In 2 Samuel 16-18, as David was forced to flee Jerusalem, he met people on the road who showed their loyalty or disdain. In Chapter 16, he meets Ziba who brought provisions for the men. Ziba was Mephibosheth’s servant. Then he met Shimei, who cursed him. Shimei was a Benjaminite and Saul supporter.
Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem, Absalom’s advisor, Ahithophel, advised him to sleep with David’s 10 Concubines. Then Absalom was tricked into taking bad advice from Hushai, David’s spy, which gave David and his men time to cross over the Jordan. When Ahithophel heard that Absalom took Hushai’s advice over his, he committed suicide,
In 2 Samuel 18, the battle began. Absalom pursued David across the Jordan. David rallied troops and sent them off, but not before begging them to be gentle with his son, Absalom. David’s troops routed Absalom’s. Absalom got caught by his hair in a tree, and Joab killed him.
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David, the king with such a big heart, is bereft. With this death, our story comes full circle. David began in 2 Samuel mourning the death of Saul. A man he loved. A man who was trying to kill him. The man he had to take the kingdom from. David is back where he started, mourning the death of Absalom. A man he loved. A man who was trying to kill him. The man he had to take the kingdom from.
Being king is painful, and David would rather die himself than experience this pain for his son. His grief was made all the more painful because of his deep conviction that it was his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah that brought about Absalom’s rebellion. His pain consumes him, and his despondency is made public.
Scene 1: David’s Heart is Torn
Scene 2: Joab Rebukes David
In Scene 3: The Israelites are Confused
Scene 4: On the Road to Return
Scene 5: The Cross Over Conflict
In Scene 6: Another Troublemaker Tries to Takeover
Scene 7: David Provides for the 10 Concumbines
The author of this article is Hayley Mowatt, producer of Bible Book Club podcast.
