(15)
2 Samuel 2—24
(9)
2 Samuel 12:15b—20:26
(3)
Scripture Reading: 2 Sam. 19:8-43; 20:1-26
In this message we will consider 19:8b—20:26.
Second Samuel 19:8b-43 describes the peaceful settlements in David's kingdom after Absalom's revolt.
In verses 8b through 15 we have the people's request for David's return to the kingship.
The people debated throughout all the tribes, and this debate resulted in the request for David to return to his kingship (vv. 8b-10).
David asked the high priests and the captain of the army to persuade the people of Judah to bring King David back to his place (vv. 11-15). He sent word to Zadok and Abiathar, saying, "Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, seeing that the word of all Israel has come to the king at his house? You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring the king back?" (vv. 11-12).
Verses 16 through 23 are concerned with the temporary forgiveness of Shimei.
First, we have Shimei's repentance and welcome of David (vv. 16-20). Shimei said to the king, "Let not my lord consider me guilty; and do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king went forth from Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart. For your servant knows that I have sinned; and I have come today, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down, to meet my lord the king" (vv. 19-20).
Abishai the captain of David declared that Shimei should be put to death for cursing Jehovah's anointed (v. 21). But David said to Abishai, "Should any man in Israel be put to death today? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?" (v. 22). Then the king swore to Shimei that he would not die (v. 23).
In verses 24 through 30 we see David's kind and fair arrangement for Mephibosheth. After Mephibosheth's vindication, David said that Mephibosheth and Ziba, his servant, would share the land.
In verses 31 through 39 there is an account of David's reward to Barzillai.
Barzillai, a very great man, had provided food to David and escorted him in crossing over the Jordan on the way back to his palace (vv. 31-32).
David invited Barzillai to go with him and promised to take care of him in his old age in Jerusalem, but Barzillai turned David's reward from himself to his son Chimham (vv. 33-39). In reply to Barzillai's request, David said, "Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do with him what seems good in your sight; and whatever you wish for me to do, I will do for you" (v. 38).
The men of Israel asked David why the men of Judah had stolen him away and brought him and his household over the Jordan along with the men of David (v. 41). Israel also claimed that they had ten parts in the king and that in David they had more than Judah (v. 43a).
Judah claimed more prevailingly that David was near of kin to them and that they had not eaten at all at David's expense and that David had not given them any gift (vv. 42, 43b). The claims of Israel and Judah show that the whole people warmly welcomed David in his returning to his kingship.
Second Samuel 20:1-22 is concerned with the rebellion of Sheba.
Sheba, a man of Belial (2 Cor. 6:15), a Benjaminite, blew the trumpet and said, "We have no portion in David,/Nor do we have an inheritance in the son of Jesse./Every man to his tents, O Israel!" (2 Sam. 20:1).
All the men of Israel left David and followed Sheba, but the men of Judah clung to their king, from the Jordan to Jerusalem (v. 2).
David shut up the ten concubines defiled by his son Absalom until their death (v. 3).
David charged Amasa to call the men of Judah to David in three days (v. 4). Amasa went out to call the men of Judah, but he delayed beyond the time that David appointed to him (v. 5).
In verses 6 through 22 we have David's charge to Abishai to pursue after Sheba. David told Abishai that Sheba would do them more harm than Absalom did (v. 6).
The men of Joab went out after Abishai, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, to pursue after Sheba (v. 7).
Verses 8 through 13 speak of Joab's killing of Amasa. Amasa came to meet Joab and his followers, and Joab struck Amasa in his stomach with a sword and poured out his bowels onto the ground (vv. 8-10a). Then all the people turned to follow Joab and his brother Abishai to pursue after Sheba the rebel (vv. 10b-13).
Sheba went on throughout all the tribes of Israel, and the people gathered together and went after him (v. 14).
Joab went to besiege Sheba at Abel of Beth-maacah, casting up a siege mound against the city (v 15). A wise woman offered to Joab a way to kill Sheba, and Sheba was slain (vv. 16-22a). Joab then blew the trumpet to disperse the people from the city and returned to Jerusalem to David the king (v. 22b).
Verses 23 through 26 describe the re-establishment of the kingdom of David. Joab ruled over all the army of Israel (v. 23a); Benaiah the son of Jehoiada ruled over the Cherethites and the Pelethites (v. 23b); and Adoram ruled over the forced labor (v. 24a). Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder (v. 24b); Sheva was the scribe (v. 25a); Zadok and Abiathar were the high priests (v. 25b); and Ira the Jairite was an adviser to David (v. 26).
