he would not die for his actions, but David forgave him and swore to it.  As Christians, we will never be spiritually separated from God and He has already sworn to this when He sent His only begotten Son to die in our place. 

2 Samuel 19:9

2 Samuel 19:9 says, And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.  The people of Israel were at strife about what to do after Absalom was killed.   David had been a successful leader before, but they had turned to Absalom as king.  Though he had been successful in saving them from their enemies in the past, David who could have returned to Jerusalem in peace and safety and reclaimed the city seemed to be in no hurry to do so.  We cannot be content with past successes, but must continue to move ahead by faith if we are to be successful as Christians today.  Verse ten adds, And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?  They also pointed out that Absalom, whom the people had anointed king, though God did not, was dead, and asked why they weren't speaking at all about bringing David the true king back.  If we are Christians, we must follow Christ alone and should never allow anyone or anything to become mote important than Him in our life.  Verse eleven continues, And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.  David then sent Zadok and Abiathar the priests to the people of Judah to ask why they were the last to call for the king to come back to his house.  Judah was David’s own tribe, and Matthew Henry says that they should have been the first to call for David’s return, but they hadn't done so.  If we as Christians have allowed someone else to become our lord instead of Jesus Christ Himself, we need to repent individually and as a group if necessary and ask for Him to return as our Lord.  Verse twelve states, Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?  David pointed out that they were his kinsmen and asked why they had not called for his return.  We need to remember that as followers of Christ we are His kinsmen by adoption into the family of God and if we have strayed away from Him, He is going to be asking us why.  Verse thirteen adds, And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.  David told the priests to ask Amasa if he were not a relative of David, even if he had been the head of Absalom’s army.  We need to remember that we are all a part of the family of God as Christians and if we have been having a dispute with each other, we need to remember that we are all still a part of the same family and make sure that we keep Jesus Christ on the throne as Lord of our life.  Matthew Henry points out that David didn't do Amasa any favor by pointing out his plan to replace Joab, who was becoming increasingly hauty, with him.  This would lead Joab to kill Amasa later.  Verse fourteen continues, And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.  All the people of Judah called for David to return as King.  We as Christians should always be united in keeping Jesus Christ as our King and should let the world know that He is.  Verse fifteen concludes, So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.  David returned to the Jordan and the people of Jordan met him there to lead him back over.  One day, our King, Jesus Christ, is going to return, but it won't be so we can lead Him back into a position of authority, but so that He can lead us, as His followers into His everlasting kingdom.

2 Samuel 19:1

2 Samuel 19;1 says, And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.  Joab was told about David’s deep mourning for Absalom.  Joab and the others who followed him had fought hard to defeat Absalom in his attempt to usurp David, and now all David seemed to be capable of was mourning Absalom’s death.  If we have to cutoff our relationship with some people, even if they later die, we should never allow this to stop us from rejoicing in our salvation.  I believe that David would have been better off privately mourning for Absalom while publicly rejoicing with the people in the victory.  Verse two adds, And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.  Instead of celebrating the victory, all the people began to mourn with David over the death of his son.  As already stated, the people should have been celebrating the victory, just as we should celebrate the victory over sin and death by our faith in Jesus Christ, but along  with David they were mourning the death of the one who had attempted to destroy them.  We certainly can't afford to mourn the death of those things that would destroy us, especially those that affect our relationship with God.  Nothing we give up for God is worth mourning.  Verse three continues, And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.  The people began to move around secretly as they would if they had fled in battle.  In other words, they became ashamed to have been a part of the victory.  We should never allow the world to make us ashamed or our victories over sin today.  Verse four concludes, But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!   David was still covering his face in mourning and continually crying out for Absalom.  We should never allow the loss of anything in this world, even family members, to come between God and us.  Verse five states, And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;  Joab came to David and spoke honestly to him.  He said that David had shamed the people who had saved him and his family by defeating Absalom and his men.  If we are mourning the loss of the things of this world as Christians, we are bringing shame on Jesus Christ Who died to set us free from those things that would destroy us, and we may need a fellow believer to point this out to us.  Verse six adds, In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.  Joab added that David had no regard for those who had been willing to die to protect him and said that he believed had they all died and Absalom lived that David would have been happier.  We cannot be successful in serving God if we mourn the things we think we have lost by following Him more than we rejoice in our salvation.  Verse seven continues, Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.  Joab told David to go and speak to the people, or in other words act like a king and not a grieving father who felt that the death of his rebellious son was all that was important.  We cannot afford to be the same way, mourning for the loss of the things of this world more than we celebrate our victory through our faith in Jesus Christ.  If we ever begin to feel that we have given up too much to follow Him, this is what we are doing.  Joab added that David was going to lose the support of all the people if he continued to act as he was doing.  Verse eight concludes, Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.  David listened to Joab’s advice and went and sat at the gate, and when they heard this the people who had sneaked away began to return to David.  If we have been mourning the loss of anything more than we have been celebrating our relationship with Jesus Christ, other Christians may not want to be around us.  If we have, we need to repent, ask God's forgiveness, and begin to rejoice in the Lord.  

2 Samuel 18:24

 2 Samuel 18;24 says, And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.  David was not just going about his everyday life unconcerned, but he was sitting between the gates of the city awaiting news.  We need to be concerned about what is happening to God's people today and not just being unconcerned as long as we aren't directly involved.  Verse twenty-five adds, And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.  David also had a watchmen on alert, who saw a runner coming.  We today still need watchmen to keep the forces of evil from sneaking up on us.  David said if the runner was alone that he was coming with news.  We as followers of Christ need to be like runners sharing the good news, the gospel of Christ, and not like someone running to destroy the lost people of the world.  Verse twenty-six continues, And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.  The watchman then saw another man running and sent word to David, who said the second man also brought news.  Hopefully, as we are sharing the gospel today we will not be alone, but it should never be a competition as to who can share it first.  We as Christians need to work together to spread the gospel.   Verse twenty-seven states, And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.  The watchman thought he recognized the runner who was ahead as Ahimaaz, and David said that he was a good man and came with good tidings.  We need to be known as good people when we go into the world to share the gospel so that people will be more likely to realize that we are only there to share good news with them.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.  Ahimaaz called out to David and told him all was well, falling down on his face before continuing to tell David that all his enemies had been delivered to him.  There is coming a day when all of the enemies of God will be defeated and we as Christians will fall at His feet in worship.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.  David asked if Absalom was safe, and Ahimaaz told him that before Joab sent him to David, he saw a great tumult but didn't know what it meant.  Matthew Henry says that Ahimaaz remembered Joab saying that the news of Absalom’s death might not be good news to David, so he left the fact of his death vague.  Even if people don't want to hear it, we today cannot be afraid to share the gospel simply because we are afraid of how it will be received.  Verse thirty says, And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.  David told Ahimaaz to turn aside and stand still, and he did.  Since Ahimaaz said he couldn't tell David if Absalom was safe or not, David had him wait until the next messenger got there. David may have assumed that the second messenger had left later and had more news.  If we faithfully share the gospel, God will never have to tell us to stand aside and wait, but if we withhold all the truth of the gospel, He may.  Verse thirty-one adds, And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.  Cushi, though slower in getting there, also shared the news that David’s enemies had been defeated.  This was the same news that Ahimaaz had shared.  Verse thirty-two continues, And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.  David asked Cushi about Absalom, and though he didn't answer directly, he said all those that rose against David were as Absalom was.  Both Cushi and Ahimaaz had been sent to tell David the news, even about the death of Absalom, and they both were reluctant to tell him the whole truth.  We can never be afraid to share the whole truth of the gospel, even if we don't know how it will be received.  Verse thirty-three continues, And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!   When David knew that Absalom was dead, he began to mourn his death and said that he wished that he had died in Absalom’s place.  Though we cannot die for the salvation of others, we serve a Savior who did, and we should mourn when anyone dies without accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, even if they have been our enemies. 

2 Samuel 18:19

2 Samuel 18:19 says, Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.  Ahimaaz asked for permission to run and bring the news of Absalom’s death to David,  thinking it would be good news to David.  There is always someone who wants to be the first to bring the news to others, whether it is actually good news or not.  Verse twenty adds, And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.  Joab told Ahimaaz that he couldn't carry the news that day, because the king’s son was dead and it may have been that Ahimaaz seemed to eager to share the news of Absalom’s death.  Absalom might have been attempting to kill David, but he was still David’s son.  If we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we will never stop being a child of God, even if sin again.  Verse twenty-one continues, Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.  Joab then told Cushi, an Ethiopian according to Matthew Henry,  to go and tell David what he had seen, and he left to do so.  We may be tasked to bring what is bad news even if others may see it as good news, but we should never be eager to do so.  Verse twenty-two states, Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?  Once more, Ahimaaz asked Joab to allow him to run and share the news with David, but Joab asked him what news he could share since Cushi was already on his way to tell David.  It would be nice if we were as eager to share the gospel with people today as Ahimaaz, this young priest, was to share the news of the death of Absalom, David’s son, with him.  Of course, we should never share the gospel hoping for personal recognition.  Verse twenty-three adds, But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.  Ahimaaz still asked for permission to run to David, and Joab told him to run, even though he felt it would be useless to do so.  At times, we as Christians may believe that sharing the gospel in a particular place or at a particular time is not going to be of any use, but we should never attempt to stop anyone who is eager to do so from doing so.  Ahimaaz overtook Cushi, either because he was a much faster runner or he knew a shorter route.  We should never see the sharing of the gospel a a competition. 

2 Samuel 18:9

 

2 Samuel 18:9 says, And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. Absalom seemed to have been proud of his long hair, but now he was left swinging by it from under a tree.  Sometimes the things we put too much pride in can lead to our downfall.  This is especially true of things that become more important to us than God, as it would seem was the case with Absalom.  Verse ten adds, And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.  A certain unnamed man saw Absalom hanging there and went and told Joab, who was the head of David's forces.  Even if we don't act, if we see a possible way to end conflict with people of the world, we should at least tell someone who has the power to act.  We certainly shouldn't just ignore the situation.  Verse eleven continues, And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.  Joab asked the man why he didn't kill Absalom when he saw him hanging there defenseless.  Joab also said he would heave paid the man if he had done so.  Still, we should never take any action simply for material reward as followers of Christ, and we should also make sure we are doing God's will before we do.  I believe that the man was not seeking self-glory and believed that Joab would be in a better position to make a decision about what to do.  At times, we may believe that other Christians are in a better position to make certain decisions, but what we must realize is that we all have the Holy Spirit indwelling us to lead us to the right decision.  Verse twelve states, And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.  The man said that he would not defy David the king for any amount of money, and David had charged Abishai, Ittai, and Joab to go gentle with Absalom.  We as Christians must never go against the word of our King, God Himself, for any amount of money if we are to live a successful Christian life.  Verse thirteen adds, Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me. The man said that since nothing was hidden from David  that he would have endangered his own life had he killed Absalom  and that Joab himself would have been hunting him.  We can never expect to defy God's word for any reason and believe that He will not know about it.  Verse fourteen continues, Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.  Joab told the man that he could not tarry with him, but instead went to where Absalom was and took three darts and thrust them into Absalom’s heart while he was still hanging in the tree.  Joab did not consult David nor God about this action.  Even if we ask no one else about our actions as Christians, we must always ask God what He would have us do, and it will never be contrary to His word.  Verse fifteen says, And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.  Though we are told that Joab thrust three darts in Absalom’s heart, this tells us that he wasn't yet dead and ten young men beat him and then killed him.  Not only were they killing Absalom against David’s orders, they were wanting him to suffer before he died.  I don't believe that we should ever go against God's word and want to cause the lost people of the world to suffer, since Jesus Christ died for them just as surely as He died for us.  Verse sixteen adds, And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.  After Absalom had been killed, Joab sounded the retreat from pursuing the rest of those who had followed Absalom.  We will never conquer all the evil in this world but at times we may need to fall back in our pursuit of destroying it and simply live our life at peace.  Verse seventeen continues, And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.  They threw Absalom’s body in a great pit and covered it with a large heap of stones.  Though Absalom had rebelled against David, he was still a son of David the king and he was denied even a proper burial.  Though how we are buried really doesn't matter, those who are followers of Christ should always be reaching out to everyone with the love of God and forgiveness while they are alive and should be treated with respect even after they die.  Just as Absalom was still David’s son even when he rebelled against him, if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we will always a child of God, even if we rebel against His word at times.  Those who had followed Absalom had fled when he died, so this was a good outcome, but it still went against David’s orders.  Even if we have a good outcome in a situation as Christians in the eyes of the world, if what we have one goes against God's word, it will never be a good thing.  Verse eighteen concludes, Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place.  Absalom didn't have a son to carry on his name, so he had made a pillar, or monument to himself to be remembered by and the pillar remained.  We don't really need to wonder if people will remember our name after we die, but only need to be concerned with whether our name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

2 Samuel 18:1

2 Samuel 18:1 says, And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.  David counted the number of men with him at this time and it had evidently increased, since he set captains over thousands and over hundreds.  We are not told where they came from, but Matthew Henry said they may have come from the coasts of Israel.  I believe we can safely say that God was providing David with assistance, just as He does for us today when we need it to carry out His will in our life.  Verse two adds, And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.  David divided the troops into three equal groups, with Joab over a third, Abishai over a third, and Ittai over a third.  We cannot all be in the same place at the same time in the war against evil today, but we must all go where God leads us to go.  David said he was going with them as well.  We can be certain that wherever we go under God's direction that He will be there with us as well. Verse three continues, But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.  The people told David to remain in the city because if they failed Absalom would not care about them, but he would pursue David.  Now, we should never ask God to remain behind when we are fighting against Satan and his forces today, nor would He anyway, but it is really not us but God Himself that Satan wishes to destroy.  Verse four states, And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.  David said that he would do what the people thought best, but I believe that he should have sought God's guidance and not just the guidance of the people.  We need to make sure that if our fellow Christians give us advice today that we have also prayed and sought God's will about the situation.  While David stood by the gate, people came to him by the hundreds and thousands.  Verse five adds,  And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.  Even though Absalom was attempting to claim the throne and kill David, David told his three captains to deal gently with him.  If David could have this much compassion for Absalom, I believe it tells us that we should have compassion on those who may be out to harm us  today, especially those who are our fellow believers.   Sometimes, they may not be forgiving toward us, but we are still to want what is best for them under God's guidance.  Verse six continues, So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;  The people with David went out to battle against those following Absalom, even though they were all Israelites, a part of God's chosen people.  As Christians, we are all a part of God's chosen people, and we certainly don't need to be at war with each other.  Verse seven says, Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.  As they fought in the woods of Ephraim, David’s troops killed twenty thousand of the men of Israel who were following Absalom.  It is a shame that so many of God's chosen people had to be slain by others of His chosen people because they mistakenly had followed the wrong person.  We as followers of Christ certainly don't need to be fighting against each other over some mistaken belief or the other.  Verse eight adds, For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.  We are told that more people were killed by the woods themselves, possibly in their attempting to flee too fast, than were killed by the sword.  God didn't need a powerful army to bring victory to His people, and He still doesn't today.  He has already claimed the ultimate victory by a cross on a hill.  We simply need to be faithful to His calling and follow His will for our life as Christians.  

2 Samuel 17:25

2 Samuel 17:25 says, And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother. Absalom made Amasa, who was the son of Abigail, David’s sister, his captain over the army instead of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, David’s other sister according to Matthew Henry.  Also, Matthew Henry says that Amasa's father was also an Ishmaelite who was a naturalized Israelite.  He was kin to Absalom, even though Joab was also.  People today still sometimes put their relatives in positions of power if they have the opportunity to do so.  Verse twenty-six adds, So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.  The army of Isreal and Absalom set up camp in Gilead as they pursued David.  Absalom had evidently gathered all the people as Hushai had instructed him to, but now he was chasing David.  People intent on doing evil in God's sight will not be put off forever.  Verse twenty-seven states, And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,  When David was in Mahanaim, three men came to him bringing gifts.  Matthew Henry says that Shobi was a younger brother of the royal family of the Ammonites, whose brother Hanun had done indignities to David’s house, yet David had shown kindness to Shobi.  Matthew Henry points out that sometimes someone who has shown kindness and helped others may one day be in need of help them self.  Machir had maintained the estate of Mephibosheth until David relieved him of the responsibility.  Barzillai we will hear more about later.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,  Verse twenty-nine continues And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.   They brought household goods as well as food.  They weren't just thinking about the immediate need but were looking ahead as well. The food that was ready to be eaten they encouraged David and those with him to eat, since they were most likely hungry from their time in the wilderness.  We certainly need to help meet the immediate needs of those who are in need, but we also need to help them more long term if possible, and if we show kindness to others, they may return the favor if we are ever in need.

2 Samuel 17:15

2 Samuel 17:15 says, Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.  Hushai put David’s plan into action, telling Zadok and Abiathar Absalom’s plans so they could get word to David.  Verse sixteen adds, Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.  Hushai said David needed to quickly move from where he was because Absalom planned to overpower him.  At times, we may have to retreat from the battle in order to keep from being overpowered, but we should make sure we are doing so by God's direction.  As with David then, God could have simply destroyed Absalom and kept David safe, just as He could with our enemies today, but He chose not to, and He may choose not to with our enemies today.  Verse seventeen continues, Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.  The young priests, Jonathan and Ahimaaz had stayed outside of Jerusalem so that their coming and going would be less noticeable.  At times,we may have to make ourselves less noticeable in order to do God's will.  We certainly don't need to seek the limelight.  Word was sent by a young woman, and we often see women involved in carrying out God's plan.  Verse eighteen adds, Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.  Jonathan and Ahimaaz were seen as they were carrying word to David and this was reported to Absalom.  The lad who reported them may have honestly done what he thought was his duty, but he was actually working against God's will.  We should never be guilty of working against God's will even if we mistakenly believe that we are doing the right thing.  Jonathan and Ahimaaz went to Bahurim and hid in a well .  Verse nineteen adds, And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. Once more, a woman helped them by covering the mouth of the well by putting a cover over it and spreading corn on the cover.  God works through many different people, some of whom the world will never know their name, to bring about His will.  Verse twenty continues, And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. When Absalom’s men got there, they asked the woman where Jonathan and Ahimaaz were, and she told them that they has gone over the brook of water, and Absalom’s men were unable to find them, so they returned home.  Matthew Henry says the woman lied and that we shouldn't lie, but it would have defeated the purpose of hiding them had she told the truth.  Verse twenty-one says, And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.  After Absalom’s men left, Jonathan and Ahimaaz came out of the well and went to David and shared the message that he needed to move.  Matthew Henry points out that even though Absalom had accepted the advice of Hushai to wait that Hushai didn't want to take the chance that he might decide to follow the advice of Ahithophel instead.  If there is a possibility that staying where we are may put us in danger, we need to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and move if necessary.  Verse twenty-two adds, Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.  David and all those with him passed over the Jordan that night.  If God leads us to move elsewhere, whether for our safety or to share the gospel, we should be ready and willing to do so quickly.  Verse twenty-three states, And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.  When Ahithophel saw that his advice wasn't followed, hexwent home, put his house in order,and hanged himself.  He was evidently so full of self-pride that he couldn't accept that Absalom had not followed his advice.  Self-pride can still lead to our downfall today.  Verse twenty-four adds, Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.  David came to Mahanaim and Absalom and all the men of Israel chased after him.  Absalom was not content to drive David, his father, out of Israel but wanted him dead.  There are still people in the world today who will never be satisfied to simply silence God's people and limit their power, but they will never be satisfied until they have destroyed them.

2 Samuel 17:5

2 Samuel 17:5 says, Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.  After Ahithophel advised Absalom to send  some forces and he himself after David, Absalom sought the advice of Hushai as well.  We can say that at least Absalom wasn't unwilling to seek advice from more than one source, but he didn't seek advice from God, the One true source of knowledge.  Verse six adds, And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.  When Hushai came, Absalom told him what Ahithophel had proposed and even though all the elders of Israel had approved Ahitophel's plan, Absalom asked him if that was what he should do.  Matthew Henry says that Hushai was really attempting to delay Absalom so he could get word to David about Absalom’s plans.  Though all the elders had advised Absalom to pursue David immediately, God was at work to delay his plans.  Verse seven continues, And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.  Hushai said that the counsel that Ahithophel had given him was not good at this time.  He did not totally dispute the counsel of Ahithophel, but he disputed the timing instead.  At times, we may be better off to not totally argue with those who do not follow God but to appeal to their sense of reasoning instead.  Verse eight states, For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.  Hushai reminded Absalom that David and his men were men of war and would be as angry as a mother bear when anyone bothered her cub.  He also said that David had fled, not out of cowardness, but because he didn't want innocent people harmed in the battle.  It would be nice if people today were concerned about harming innocent people in war, but that no longer seems to be the case.  Verse nine adds, Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.  Hushai said that David and his men would lie in wait somewhere and kill some of those who were following Absalom and those that heard about it would say that there was slaughter among those who followed Absalom and they might turn away from him.  Though it may be delayed, there will one day be slaughter among those who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, but it will be too late for others to turn away.  Verse ten continues, And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.  Hushai added that if David successfully defeated those that first went against him, that the people who knew of David's valor, even if they had been strongly following Absalom, would have their courage fail them.  At times, it may be that our best course of action as Christians is to simply get those who oppose us to question their willingness to fight against God and His people.  Verse eleven says, Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.  Hushai advised Absalom to gather all of Israel to him and then for he himself to lead them into battle against David.  This would give David some time to prepare for the coming battle, though Hushai did not state this hidden reason for advising Absalom to wait.  Verse twelve adds, So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one.  Hushai told Absalom that after getting all the people of Israel together to destroy David, that when they came upon him, they could utterly destroy him and those who supported him.  We know that people of the world today would like nothing more than to destroy all Christians, but we also know that spiritually speaking this will never happen.  Verse thirteen continues, Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.  Hushai also said that if David had taken refuge in a city that Absalom by having all the people with him could pull the walls of the city down and then defeat David and his men.  This would also require that Absalom waited before attacking David.  Verse fourteen concludes, And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.  All the men of Israel and Absalom agreed to follow Hushai's plan.  What they didn't realize was that God was behind this plan and that it would lead to the defeat of Absalom.  God at times is at work in the world in ways that we may not immediately recognize.  We simply need to wait by faith and do what He calls us to do.  

2 Samuel 17:1

2 Samuel 17:1 says, Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:  Ahithophel asked Absalom for twelve thousand men to pursue David starting that night.  I am not sure what led to Ahithophel turning against David, but he was evidently very anxious to destroy him.  David only had a small force with him and Ahithophel wanted twelve thousand men to pursue him.  It may be that he was yet afraid of the power that David had always had, bu if he was afraid of the God, the source of God's power, he would have known that no number of men would have been enough to destroy him.  We cannot expect the world to attempt to fight fairly with us today, and the more that we are representing God, the more they will want to destroy us.  Verse two adds, And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:   Ahithophel said he would catch David when he was weary and weak handed and make him afraid.  He underestimated David’s strength, or more importantly the strength of David's God, and since God had anointed David and not Absalom king, Ahithophel was fighting against God as well.  If we as followers of Christ are seen as weak and nearly defeated by people of the world today, they need to remember Who our source of power is, and so do we.  As long as God is with us and we are obedient to Him, we will never be destroyed spiritually.  Verse three continues, And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.  Ahithophel had said that he would kill only David and that then he would bring back all the rest of his troops to serve Absalom.  Again, he was putting his faith in the number of troops he had versus the number that David had and was totally forgetting about God.   People today still believe that with large enough numbers aligned against God's people that they can defeat them, but they forget about God.  We as Christians must never forget the power of God as we fight against evil in the world today.   Ahithophel said that once he did this that Absalom would rule over all the people in peace, but true peace comes only from God and can never be gained by going against God's will.  Verse four concludes,  And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.  This pleased not only Absalom, but all the elders of Israel as well.  These were the leaders of God's chosen people going against God's will and being pleased to do so.  We need to pray that as Christians we never do the same thing today.

2 Samuel 16:15

2 Samuel 16:15 says, And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. When  Absalom came to Jerusalem, Ahithophel, one of David's advisors came along with him.  Verse sixteen adds, And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.  After Absalom got to Jerusalem, Hushai another noted figure in the kingdom and a friend of David's, came to Absalom and acknowledged him as king.  It seemed that all of David's advisors were abandoning him for Absalom, and at times it may seem that all our friends are abandoning us if someone more powerful comes along.  Verse seventeen continues, And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?  Absalom questioned why Hushai had not gone with David, who was his friend.  He had not asked the same of Ahithophel, so he must not have been as close to David.  Absalom asked Hushai if this was the way he repaid a friend, and if we seem to abandon those who have been closest to us, those we abandon them for might ask us why.  I believe that if we abandon following God's guidance as Christians, He will certainly ask us why.  Verse eighteen states, And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.  Hushai answered that the one God and the people chose, he would follow.  Of course, God had not chosen Absalom, so though Hushai's statement was true, it did not mean that he was going to follow Absalom.  We as followers of Christ must always support those that God puts in place and not just those who claim that He has done so.  Verse nineteen adds, And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.  Hushai did then ask Absalom whom he should serve,and said as he had served David, Absalom's father, he would serve Absalom.  Of course, since David was still alive and had not relinquished the throne, Hushai's allegiance should have still been to David.  Our allegiance as Christians should always be to God above all else.  Verse twenty continues, Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.  Absalom then asked Ahithophel for advice as to what he should do.  Absalom was willing to look to others for advice, possibly because he certainly couldn't look to God for advice.  If we are acting outside of God's will, then we can only go to people of the world for advice, and it will likely always be wrong.  The only advice God would give us in a situation like this would be to repent and look to Him for guidance again.  Verse twenty-one says, And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. Ahithophel advised Absalom to go and have a sexual relationship with David's concubines who had been left behind.  Ahithophel said this would make Absalom look strong to all the people.  We can be certain that this advice didn't come from God, and anytime we given advice that is contrary to God's word, we can be certain that God is not behind it.  There is also the fact that this would involve women who did not want this to happen, and if we are going to act against what God teaches, we certainly shouldn't involve people who are powerless to stop us.  Verse twenty-two adds, So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.  Absalom not only did as Ahithophel had said, but he did so in a way that all of Isreal knew what he was doing.  Some people today still flaunt their sinful actions before the world and God.   Verse twenty-three continues,  And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.  Ahithophel appeared to be looking to God for his advice both when he had served David and now as he was serving Absalom.  Today, people still too often claim to be giving Godly advice, even when it goes against God's will and word.  We need to be careful that we aren't led astray by such advice or teachings. 

2 Samuel 16:5

2 Samuel 16:5 says, And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.  When David got to Bahurim, he encountered a relative of Saul who came toward him cursing as he came.  David had done nothing to Saul and was anointed king by God, but the man still didn't honor nor accept Him.  People today treat God the same way, blaming Him for all that is wrong in their life, even though He has done nothing but good by providing a way of salvation.  Veres six adds, And he cast 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. Not only did this man come cursing David, he also was throwing rocks at David and all his men.  Matthew Henry says that Shimei had likely always had hatred for David since Saul’s death, but in David’s current situation he felt empowered to take action, but he he was still only throwing rocks.  Sometimes, we may be guilty of figuratively throwing rocks at God as though we think He is incapable of doing anything to us.  Verse seven continues, And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:  Shimei challenged David to come out and accused him of being a follower of Belial, or the devil.  If Shimei were correct in his assumption that David had usurped the throne that he thought God had placed Saul on, then David would have had to seize the throne by the power of the devil.  We can have people make assumptions about us if they believe that they know more about God's will than we do.  Verse eight concludes, The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.  Shimei then attributed David’s current situation with Absalom assuming the throne, to God's punishment of David for how Shimei perceived David to have treated Saul.  We as followers of Christ cannot afford to make faulty assumptions about other people when they are suffering in life.  David was still loyal to God, but he as suffering in life, and this may be the situation with our fellow Christians today.  Verse nine states, Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.  Abishai asked David why he should allow Shimei to continue to curse him like a dog, when he was still the king, and offered to go and behead Shimei.  At times, we may ask the same thing of God today.  We may wonder why He allows the people of the world to curse and dishonor Him, since He is still the Ruler of the universe.  Verse ten adds, And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?  David basically said to leave Shimei alone and that if he believed that God had told him to curse David, who was David to stop him.  David wasn't really concerned with Shimei and punishing him, and we often need to just let people do what they are going to do, especially if it really doesn't hurt us.  Verse eleven declares, And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.  David said that since Absalom, his own son, sought to kill him, what more could Shimei do, and told all his men to leave Shimei alone.  We as Christians need to know where our ral enemies are and not get distracted by those who are only a pest.  Shimei really didn't have it in his power to do much harm to David and his men, but Absalom did.  Verse twelve adds, It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.  Basically, David said he would leave the situation with Shimei up to God and that maybe God would bring some good out of Shimei's cursing.  We often need to just leave it up to God to deal with those who might curse us and pray that He will bring good from the situation.  Verse thirteen continues, And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. As David as his men went on, Shimei continued to follow them and throw stones at them. Still, he was no real threat to David, and since David had left it up to God to deal with the situation, he didn't worry about it.  Anytime we leave the outcome of a situation up to God, we no longer need to be concerned about it.  Verse fourteen concludes, And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.  David and his men became weary and refreshed themselves there, still ignoring Shimei and his threats.  Even if the people of the world are threatening us today, sometimes we just need to stop and be refreshed by God, even if the threat remains. 

2 Samuel 16:1

2 Samuel 16:1 says, And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.  After David was a little past the top of the hill, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a supply of food.  David had left in a hurry with few provisions it would seem, but God was at work providing for him, even though Ziba was there for his own purpose of replacing his master Mephibosheth.  God can even bring good from those who are up to no good.  Verse two adds, And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.  David asked Ziba what the meaning of his gift was.  Ziba explained it was to help David’s young men.  If someone unexpectedly comes to uswith needed gifts today, we should at least question why they are doing so.  Is it really out of generosity and compassion, or do they want something from us that might not be good in God's view.  Verse three continues, And the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.  David asked Ziba where his master’s son was, and he said he remained in Jerusalem because he said that today the kingdom of his father Saul would be restored to him.  Of course, this was all a lie.  Verse four states, Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.  Again, without checking out the facts, David took zction.  He said that all that belonged to Mephibosheth would now be Ziba's, even though David had given it to Mephibosheth out of respect for Jonathan.  Rash decisions often lead to wrong decisions.  Too often it seems that David did not pray for guidance from God in situations that he was in, but we never should do that.  

2 Samuel 15:24

2 Samuel 15:24 says, And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were 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 done passing out of the city.  When David fled from Absalom, Zadok and the Levites brought the Ark of the Covenant with them.  This had represented God's presence with them, and they wanted it on their side.  As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit with us at all times and don't need a material reminder that He is with us.  Verse twenty-five adds, And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:  David told Zadok to return the Ark of God to the city, and if God showed him favor, he would return to see it there.  As followers of Christ, God has already shown us favor by granting us salvation, and even if the world destroys us, we will one day be called home to be with Him forever.  Verse twenty-six continues, But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.  David then said that if God had no delight in him, then let God do unto him as He saw fit.  As Christians, in any situation that we find ourselves in, we should simply turn the outcome over to God.  Verse twenty-seven states, The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.  David then asked Zadok if he were not a seer, or wiseman Matthew Henry says, and told him to return to the city with his two sons.  We as followers of Christ should have the wisdom of God to guide us.  Verse twenty-eight adds, See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.  David said that he would remain in the plain of the wilderness until he received word from Zadok that it was time to return.  We as followers of Christ should remain where God leads us in times of danger until He tells us it is safe to return to where we were.  If that never happens, we should just remain faithful to Him wherever He has led us until He calls us home to heaven.  Verse twenty-nine continues, Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.  Zadok and Abiathar carried the Ark back to Jerusalem and stayed there.  We as Christians on the other hand have the Holy Spirit with us to empower us wherever we go and we  should share the gospel everywhere we are led.  Verse thirty says, And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.  David went up on the Mount of Olivet in humility and weeping and the people with him went up also.  If we find ourselves in a bad situation today, we should humbly turn to God and seek His direction.  Verse thirty-one adds, And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.  Someone told David that Ahithophel was aligned with Absalom and he prayed that Ahithophel's plans would be turned to foolishness.  We can be sure that no matter how brilliant we may be that our plans if they are not in accordance with God's will are always going to amount to foolishness.   Verse thirty-two continues, And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:  While David was on the top of the mountain, Hushai came to him in an attitude of mourning.  Matthew Henry says that while David was humbly worshipping that God sent to him the person that would be able to help him.  God will often send just the right person to us to help us in our time of trouble, but even if He doesn't, we still have the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us if we will only turn to Him.  Verse thirty-three states, Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:   David told Hushai that if he continued to follow after David that he would be a burden to him.  Though we should support our fellow believers in times of trouble, we should never become a burden to them.  Verse thirty-four adds, But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.  David told Hushai that if he returned to Jerusalem and claimed to be loyal to Absalom that he could work against the council of Ahithophel.  Sometimes we may be better able to serve God from in the midst of our enemies.  Verse thirty-five continues, And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.  David told Hushai that he could gather intelligence about Absalom and send word to him by Zadok and Abiathar.  We as Christians should always work together to bring about God's will.  Verse thirty-six states, Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.  David told Hushai that Zadok and Abiathar had their two sons with them who could bring David word of what Absalom was doing.  Verse thirty-seven adds, So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.  Hushai returned to Jerusalem and Absalom got there also.  Hushai could have been putting himself in danger, but as a friend of David's he was willing to do what David asked him to do.  We as Christians should be willing to stand by our friends in times of trouble and help them if possible, even if this puts us in a dangerous situation.