I’m reading about the restoration of David as the world celebrates the death of Osama Bin Laden. I suppose I feel a bit as though Joab had been in command of the special forces - ruthless, effective, enemy eliminated, never mind the blood on the carpet. But David, the man after God’s heart, has lost a son, and sees it differently.
David learns of Absalom’s death
2 Samuel 18:19-33
Prayer for justice
Psalm 10
Joab reproaches David
2 Samuel 19:1-8
David’s praise of Jerusalem
Psalm 122
He pardons Shimei
2 Samuel 19:16-23
A song of praise
Psalm 92
David and Mephibosheth
2 Samuel 19:24-30
Joab, well versed in the ways of kings, suspects that the messenger bringing bad news will be for it, doesn’t want Ahimaaz to go. He sends an unnamed Cushite instead. But Ahimaaz wants some glory and runs off. He’s going to arrive first, and the tension builds - what will David’s reaction be? It’s not what we expected - he’s not angry to hear that Joab has killed his son, he’s grief stricken. The army are bewildered, they;re not quite sure what to do in the face of an emotional response like this. They cancel the victory parade they had planned, and sneak back home like people who had done shamefully in battle.
Joab the soldier remonstrates with David, and persuades him into a show of strength, but David will not march back to Jerusalem in triumph, he waits to be brought back by the people. Since his sin with Bathseba, there has been a humble side of his character on display.
In the Psalms we read today, Psalm 10 is on the side of the poor and needy. The other two are more standard, in that they praise Jerusalem, and express trust that a righteous person will flourish under God, but there is no self-aggrandisment in David’s heart.
He has lost his son.
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