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May 17th
The Bible reading today reveals the sad, the bad, and the ugly of men. But sovereignly above all of that, God is seen at work to fulfill His divine purposes....2 Samuel 16-18.
Ahithophel, long-time family friend, and counselor of David chose to desert David and stay in Jerusalem with David’s rebellious son Absolom. Word got back to David that Ahithophel counseled Absolom to give him 12,000 men and he would leave immediately to engage David and kill him.
For David fans, that turn of events by David’s trusted counselor was a shock I’m sure. For David himself, that had to hurt...that was BAD.
Speaking of David fans, Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son, whom David took under his roof after Jonathan’s death, was certainly in David’s camp when it came to the Absolom rebellion. This is where the Ugly comes into the story.
Days after King David made his strategic retreat from Jerusalem to the east bank of the Jordan river, Mephibosheth’s servant, Ziba, showed up at David’s encampment with food and drink for the king.
David asked Ziba, “Where is your master?” speaking of the crippled Mephibosheth. Ziba proceeded to weave a tale of lies about Mephibosheth’s plan to use the rebellion to separate himself from David for good...with a scheme to place himself on David’s throne.
It will be a few chapters later when David will reenter Jerusalem victoriously. At that time, he will get the truth. Ziba betrayed his master. Instead of making preparations to help Mephibosheth join David’s band of brothers, as he was instructed, he took advantage of his disabled charge, took the animals and the stores of food, and left Mephibosheth to die under the sword of Absolom.
Ziba was looking for a reward from the king at the expense of the life and reputation of the king’s young friend. And to add to that grievance, Ziba’s lies would have most certainly taken what was left of David’s heart. Now that wasn’t pretty...it was the Ugly in the story.
And now the SAD. When David’s mighty men went out to fight Absolom and his army, David made it clear to his men that they were not to kill his son. However, David’s commander, Joab, killed Absolom with 3 javelins hitting their mark in the young warrior’s heart. But to make sure that the king’s enemy was dead, Joab commanded his 10 armor bearers to strike his body as it hung in a tree.
When David learned that his son died in battle, he returned to his chambers over the gates of Mahanaim. There he wept bitterly...”O Absolom my Absolom, that I could have died in your place...my son, my son.” So SAD.
But where David could not die in his son’s place to save him...our Jesus did die in our place on the cross and was raised from the dead to save us who believe Him. That’s the AWESOME of our story!
Have a great day.
