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.