Bringing The King Back

Bringing the King Back 2 Sam. 19

Just to bring a little light of history to this passage…

Absalom, David’s son had done his best to destroy his father, securing the Kingdom and killing all those who were on David’s side.

And so David had to fight against his own flesh and blood, his very own son…

And when word finally came of Absalom’s death, instead of victory, there was mourning.

And this brings us to Ch. 19

9 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.

10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?

11 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.

12 Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?

13 And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.

15 So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.

What a great disappointment it was to them to find the king in tears for Absalom’s death, which they construed as a token of displeasure against them for what they had done, whereas they expected him to have met them with joy and thanks for their good services:

It was told to Joab, and also the report of it ran through the army how the king was grieved for his son.

-People will take particular notice what their leaders say and do. The more eyes we have upon us, and the greater our influence is, the more need we have to speak and act wisely and to govern our passions strictly.

But David behaved unwisely here in venting his passion for such the likes of the very one that tried to kill him…

AND David’s people saw this, and they loathed David for it.

Their victory was turned into mourning, and they stole into the city as men that were ashamed.

And so Joab rebukes David… "Thou hast shamed their faces; for, while they have shown such a value for thy life, thou hast shown no value for theirs, but preferrest a spoiled wicked youth, a false traitor to his king and country, whom we are happily rid of, before all thy wise counsellors, brave commanders, and loyal subjects. What can be more absurd than to love thy enemies and hate thy friends?"

Then Joab instructs David on what he needs to do…

He advises him to present himself immediately at the head of his troops, to smile upon them, welcome them home, congratulate their success, and return them thanks for their services.

And so he does. And begins to win Israel’s heart back.

But in our text here, there is a question that is asked that not only demands an answer, but also demands action to that question.

11 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house?

There are 3 things I want you to notice this morning about this setting:

1. the King had been absent for some time

Now listen… he was not absent because he had left

voluntarily

He was absent because HE HAD BEEN FORCED TO LEAVE.

Loyalty to this King had been lost to another leader, Absolom.

Adoration for this King had been changed to another

Faithfulness to this King had now become faithlessness.

Understand, It was not David’s desire and choosing to leave… he left because he was forced to leave.

His subjects had rebelled against him.

They changed their love for another

They thought the grass was greener on the other side.

They thought they were getting a better deal with Absalom… more attention, more caring

They would get to sing more at Absalom’s church

They would get to be used more at Ab’s church