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9 April. 2 Samuel chapters 16-18
David is fleeing from Jerusalem with three regiments, knowing that his son Absalom is coming with many more to usurp him. These chapters show some of the attitudes that made David a great king, notwithstanding his personal sins.
As he flees he is met by two people whose attitudes could not be more opposed. Ziba (on behalf of his master Mephibosheth) comes out in peace to bring food and wine for the troops. Shimei, a follower of David’s former adversary Saul, curses and throws stones at him. But David restrains his men from attacking Shimei. David’s humility recognises that maybe this is actually a word from God, criticising him for his own failures. Recognising that some criticism is justified is a mark of maturity.
Meanwhile back in Jerusalem, Absalom is given advice on military strategy from two trusted advisers, who give different options on how best to capture David. He follows Hushai’s advice, which we are told was the Lord’s plan. When a battle ensues, David’s troops are victorious. But even when faced with his son’s army, David gives orders to the commanders not to kill Absalom himself. Joab is the one who finds him, helplessly stuck in a tree (the story of the donkey walking on and leaving him hanging there is one of the Bible’s most comic images!). Joab ignores his orders and kills Absalom. Why? The stories of British troops in Iraq who killed the insurgents they were meant to be detaining peacefully remind us that in the heat of battle, emotions and the instinct for vengeance often overcome rules and rationality.
David, when he hears of his son’s death, does not rejoice as he would if it were the ruler of an enemy who had been killed, but rather weeps for his son. He seems to have regarded Absalom’s rebellion as the folly of youth rather than a serious revolt.