2 Samuel 19

CHAPTER 19THEME: David is restored to the throne

2 Samuel 19:1

JOAB REPROVES DAVIDThe news of Absalom’s death was a real heartbreak to David. He had a tender love for his son, and he was extremely grieved when the boy died. Why? There are several reasons. First of all, I do not think that David was sure about the salvation of Absalom. You will recall that when David’s first son by Bathsheba was born, he became very sick, and David fasted and prayed for him.

When David heard that the little boy was dead, he arose, bathed, went to the house of God to worship, and then was ready for a good dinner. His servants could not understand his action. He made it very clear to them when he said, “I am going to him some day. He will not return to me, but it will be a great day when I go to him.” He knew where the little fellow was. When Absalom died, however, David’s heart broke. Why?

He was not sure of the young man’s salvation; he was not sure where his son was. Frankly, I believe that David felt his son was not saved, and that is why he was so stricken with grief. Also, even though David was a great king, he was a poor father; I am sure David realized this. He never quite succeeded in being the father he should have been, and Absalom was evidence of this failure. David also recognized that trouble had come upon him because of the sin he had committed. God had told him that strife would never depart from his house because of it. That is exactly what happened, and from the time of Absalom’s death I believe David was a broken man. I think part of his grief was due to his disappointment. He had really hoped that Absalom would succeed him to the throne. He did not like the idea of Absalom rebelling against him, but he did want him to be the next king. David’s grief was such that even Joab was disturbed by it and rebuked David for it. It should have been a great day of victory and a day of rejoicing, because the enemy was defeated. For David, however, it was not a victory at all. Instead, it was a time of grief and sorrow beyond expression.

2 Samuel 19:3

David’s army should have been rejoicing because they had won the battle. Instead they left the battlefield after the victory and retreated to Jerusalem as if they had been defeated. Why? Because Absalom was slain and it had broken the heart of David.

2 Samuel 19:4

My, how David loved this boy! What a tender expression this is. David had been such a poor fatherhe had handled things so badlybut he loved his son and was broken by his death. Now Joab was responsible for Absalom’s death. I am not sure that David ever really comprehended just how his son died. I am sure that he heard quite a few stories relating how it occurred, but David probably did not want to pursue it too far.

2 Samuel 19:5

Of course Joab is pushing this situation to the opposite extreme, but certainly David would have preferred others dying rather than Absalom; that is quite evident. Joab rebukes David because he is so grieved about the death of his son who had become his enemy and who would have killed David given the opportunity.

2 Samuel 19:8

DAVID IS RESTORED TO THE THRONEThe people needed some rallying point now. Everyone was depressed. It was a bad state of affairs: the man who had led the rebellion had been slain but, instead of rejoicing, the people witnessed the greatest grief that David ever expressed. However, after Joab talked to the king, David went up to the gate to let his men know that he deeply appreciated their loyalty to him.

2 Samuel 19:9

What happened was simply this: there were those who had gone over to Absalom’s side and now that he was dead, they didn’t know what to do. They decided that the best thing was to bring the king back.

2 Samuel 19:11

Apparently, even in the tribe of Judah, there had been a great defection to Absalom’s side. Now David rebukes them for their action.

2 Samuel 19:12

There was a unanimous desire to return David to his throne.

2 Samuel 19:15

Shimei had cursed David when he went out. Now he wants to be the first one to welcome the king back.

2 Samuel 19:18

David was a generous fellow. He was a man who could forgive.

2 Samuel 19:22

David is saying, “Why should I pay attention to this fellow? I know I am the king of Israel.” David is satisfied that God has restored him to this position. “Why should I worry about a little fellow like Shimei? Why should I put him to death? What he thinks doesn’t amount to anything.” There are many Christians today who let little things bother them. They let little people bother them, and they should not. Is God blessing you, my friend? Perhaps you are a discouraged pastor. Are you having trouble with your board of deacons? Are you having problems with a troublemaker? My friend, forget it. You are serving God. God is on your side. Live above that small irritation and serve the Lordmake sure that is what you are doing. Forget about the other things; we need to live above them.

2 Samuel 19:23

David’s final decision concerning Shimei was that he did not intend to punish him. In fact, David did not intend to deal with this man in any way.

2 Samuel 19:24

Mephibosheth, in deep appreciation to David, would not join in the rebellion. He remained loyal to David, and during all this time he fasted and prayed for the king. It is wonderful to have friends like that, is it not?

2 Samuel 19:25

Mephibosheth tells David, “If you think I have betrayed you, then do to me as you please. I have no right to ask any other favor of you at all.”

2 Samuel 19:29

This, I feel, proves Mephibosheth’s sincerity.

2 Samuel 19:31

Barzillai the Gileadite was a patriarch from another nation who had been generous to David and had given him sustenance during the rebellion. Now David wanted this man to go back to Jerusalem with him so he could reward him for his generosity.

2 Samuel 19:33

Barzillai said to David, “I have not many more years. I have had my threescore and ten, and ten more. I know my days are numbered, and I would just as soon stay home. I appreciate your generous offer of going and living in a palace, but I have reached the age where things like that do not tempt me at all.”

2 Samuel 19:35

Barzillai continues, “I am an old man. I can’t hear the music anymore. Food does not taste like it once did. I don’t want to come and mar the party. I don’t want to be the one to slow down the king and his enjoyment.”

2 Samuel 19:36

Barzillai helped David because he knew David was God’s man. He had confidence in the king. This was his motivation to assist David. It is too bad that David had not been a little more forgiving with his own son. When Absalom sinned and came back, it might have been different if he had completely forgiven the boy. If he had received him like the father received the Prodigal Son by putting his arms around him, placing a robe on him, and killing the calf for a feast, I believe David would have spared himself the awful rebellion which took place.