Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, "Today you have covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who today have saved your life, and the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines." (verse 5)
Message: David Returns to Jerusalem
Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader.
What the Lord is Saying: The battle has been completed with Absalom and his people and Israel can return to being a nation completely now under the kingship of David. And yet the beginning of this chapter continues a theme of transition. In chapter 18 Absalom's army was defeated, Absalom was killed and then this news is brought to David. It was a process in determining how to bring the news to David, but eventually Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, one of the high priests and a swift messenger brought the news to David and also a Cushite which is probably an Ethiopian. The news came and at the end of chapter 18 David is in great grief.
Chapter 19 begins with the words "Then it was told, "Behold, the king is weeping and mourns for Absalom." Mourning is not bad and grieving is not bad. It is a part of the process of a person's death. But with Absalom there was something more as David is conflicted between justice and mercy. And this grief was known in his kingdom by the people. But in verse 3 it mentions an issue because generally as people returned from battle they were excited and joyful but with David's mourning it overshadowed their military success.
Joab in verse 5 speaks to David and tells him he has done a disservice in being all about this mourning and forgets his people and brings shame upon them for being all consumed in grief and missing out on the the joy of battle.
This immediately in some way reminds me of my dad and the aftermath of my mom. He is so absorbed in his own grief, there is sometimes an absence or an inability to celebrate the life of my mom and the fact that we believe she is in heaven united with God. His grief is so huge and intense and constantly resurfacing and present that even speaking of my mom and any joy we had with her sends him into more grief. He can only at times see what he is missing and not who she was.
Through Joab, David needs to realign his priorities and realize that he needs to appreciate the loyalty of his followers. In verse 7 Joab says, "Now, therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants..." Joab tells David there is urgency in this because he is risking losing the allegiance of his people for good. In verse 8 therefore David sits at the gate and the gate being a central point for legal matters and announcements meant David was sitting himself before his people as their leader.
There are still some of Israel that had moved their allegiance to Absalom. And thus there are words which David appeals to the elders of Judah in establishing his place as king over all the people. David appeals to Amasa, whom Absalom had chosen to be over his army, to now replace Joab as the leader of the army.
In verse 15, David returns to Jerusalem going across the Jordan. He will return now to restore order to his kingdom. The men from the tribe of Benjamin come down to meet David including Shimei who had previously cursed David. This speaks to previous foes seeing that the king has been established and the people will now surrender to him.
Summary: Joab encourages David to not just give but show his people they are important and to gain acceptance he appoints Amasa as commander of his army.
Promise: Show appreciation for those who assist us.
Prayer: Lord, I am reminded here of the importance of not becoming so self-absorbed that I forget what is going on around me. Safeguard me in this Lord. Help my father to appreciate and celebrate my mom. Help us Lord to agree with the leaders you have appointed and support them even when they are not my first choice. Help me to get behind them.
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