2 Samuel 15-17
2 Samuel 15-17; Psalms 3, 23, 64, 69
We often think that David’s most difficult days were when He was on the run from Saul (cf. 1 Sam 18-31). Yet, even after he was anointed king over all Israel (cf. 2 Sam 5), he faced many challenges—perhaps none greater than when his own son attempted a coup and had relations with his concubines before all Israel. The LORD did not allow the king’s sin with Bathsheba to go unchecked (cf. 2 Sam 12.10-12). However, even in the midst of these very dark scenes, David was sustained by the LORD’s covenant faithfulness—as recorded in some of the most beautiful poetry of the Old Testament.
In time Absalom revolted against his father, stealing the hearts of the men of Israel by rendering judgments—an official task thought serviceable only by those appointed to the task—at the gate of Jerusalem (15.1-12). This was a direct affront to David’s reign; Absalom even told those seeking justice, “the king does not have anyone to listen to you…If only someone would appoint me judge in the land” (15.3-4). In time, when Absalom thought his strength sufficient to take the throne by force, he pronounced himself king in Hebron—even misleading those who knew nothing of his intentions (15.9-12).
When David heard of Absalom’s plans, he immediately went into a defensive mode, saying to his servants in Jerusalem, “Get up. We have to flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! Leave quickly, or he will overtake us, heap disaster on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword” (15.14). The remainder of ch 15 records David’s lament and departure from Jerusalem (15.13-37). Especially concerning to the king was the fact that a key advisor, Ahithophel, had defected to Absalom (15.12, 31). To counter his alliance with Absalom, David sent Hushai, his personal adviser, to Jerusalem so that he could counter what Ahithophel counseled Absalom (15.32-37). In time the LORD answered David’s prayer that the counsel of Ahithophel was turned into foolishness (15.31); the latter was so depressed when his advice was rejected that he soon took his own life (cf. 17.23). The bulk of the text describes how Absalom took Hushai’s advice, news of which was passed to David and may have saved the king’s life (16.15-17.14). During this difficult season David confessed, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the LORD sustains me. I am not afraid of the thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side” (Ps 3.5-6). Yet his confidence was not without complaint; he cried out: “God, hear my voice when I complain. Protect my life from the terror of the enemy. Hide me from the scheming of the wicked” (Ps 64.1-2). Indeed, though David’s situation was dire to the degree that he could lament, “Those who sit at the city gate talk about me, and drunkards make up songs about me” (Ps 69.12), his feet were firmly planted in covenant faithfulness, and he proclaimed: “But as for me, LORD, my prayer to You is for a time of favor. In your abundant, faithful love, God, answer me with Your sure salvation” (Ps 69.13).
While much of David’s flight from Absalom was a dreadful struggle for survival, at two key junctions the LORD provided aid for the king. In the first instance, Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, brought supplies to support the king’s band as they camped in the desert (16.1-4). Later—after David had been informed that Absalom heeded Hushai’s advice—three men, Shobi of the Ammonites, Machir from Lo-debar, and Barzillai from Rogelim, “brought beds, basins, and pottery items. They also brought wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and the people with him to eat” (16.28-29). This provision may have prompted David to confess to the LORD, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (cf. Ps 23.5).
It may be that for David the threat of Absalom surpassed that of Saul. Despite the difficulties of these days of David’s life, the king was not permanently removed from his place of leadership in Israel. The LORD sustained King David and provided for him because of the covenant He had made with him—a covenant that would be fulfilled in the immediate by Solomon, and finally by Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Sam 7; Lk 1.30-33). The fact that the life of King David serves as a rubric for understanding the life of Jesus Christ points up the storyline aspect of Scripture, the unity and diversity of old and new. As these chapters of 2 Samuel record, David’s life was paradoxical: he was a powerful king, and yet he suffered greatly. While this was so primarily because of his sin with Bathsheba (cf. 2 Sam 12.10-12), it does set the stage for understanding the paradox of Jesus; He was not only a king, He was the King—and yet he, although completely innocent, suffered in far greater measure than David. These factors of greatness and yet suffering help to establish the parallel of David during periods of suffering, and Jesus on the cross; Ps 69 records David’s cry for deliverance from his enemies, where he wrote:
“You know the insults I endure—my shame and disgrace. You are aware of all my adversaries. Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I waited for sympathy, but there was none; for comforters, but found no one. Instead, they gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar” (vv. 19-21).
And the reader familiar with the New Testament recognizes the parallel of Jesus’ suffering; Matthew’s Gospel records: “When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Skull Place), they gave Him wine mixed with gall to drink” (27.33-34a).
*For a complete list of references, please see scripturestoryline.com