As David mourns the loss of Absalom, Israel mourns with him. David is still in the mountains as he mourns, and has not yet returned to Jerusalem. Joab, however, true to character, rebukes David in verses 5-7: “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, 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. 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.”
Joab’s threat was likely meant to spur David on to more kingly action than it was meant to be sincere. Joab’s perspective was that of a warrior; he had fought and sacrificed on David’s behalf and it was shameful that David would mourn his traitorous son rather than celebrate the victory won by his armies.
Support for him throughout the kingdom was not unanimous. David was meant to return, but many still felt that he may not deserve to because they had anointed Absalom king. But David saw this and persuaded them “as one man” to support him, which they did. David and all his house were welcomed back.
As David returns to power, there are some issues that he must settle. You will recall in II Samuel 16:5-8 how Shimei cursed David as he fled Jerusalem. David bore that public display with grace and mercy. Shimei knows that he is vulnerable now that David is back in power so he throws himself on David’s mercy. He admits his sin against David and he asks David to forget what he did. Abishai, who had called Shimei a “dead dog” when he first cursed David, calls for Shimei’s death “because he cursed the Lord’s anointed.” But David retains his kingly authority over both Abishai and Shimei when he displays mercy and says to Shimei, “You shall not die.”
Another reunion takes place as Mephibosheth comes to David. Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, grandson of Saul, had been given a seat at David’s table as well as many other blessings. This was largely due to David’s loyalty to Jonathan. Mephibosheth mourned the parting of David by not caring for himself; he had not cared for his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes since David had left Jerusalem. His appearance must have been striking. David asks why Mephibosheth did not accompany David when he left Jerusalem. To this, Mephibosheth says that Ziba had deceived him. For Ziba’s part, he had slandered Mephibosheth in II Samuel 16, and had taken steps to try and keep him in Jerusalem. Many Biblical scholars believe Mephibosheth’s word over Ziba’s because Ziba had motive to keep the estate. Also, Mephibosheth visually appeared to have mourned the loss of David as king. David’s judgment is to have Mephibosheth and Ziba equally divide the land. Mephibosheth, out of humility to the king, submits that Ziba take it all.
The third individual that David must deal with is Barzillai. He was a foreigner, a Gileadite, that had provided David with many good supplies while David was in exile. He had come with David to cross the Jordan, but would not go into Jerusalem to be honored, as David offered him. Instead, he cited his age, physical infirmities, and his desire not to be a burden to the king as reasons to pass on the offer. Instead he gives one of his servants to David named Chimham, whom David gladly receives and blesses. Barzillai, being eighty years old, then returns back to his home.
In the last verses of this chapter, we get a preview of the divided kingdom that will be the new status quo after the death of Solomon in the future. Judah and Israel are squabbling over a matter that has little consequence. It is interesting to witness this fight and reflect on how minor disagreements that reveal fundamental differences between groups can culminate in large-scale divisions.
Here are three valuable lessons that we can take from this chapter:
- Wisdom in loyalty: sometimes it will not always be clear who should receive your loyalty, particularly when it shifts. Many things need to be considered, such as reasons for switching loyalty and if they are worthwhile.
- Mercy: What would you have done with Shimei if he had publicly humiliated you and you were in a position of power over him? Think about your other personal relationships where you may have harmed others. Do you deserve punishment? Now think about your relationship with God. How many of us have committed sins against God and not received the penalty? Although it is difficult and sometimes feels opposite to what we should do, forgiveness and mercy are what is best. Why do you think that is?
- Opportunism pays…at first. Do not be like Ziba. Look how he started out, as a servant of David’s house. His relationship with Mephibosheth begins innocently enough when he tells David about Mephibosheth’s existence. But in the activity of Absalom’s takeover and David’s return, we see Ziba taking advantage of Mephibosheth’s disability, and he ends up receiving Mephibosheth’s land (originally Saul’s). At the end of chapter 29, Ziba has the land, but at what cost? Also, whay do you think Mephibosheth gave all the land to Ziba?
Monday Night Bible Study 