Day 142 – 2 Samuel 15:23-37
Scripture Review
2 Samuel 15:23-37
"And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness."
(2 Samuel 15:23)
The grief of the whole country is public. The king crosses the brook Kidron, and the people pass over with him toward the wilderness.
"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."
(2 Samuel 15:24)
The Ark reminds me of God's covenant and presence among His people. David had once learned the hard way that the Ark must be handled God's way. Zadok, Abiathar, and the Levites are coming with the Ark of the covenant of God and they set it down while all the people pass out of the city.
"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:"
(2 Samuel 15:25)
David tells Zadok to carry the Ark back into Jerusalem. David does not say, "If I have the Ark, I will surely win." He says, "if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD." David knows the Ark belongs in the city, and his future belongs in God's hands.
"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."
(2 Samuel 15:26)
David shows submission. He says if the LORD has no delight in him, then "here am I." Let the LORD do what seems good unto Him. That is a bowed heart.
"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."
(2 Samuel 15:27)
David tells Zadok to return into the city in peace with Ahimaaz and Jonathan. He sends the priests back where they can serve and where their sons can help share the word.
"See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me."
(2 Samuel 15:28)
David tells them where he will wait. He will tarry in the plain of the wilderness until word comes. That word "tarry" is not the same as David's trouble began when he tarried at Jerusalem instead of going to battle. But this tarrying is different. This is waiting with purpose for God's purpose.
"Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there."
(2 Samuel 15:29)
The Ark returns to its place, and David walks on without it. David is trusting the God of the Ark, not merely the Ark of God.
"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."
(2 Samuel 15:30)
David goes up Mount Olivet weeping, his head is covered, and he is barefoot. The people with him are also covered and weeping. He is walking like a humbled man under the weight of sorrow, deep in mourning.
This reminds me of Psalm 3, where David speaks of many rising up against him. Yet even there he says, "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." A heart after God may walk with head covered in grief, but it still knows the LORD can lift the head again.
"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."
(2 Samuel 15:31)
The news comes that Ahithophel, David's trusted counsellor, has joined Absalom. He does not first argue, panic, or curse. He prays: "O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness."
"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:"
(2 Samuel 15:32)
David reachs the top of the mount, and the Bible says this was where he worshipped God. That is beautiful to me. He is fleeing, weeping, and grieving, but he is still worshipping. Then Hushai comes to meet him as a friend sharing his sorrow.
"Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:"
(2 Samuel 15:33)
David tells Hushai, If he travels with him, he will be a burden. Daivd is saying Hushai can help more by returning to Jerusalem than by walking beside him in the wilderness.
"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."
(2 Samuel 15:34)
David is sending Hushai back with a purpose. He is to enter the city, present himself to Absalom, and work to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. David has already prayed that Ahithophel's counsel would be turned into foolishness. Now he acts wisely by placing Hushai where he can be part of the answer.
"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."
(2 Samuel 15:35)
David reminds Hushai that Zadok and Abiathar are in the city. He is setting up a faithful line of communication.
"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."
(2 Samuel 15:36)
David is sharing his strategy. Ahimaaz and Jonathan will carry word from the priests to David. He has sent back the Ark, stationed the priests, placed Hushai in the city, and arranged messengers.
"So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem."
(2 Samuel 15:37)
Hushai enters the city just as Absalom comes into Jerusalem. David has left the city, but the LORD has not left David without help. A heart after God may be driven out for a season, but God can still place faithful friends in important places.