Title: Can I Exhibit Loyalty?
Text: 2 Samuel 19
Introduction:
Well, loyalty is the subject of this message this morning and I’m in 2 Samuel 19. David’s son Absalom is dead now and his army has been defeated. Absalom revolted against his father and sought to take over kingdom, where we left off last week 2 Samuel 18:9 tell us he died in an untimely way, and accident, his head was caught in the branches of a tree while riding his mule and then Joab, the captain of David’s armies ran him through with a Javelin while hanging in this tree. So, where do we go from here? Well, nothing stands in the way of David’s return to Jerusalem to take back his position as king, but will the people of Jerusalem welcome his return? You see what I mean loyalty? This entire chapter contributes to ones feelings of loyalty. How does David earn back people’s trust? Here’s the situation! When David returns to Jerusalem, he sits up a meeting place where people can come and see him and ask questions. Some will come unto him under the disguise of loyalty, while others will come as truly loyal to their leader. You’re going to see what this chapter has to say pertaining to loving our families better.
Transition:
Let me set the stage to the chapter.
Setting the Stage
A time of Great Mourning
We begin with verse one. “Joab was told, "The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom." (2) And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, "The king is grieving for his son."
(3) The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle.” Okay, are you getting the picture? Joab is the captain of David’s army and David’s army being the more skilled fighters has defeated Absalom’s army. So, it’s suppose to be a time of the celebrating of this victory, but because the soldiers are able to witness David’s grief over the death of his son Absalom, it seems a days victory had turned into a day of mourning and Joab wants to know why?
Joab’s Advice
So, Joab comes unto David to share some personal advice as captain of his armies.
You might say Joab has been a loyal employee for so many years, but he’s not a man to be trusted. Example: back in 2 Samuel 3:26-29, we read that Joab slew a man while under David’s rule that was in a city of refuge. You understand what I mean? Folks to murder a suspected criminal within a city of refuge was an absolute no, no. Under the Mosaic Law, God established certain cities to be refuge cities were people could flee to and be safe until after they received a fair trial. These cities were to be honored as safe zones. A blood avenger could not slay a murderer without a trial. Well, in 2 Samuel 3, Joab tricked a man to come towards him within one of these cities of refuge and he murdered him without a trial. The city was Hebron and the man Joab murdered was Abner, Saul’s cousin and valiant officer of Saul’s army. He was that officer that continued the war against David after Saul’s death. David’s general, Joab, resented him, but this killing of Abner within sacred city of refuge never sat well with David, but you know what? He didn’t discipline his general because it was a time of war. Well, just day’s prior, Joab killed David’s son Absalom and it was another one of those pleasures within a time of war, but this time David doesn’t overcome the miss justice done to his family.
What does Joab say to David? David the soldiers have won a great victory over the enemy, he’s your son, I realize this, but because you weep over the death of a son that rebelled against you, these soldiers feel they’ve done something terribly shameful to their king.” They can’t even walk around the city with their head’s held high because they conquered and enemy that was out to kill them. It was either kill, or be killed. I don’t know about you, but I think David needs to listen to what Joab has to say even though he’s proven that he can’t be trusted. Why? We have the same situation in today’s life, right now. We have officers in Iraq that feel the soldiers need to complete their job, win the war, and celebrate a great victory together that they can be proud of, but we have other incoming officers that feel we done all we can and it’s time to pull out now. So, I don’t need to tell you, there is a strong feeling of disloyalty within in our nations military. Joab comes to David and says in so many words, V.6 - What is this? Loving those that hate you and hating those that love you? David, your actions give a clear message to your officers and soldiers that they mean nothing to you. You know if Absalom were alive right now; we’d all be dead would that make you happy?
Well, this sets the stage for what’s to follow. David follows Joab’s advice! You see
Joab is a fighting soldier and he’s not one to really practice manners; that’s not his style, but he does awaken David to his obligation as a past king to the nation of Israel. And he continues to rebuke David in Vs. 7-8 and I want to use Eugene Peterson’s translation “The Message” “Get hold yourself David; if you don’t go to your men they’ll desert and not one soldier will be left here by nightfall and that would be the worst thing that could happen yet. So, the king came out and took his place at the city gate.” Guess what? Sometimes the best loyalty you can find will come from voices that can be the harshest. You kids remember this when your mom’s and dad’s get mad at you and they share with you their words of wisdom.
Transition:
So, David is going to sit at the city gate and give people the opportunity to come and share their opinions. However, before this happens David feels he needs to send a message to the elders of Judah. In Vs. 11-15, David calls for a couple of loyal trusted friends that were priests to come and show their faces.
Zadok & Abiathar
Zadok was one of the head priests of Jerusalem. And he like his colleague Abiathar was a loyal servant to David. They were the ones that wanted to stay with David when he was forced to leave the city of Jerusalem during Absalom’s revolt, but were sent back to become David’s informants. Now in the days to come you’ll find out that in the lasts days of David’s life, Zadok will be the priest that backs Solomon to become the new king, while Abiathar takes the side of Adonijah another one of David’s sons that wanted to be King of Israel. Well, we already know the story right? Solomon becomes king and Abiathar retires in disgrace and Zadok is promoted to a position of great prominence as head of the Jerusalem priesthood, but right now they’re friends with each other and they’re real close friends to David. Later on as loyal friends their friendship will be tested, but right now they’re there for David.
A Message to be Sent
What is this message David wants them to deliver to the elders of Judah? How does David know that this message is going to bring back results? You know how it is when you may not be that type of family to always be on the phone calling and staying in contact with family members, but when there a problem you’re always there for each other? There’s a loyalty in those families that solve problems together. Look at (V.11) – David says to his two friends take this message a give it to my family. And this is what I want you to say, “Why are you the last ones to reinstate me as king?” You see what I mean David appeals to family reasoning. In other words, “We’ve always been there for each other in the past, why has this changed? Look at what he says next? “For I have heard that all Israel is ready to receive me back as their king, and only you are holding out. (12) Yet you are my relatives, my own tribe, my own flesh and blood! Why are you the last ones to welcome me back?” Remember this is family! No wonder John wrote that the one who hates his brother is living in the dark. (1 John 2:9-11)
Look at verse 13! David has a special message to be given to his nephew Amasa. He says, “Since you are my nephew, may God strike me dead if I do not appoint you as commander of my army in place of Joab.” Now, you know what? I wonder if Joab is in favor of this move? I bet you Joab knows nothing about it, but you see this appointment was a shrewd political move on the part of David. He’s doing all he can to unite the kingdom behind his rule. You say how shrewd? (1) Amasa had been commander of Absalom’s army; so by making Amasa his commander, David would secure the allegiance of his enemy, his deceased rebel son’s army. (2) By replacing Joab, David would be punishing him for his previous crimes. You see what I mean? Not only the murder of Abner, which I referred to previously, but his son Absalom whom he said he had no reason to grieve over because he was such a rebel. Now you know what? I can’t help but believe, even though Joab’s advice was good for David to honor his soldiers by celebrating with them this great victory in battle, although this advice motivated David to take charge of his future, because of the way it was delivered, Joab’s advice drove a wedge between he and David. And isn’t it true? Sometimes we never get past that wedge we’re driven between relationships from the things we have said. I guess what I’m saying is loyalty demands that we at like we’re loyal. And tactfulness is good in all situations, particularly when a family member is grieving. 2 Samuel 17:25 we’re told that Joab was to be disciplined for killing Absalom in such a defenseless way. (3) Amasa had a great deal of influence over the leaders of Judah (19:14). There are three reasons why David fired Joab. And all of these moves were to help to unite the kingdom. So, in verse 14, David’s appeal to family worked - Then Amasa convinced all the leaders of Judah, and they responded unanimously. They sent word to the David, “Return to us and bring back all those who are with you.”
Transition:
Now, quickly what happens next it this drama of gaining loyalty unto David? V.15 – David is meet by his loyal supporters. “Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan. Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan.” Folks, isn’t this a beautiful picture? Years earlier David leaves the city a reject man and weeping. You think they didn’t see their leader leave the city is such dishonor? You have two types of people in any crowd. You have your loyal followers and then you have those that seem to say, “Ya, David, but have you done for us lately?” These are his loyal followers that remembered what he did in verse 9. This is the king that delivered us from the hands of our enemies, who saved us from the Philistines, and who fled out of the land from Absalom. However, Absalom is dead, why are we so silent to bring back our king?
Loyal Supporters
Shimei
And I find verse 16 to be unique. The first one to come to David is his brother Shimei. Some family members may not be calling you on the phone and keeping in touch day after day, but they’re there for you in those big significant moments of life.
Illustration:
(Conversation with my sister and mom when mom was in the hospital.) My mother agreed that we’re this type of family where we are always there for each other in those significant moments of life. You remember Shimei? His son Jonadab helped in plotting the rape of his daughter Tamar? Loyal family members never let problems of the past separate them. V.16 tell us he brought 1000 men with him welcome David home as king. Yes, David you’re a moral failure, redeemed of God, but you’re our king. Ziba was there in the crowd as well.
Ziba (V. 17)
At one time he was the chief servant in Saul’s home when he was the reigning king of Israel. He brings with him 15 sons and 20 servants. People that already knew how to work hard. That’s the type of people you want to greet you when you return home. Those that say, “David, we’re going to help you move this kingdom forward – you can count on our loyal support.
Gera (V.18)
Gera was there as an ancestor of David and Shimei. You see how this family hangs together in the tough times of life? Look what he says in V.19. – I was the one that sinned against you on the day you walked out of Jerusalem when you were put to shame. I am here today to ask you for your forgiveness. What a loyal family member! You skip on down to (V.21) and Abishai was there in the welcoming crowd.
Abishai (V.21)
There was a time when this man would have taken off Shimei’s head for what he said about David, but David calls for mercy and reconciliation. Such a move will greatly help him rebuild the kingdom as God honoring. And then finally, down in V.24, Mephibosheth was also there in the welcome home crowd.
Mephibosheth (V.24)
This was the crippled son of Jonathan, son of Saul, his best friend before he was slain on the battlefield. This was the son that David sought out to help because of his oath to Jonathan. Basically that oath was this – as God as our witness if at any time we die your kids will become my kids. We will care for them as if they are our own. So, Mephibosheth was the only remaining child of Jonathan after the time of his death and David took him in and treating him like his own. How did he come to David? “Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.” What’s wrong can’t he take care of himself? Yes, it’s just that he’s been in remorse for the one that loved him as his own son.
Conclusion
You see what mean loyalty? You learn there are two types of families in this world when they are called upon to welcome a member back into the family fold. The Prodigal Son brother type! “Dad, why do you welcome this disobedient child of yours back into our home and celebrate his arrival?” “Yes, he’s my brother, but I’m not my brothers keeper, and besides this what has he done for me lately?” I see this attitude so often among family members and it grieves me. Jesus says this is the wrong type of family loyalty. It’s not where you want to go to build a future. The other type is what David exhibits as he comes back to Jerusalem having the stronger army that just defeated the nations reigning kings army. Jesus said, “The greatest among us must become the servant of all.” Even though David is the one with the most shame to bear, his example was one of forgiveness and mercy filled. My question to you is which type of family member are you? Have you learned anything from this message as to how to love your family better?
Prayer:
