Day 152 – 2 Samuel 19:1-8
Scripture Review
2 Samuel 19:1-8
"And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom."
(2 Samuel 19:1)
Joab was told that David is grieving deeply, lamenting, and sorrowing over the death of his son. Absalom was a rebel, but he was still David's son. David's grief is understandable, but it is also public. The whole army hears about it. His sorrow becomes the atmosphere of the city.
"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."
(2 Samuel 19:2)
The victory turned into mourning. The soldiers had won the battle, preserved the kingdom, saved David's life, and stopped Absalom's rebellion. But instead of feeling honored, they feel the weight of the king's sorrow. The problem is not that David loved his son. The problem is that his grief made the people feel like their victory was wrong. This teaches me that as a leader, I must be careful with the emotional weight I might put on others.
"And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle."
(2 Samuel 19:3)
People began to slip back into the city quietly. The phrase "gat them by stealth" means they came secretly, quietly, or as if they did not want to be noticed. They should have returned like soldiers who had won a battle. Instead, they enter like defeated men. The Bible compares them to people ashamed after fleeing in battle. David's response made them feel ashamed of the very victory that saved him. Oh my how easily faithful people can be discouraged when their sacrifice is not acknowledged. People can survive hard battles better than they can survive feeling unappreciated after the battle.
"But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!"
(2 Samuel 19:4)
David covers his face and cries again loudly for Absalom. To cover the face was a sign of deep sorrow and shame. David is not hiding his grief. He is overcome by it. David is mourning Absalom loudly, but the people who saved him are hearing silence toward them. He is saying much about the son who tried to kill him, but nothing yet to the servants who protected him.
"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;"
(2 Samuel 19:5)
Joab comes to confront David. He says David has "shamed" the faces of his servants. That means David has made them feel dishonored, embarrassed, and unappreciated. Joab reminds David that these men saved his life, his sons, his daughters, his wives, and his concubines.
Joab's words are hard, but the point is serious. David is acting as if the army has done something wrong when they have actually preserved everything dear to him. The men who risked their lives needed thanks, not guilt.
"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."
(2 Samuel 19:6)
Joab's words are getting sharper. He says David is acting like he loves his enemies and hates his friends. Joab is describing how David's actions appeared. It reminds me sometimes what I feel inside and what others receive from my actions are not the same thing. Joab says David has made it look like Absalom's life mattered more than the lives of all the loyal men. That is a devastating accusation. Absalom would have killed David. The soldiers preserved David. Yet David's public grief made the loyal men feel less valued than the rebel.
"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."
(2 Samuel 19:7)
Joab gives David direct counsel to arise, go forth, and speak comfortably to thy servants. The phrase "speak comfortably" means to speak kindly, encouragingly, and to the heart. Joab is telling David to go out and strengthen the men who had stood with him. Joab warns David if he does not go out, the people may leave him that very night. Joab says not one man will remain with David if he keeps making them feel despised. I am reminded Joab's tone is rough, but he is not innocent in this whole matter. He had killed Absalom against David's command. But God can use who He nay to speak a needed truth.
"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."
(2 Samuel 19:8)
David responds. He rises and sits in the gate. He is back in the public place of leadership. I find it noble that he does not argue with Joab. He gets up and does what needs to be done. This is one of David's better moments as a leader. He is still grieving, but he accepts correction. He does not say, "I am the king, do not speak to me that way." He does not hide behind his sorrow. He rises. Then the people come before the king. The crisis begins to settle because David chose to lead again.