Joab rebukes David and loses his job

2 Samuel Chapter 19

King David was overcome with emotion from hearing of his son's death. Word reached Joab of David's mourning for Absalom. The troops heard of the king's deep grief and crept back into the city as if they had been beaten in battle. So Joab went to the king and told him that the army had saved him, his whole family, yet the king acted like the army should be ashamed. He told David that if Absalom had lived, all the army would be dead. And he asked David to go out and congratulate the troops because if he did not, then not a single man would remain. So David went out and sat at the city gate and word spread that he was there and everyone went to him.

Meanwhile the Israelites who had supported Absalom fled their homes. And there was much discussion among the tribes, but the people said that David saved them from the Philistines and Absalom was dead, so they decided to ask David to come back and be king again.

David asked Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, to tell the leaders of Judah that they were the last to reinstate the king and that they were the only ones holding out. He reminded the people of Judah that they were his relatives, his own tribe and he was angry. David appointed Amasa as his commander instead of Joab. Then Amasa convinced the leaders of Judah to welcome David back as king.

So king David returned to Jerusalem and as he and his household crossed the Jordan River, Shimei the man from Bahurim, begged David's forgiveness for his sin when David left Jerusalem. Abishai told David that Shimei should die. But David was elated at becoming king again and he spared Shimei's life.

From Jerusalem, Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, arrived to meet the king. He arrived with unwashed feet or clothes and untrimmed beard which was the condition he remained in since the day the king left. David asked him why he did not come along when David left the city and Mephibosheth replied that his servant Ziba deceived him. He had askd Ziba to saddle his donkey (Mephibosheth was crippled), but instead Ziba slandered him by saying Mephibosheth refused to come.
David made a decision to divide the land between Mephibosheth and Ziba. But Mephibosheth said, "Give it all to him. I am content just to have you back, my lord!"

Barzillai of Gilead arrived to help the king and his party across the Jordan. He was a very old man, wealthy and had provided food for the king during his stay in Mahanaim. King David offered to take care of the old man if he would live in Jerusalem. But the old man refused stating he was too old to enjoy food and wine and would be a burden to the king. Instead he said that accompanying David across the river was all the honor he needed. He offered his son Kimham to go with the king and David agreed and would give Kimham every comfort in Jerusalem.

Now the men of Israel complained that the men of Judah got to do most of the work in helping David cross the river. The men of Judah said, "Why not? He is one of our own tribe. Why should you be angry? He has not fed us or given us gifts."

"But there are ten tribes in Israel," the other replied. "Remember we were the first to speak of bringing him back to be our king again." The argument continued and the men of Judah were harsh in their replies.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Joab took a chance risking the king's displeasure by confronting him about the army's morale. But he probably feared even greater consequences if the troops were not commended for their victory.

David's appointment of Amasa was a shrewd political move. Amasa had been commander of Absalom's army and so by making him his commander, David secured the allegiance of the rebel army. Also by replacing Joab, David punishedhim for his crimes. And lastly, Amasa held great influence over the leaders of Judah.

David showed mercy and generosity on his way to Jerusalem. He spared Shimei, restored Mephibosheth and rewarded Barzillai. David could not be certain if Mephibosheth or Ziba was in the right and even scripture leaves the question unanswered.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Crowds are easy swayed, even in today's times. Crowds are fickle. Imagine a people backing one king and when he dies, they backed the old king. Politics is that way too. How do you know when to follow the crowd? There must be a higher moral code to follow than just the pleasure of the majority. Follow the moral principles given in God's Word to help you. God's Word can help you avoid being swayed by the popular opinions of the crowd. Look for fairness. Look for standards that are based on what is right. Look for God to guide us.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Update on Lori: she sheds her back brace soon and can drive. She thanks God for healing her. Please continue to pray for her during recovery. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home from the hospital and having rehab for the paralysis on one side of her body. Continue to pray for her recovery.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She has shed the feeding tube and is taking formula on her own! But breathing problems are still with her, though improving all the time. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. She has been moved to a St. Louis hospital.
Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake,those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.