Oct 31, 2021. II Samuel 19:1-8

Posted byJohn Sanzone

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VICTORY and REGRET.  II Samuel 19:1-8.  10/31/2021.  #43.

II Samuel 19:1-8 [New King James Version]

1 And Joab was told, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.” 3 And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. 4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried out with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” 5 Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who today have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines, 6 in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well. 7 Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now.” 8 Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told all the people, saying, “There is the king, sitting in the gate.” So all the people came before the king. For everyone of Israel had fled to his tent.

  1. Triumph and tears
    1. Soldiers return in triumph only to find the king mourning
      1.  The army is ready to celebrate with the king
      1.  They hear David mourning the death of his son
    1. What should have been a time of joy had become bitter
      1.  David wanted it both ways = a victory + his son
      1.  David stresses the loss of his son and does not even bother to thank his army for their efforts
    1. The soldiers don’t know what to do
      1.  They become quiet, embarrassed, and even rebuked
      1.  As if they had sin grievously or lost the battle
      1.  They slink back to their tents in shame
  2. Joab’s scolding
    1. Joab enters the king’s room and scolds him
      1.  Only Joab could get by with this
      1.  He does not mince words
    1. Joab points out several poignant facts and observations:
      1.  David treated his enemies better than his friends
      1.  David would have been more pleased if all the soldiers had died, but Absalom had lived
      1.  David had put the army to shame
        1.  Acted as if they had done evil
        1.  Treated army as guilty for saving him
      1.  David’s soldiers had saved David’s life, the life of his wives and concubines, and his children at the extreme risks of their own lives
    1. Joab sternly admonishes David
      1.  The king needed to go before his men to encourage (lit., give heart to) them
        1.  They were exultant and now are despondent 
        1.  Does the king care that we saved his life?
      1.  If David does not console, congratulate, and show appreciation to his troops, they will all leave him
        1.  It is discouraging to help someone who neither wants the help nor appreciates it
        1.  Doing right is its own reward, but appreciation encourages the doer of it
      1.  If David leaves the impression that his son is more valuable than all of Israel and the rest of his household, no one will be motivated to serve him
    1. 3 key principles of leadership:
      1.  Having the right priorities (holiness vs. family)
      1.  Encouraging those who serve under you
      1.  Showing appreciation for positive effort
  3. David takes his seat
    1. David realizes the wisdom of what Joab says
      1.  He had not been thinking of his men at all
      1.  David had not considered the rest of his family
    1. David sets up a makeshift throne in the gate and sits down
      1.  Slowly, word is spread among the troops
      1.  The army begins to gather before David to hear what the king has to say to them
    1. David has a lot to repair
      1.  His behavior was very odious to his men
      1.  David did not have the proper perspective
    1. David had to represent God about all else, putting away all other considerations