2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.” 3 And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. (2 Samuel 19:2-3)
Grief that is fundamentally based on disbelief and self-indulgence is known as "excessive mourning." In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul warned Christians: “I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” It is improper for Christians to grieve in times of death or disaster in the same way as people who have no trust in God, nevertheless, some Christians do this.
in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. (2 Samuel 19:6)
Love your enemies but don’t hate your friends. This can be true for we can highly respect our enemies and yet take for granted those who are our friends and loved ones.
in that, you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well. (2 Samuel 19:6)
It was a shape wake-up call given by Joab but it was a much-needed one. Joab was essentially saying, “David, your excessive mourning is selfish. It isn’t all about you. These devoted, sacrificial supporters of yours deserve to feel good about their victory and you are making them feel terrible. Get a grip on yourself.”
Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants: "Go out and encourage the team - they deserve it. If you don't you will lose most of them." (2 Samuel 19:7)
Followers need the encouragement of the leader
Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told all the people, saying, “There is the king, sitting in the gate.” So all the people came before the king. (2 Samuel 19:8)
David didn't feel like doing this. His feelings probably told him to stay locked into his excessive mourning. Our understanding of what is right must move us out of the trap of feelings and David did just that.
So all the people came before the king: (2 Samuel 19:8)
This is what they needed to see - David sitting as king in the place of authority (sitting in the gate). This told them that their sacrifice was worth it, that it was appreciated, and that David would continue to reign. Joab's rebuke worked because Joab cared enough to say it, and David was wise enough to receive it.
22 And David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?” 23 Therefore the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore to him. (2 Samuel 19:22-23)
Towards the end of David’s life why did David ask Solomon to judge Joab and Shimei (1 king 2 vs 5 and 8) ? I thought he had forgiven both of them?
To begin with, it must be emphasised that David was not a vindictive person. As a man of God, David did have the capacity to forgive those who offended him, and who did wrong to him. There were probably many people that David forgave, e.g. King Saul, for pursuing him in the wilderness (1 Samuel 26:11,18-21), and Absalom, for attempting to take over his reign by force (2 Samuel 18:32,33). However, there were certain offences that were committed not only against David personally, but which constitute rebellion or treason against his rightful authority as King of Israel. In such cases, David’s judgment was no longer a personal act of unforgiving vengeance, but a righteous act of protecting the integrity of his God-given authority as king over God’s people.
Joab’s judgment was due to him for his evil murdering of two generals, Abner (2 Samuel 3:27) and Amasa (2 Samuel 20:10), in times of peace. Joab slew Abner to take revenge on him for killing his brother, Asahel, in battle (2 Samuel 2:22,23). But in doing this, Joab had broken the safe-conduct that King David had promised to Abner when Abner came to see him in Hebron (2 Samuel 3:20,21) and thus damaged the King’s integrity. Joab slew Amasa (his own cousin, 1 Chronicles 2:16,17) because he was jealous that King David had put Amasa in command of the armies of Israel instead of him when dealing with Sheba’s rebellion.
Joab was clearly a dangerous man in David’s ranks, but he also happened to be David’s nephew (1 Chronicles 2:13-16) and a brave soldier who had also served David loyally and faithfully as a military general (1 Chronicles 27:34) and won many battles for him. Thus David did not give Joab the judgment he deserved for his crimes, and the most that he ever did against Joab was to curse him (2 Samuel 3:29). This inaction does not mean that David had acquitted Joab. It only means that he had deferred Joab’s judgment.
When David’s reign was coming to an end, Joab showed his true colours by taking sides with Adonijah, who was not David’s nor God’s choice to be the next king of Israel (1 Kings 1:5-7). Although Adonijah’s attempt to take the throne did not succeed, Joab had clearly shown that he could not be trusted. Perceiving that Joab would be a threat to Solomon’s reign, David gave Solomon the instruction to act wisely against Joab in 1 Kings 2:5, by giving him his long-delayed judgment (1 Kings 2:31-33)
As for Shimei, he was a relative of King Saul, and he had a personal grudge against David for taking away the kingdom away from Saul. At the time that Absalom rebelled against King David, and David had to flee to the east, Shimei, thinking that David was now being judged for what he had done to Saul, came out to publicly curse and insult David (2 Samuel 16:5-8) in the sight of all the Israelites who were with David. David did not react against this act of high treason, even though he could have done so. Without justifying Shimei’s act, he saw it as being allowed by God for a divine purpose (2 Samuel 16:11,12).
However when Absalom died in battle and David returned back to Jerusalem victorious, Shimei quickly came to apologise to David and begged him to spare his life (2 Samuel 19:16-20). Although David could have justifiably sentenced him to die, he chose not to do so, not because he forgave Shimei, but because he did not want his return to kingship (and the joyous mood of the people) to be marred by Shimei’s death (2 Samuel 19:22,23). Besides, Shimei had brought a thousand Benjamite tribesmen with him to meet David and welcome him back to Jerusalem. It would have been grossly inappropriate for David to slay the leader of this welcoming party! David, therefore, acceded to Shimei’s request and swore not to kill him.
However, David knew that Shimei’s apology was insincere, and that he had only made it out of selfish fear for his own life. Deep in his heart, Shimei still resented David for taking away Saul’s reign (Actually it was God who gave David Saul’s kingdom). Such disguised disloyalty in a person would naturally make him a threat to King Solomon’s reign. Shimei would probably turn against Solomon if the opportunity ever presented itself. Since Solomon was not bound by David’s oath to spare Shimei’s life, he was able to give him the judgment he deserved.
Although Solomon was given the charge to deal with Shimei, he acted wisely by testing Shimei’s loyalty first. He only meted out judgment to him when Shimei failed the test (1 Kings 2:36-46).
What happened to Joab and Shimei offers a good lesson to all of us. God’s judgment against unrepentant sinners may be defered but never denied. Perhaps if Joab had truly repented of his sins and shown himself to be truly loyal to David, David might not have instructed Solomon to take his life.
As for Shimei, his "repentance" was only superficial and only to preserve himself. True repentance for our sins should stem from selfless and full agreement with God about the horror of our sins and what they deserve. Perhaps if Shimei had repented and come to David before Absalom’s death instead of after, things would have been quite different for him.
Now Barzillai….was a very rich man (2 Samuel 19:32)
Barzillai was a man of great resources – and he wisely used those resources to support the servant of God and the cause of God. In Luke 12:21, Jesus spoke of the foolish man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Barzillai was wise enough to use his resources to lay up treasure in heaven and he was rich toward God.
Grief that is fundamentally based on disbelief and self-indulgence is known as "excessive mourning." In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul warned Christians: “I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” It is improper for Christians to grieve in times of death or disaster in the same way as people who have no trust in God, nevertheless, some Christians do this.
in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. (2 Samuel 19:6)
Love your enemies but don’t hate your friends. This can be true for we can highly respect our enemies and yet take for granted those who are our friends and loved ones.
in that, you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well. (2 Samuel 19:6)
It was a shape wake-up call given by Joab but it was a much-needed one. Joab was essentially saying, “David, your excessive mourning is selfish. It isn’t all about you. These devoted, sacrificial supporters of yours deserve to feel good about their victory and you are making them feel terrible. Get a grip on yourself.”
Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants: "Go out and encourage the team - they deserve it. If you don't you will lose most of them." (2 Samuel 19:7)
Followers need the encouragement of the leader
Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told all the people, saying, “There is the king, sitting in the gate.” So all the people came before the king. (2 Samuel 19:8)
David didn't feel like doing this. His feelings probably told him to stay locked into his excessive mourning. Our understanding of what is right must move us out of the trap of feelings and David did just that.
So all the people came before the king: (2 Samuel 19:8)
This is what they needed to see - David sitting as king in the place of authority (sitting in the gate). This told them that their sacrifice was worth it, that it was appreciated, and that David would continue to reign. Joab's rebuke worked because Joab cared enough to say it, and David was wise enough to receive it.
22 And David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?” 23 Therefore the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore to him. (2 Samuel 19:22-23)
Towards the end of David’s life why did David ask Solomon to judge Joab and Shimei (1 king 2 vs 5 and 8) ? I thought he had forgiven both of them?
To begin with, it must be emphasised that David was not a vindictive person. As a man of God, David did have the capacity to forgive those who offended him, and who did wrong to him. There were probably many people that David forgave, e.g. King Saul, for pursuing him in the wilderness (1 Samuel 26:11,18-21), and Absalom, for attempting to take over his reign by force (2 Samuel 18:32,33). However, there were certain offences that were committed not only against David personally, but which constitute rebellion or treason against his rightful authority as King of Israel. In such cases, David’s judgment was no longer a personal act of unforgiving vengeance, but a righteous act of protecting the integrity of his God-given authority as king over God’s people.
Joab’s judgment was due to him for his evil murdering of two generals, Abner (2 Samuel 3:27) and Amasa (2 Samuel 20:10), in times of peace. Joab slew Abner to take revenge on him for killing his brother, Asahel, in battle (2 Samuel 2:22,23). But in doing this, Joab had broken the safe-conduct that King David had promised to Abner when Abner came to see him in Hebron (2 Samuel 3:20,21) and thus damaged the King’s integrity. Joab slew Amasa (his own cousin, 1 Chronicles 2:16,17) because he was jealous that King David had put Amasa in command of the armies of Israel instead of him when dealing with Sheba’s rebellion.
Joab was clearly a dangerous man in David’s ranks, but he also happened to be David’s nephew (1 Chronicles 2:13-16) and a brave soldier who had also served David loyally and faithfully as a military general (1 Chronicles 27:34) and won many battles for him. Thus David did not give Joab the judgment he deserved for his crimes, and the most that he ever did against Joab was to curse him (2 Samuel 3:29). This inaction does not mean that David had acquitted Joab. It only means that he had deferred Joab’s judgment.
When David’s reign was coming to an end, Joab showed his true colours by taking sides with Adonijah, who was not David’s nor God’s choice to be the next king of Israel (1 Kings 1:5-7). Although Adonijah’s attempt to take the throne did not succeed, Joab had clearly shown that he could not be trusted. Perceiving that Joab would be a threat to Solomon’s reign, David gave Solomon the instruction to act wisely against Joab in 1 Kings 2:5, by giving him his long-delayed judgment (1 Kings 2:31-33)
As for Shimei, he was a relative of King Saul, and he had a personal grudge against David for taking away the kingdom away from Saul. At the time that Absalom rebelled against King David, and David had to flee to the east, Shimei, thinking that David was now being judged for what he had done to Saul, came out to publicly curse and insult David (2 Samuel 16:5-8) in the sight of all the Israelites who were with David. David did not react against this act of high treason, even though he could have done so. Without justifying Shimei’s act, he saw it as being allowed by God for a divine purpose (2 Samuel 16:11,12).
However when Absalom died in battle and David returned back to Jerusalem victorious, Shimei quickly came to apologise to David and begged him to spare his life (2 Samuel 19:16-20). Although David could have justifiably sentenced him to die, he chose not to do so, not because he forgave Shimei, but because he did not want his return to kingship (and the joyous mood of the people) to be marred by Shimei’s death (2 Samuel 19:22,23). Besides, Shimei had brought a thousand Benjamite tribesmen with him to meet David and welcome him back to Jerusalem. It would have been grossly inappropriate for David to slay the leader of this welcoming party! David, therefore, acceded to Shimei’s request and swore not to kill him.
However, David knew that Shimei’s apology was insincere, and that he had only made it out of selfish fear for his own life. Deep in his heart, Shimei still resented David for taking away Saul’s reign (Actually it was God who gave David Saul’s kingdom). Such disguised disloyalty in a person would naturally make him a threat to King Solomon’s reign. Shimei would probably turn against Solomon if the opportunity ever presented itself. Since Solomon was not bound by David’s oath to spare Shimei’s life, he was able to give him the judgment he deserved.
Although Solomon was given the charge to deal with Shimei, he acted wisely by testing Shimei’s loyalty first. He only meted out judgment to him when Shimei failed the test (1 Kings 2:36-46).
What happened to Joab and Shimei offers a good lesson to all of us. God’s judgment against unrepentant sinners may be defered but never denied. Perhaps if Joab had truly repented of his sins and shown himself to be truly loyal to David, David might not have instructed Solomon to take his life.
As for Shimei, his "repentance" was only superficial and only to preserve himself. True repentance for our sins should stem from selfless and full agreement with God about the horror of our sins and what they deserve. Perhaps if Shimei had repented and come to David before Absalom’s death instead of after, things would have been quite different for him.
Now Barzillai….was a very rich man (2 Samuel 19:32)
Barzillai was a man of great resources – and he wisely used those resources to support the servant of God and the cause of God. In Luke 12:21, Jesus spoke of the foolish man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Barzillai was wise enough to use his resources to lay up treasure in heaven and he was rich toward God.
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