2 Samuel 19:5-7
Verse 6 You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead.
With David grieving hard again Joab comes back from the battle and he can’t believe his eyes and ears. It was like walking into a ghost town as everyone had sulked into a quiet place to allow the king the grief he needed. Joab had been expecting and anticipating a celebration happening in the streets but was welcomed by what appeared to be the loser’s home camp.
David’s weeping may have been heard in the street as Joab passed under the gateway. Remember, Joab had known David for some time, he had seen him mourn over a king who had been chasing after him for years and had seen him grieve over a son who had done inexcusable things to his daughter. Joab was beginning to see a pattern, this king wept over the wrong things.
While he had stood by and allowed the king to grieve over those things in the past, this time the morale of his men was at stake. Those things had been purely familial to the king but this was part of a much bigger picture. These men who had just fought in this battle were doing so out of their love for the king and their belief he was the one the Lord wanted to lead His people. They could have just as easily stayed and followed Absalom but they were devoted to King David. It was time the king learned to be loyal to God’s people too.
Joab approached the king and didn’t even try to hide his anger. He and his men had done the thing that would preserve this king’s throne and it was time the king admitted this is what was needed. “How can you be this way? Don’t you see what you are doing to your men?!” Joab wanted the king to stop grieving his son and start letting his men know they hadn’t displeased their king. The fact was only Joab and those with him had disobeyed the king’s command.
The way Joab talked to the king would not have been acceptable at any other time. This was no way to address a king! A person shouldn’t tell a king things the commander was saying. To talk to the king this way would have gotten him beheaded in most kingdoms. Joab was showing his relationship with the king had gotten so familiar, the layer of respect which was due the king was missing. He wasn’t just dishonoring the king, he was disobeying God.
Making It Personal
Have you told an authority figure they failed because they didn’t do it your way? How should you address a situation where you disagree with a person of authority? How do you treat God when He doesn’t do what you think He should?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you always agree with those in charge? How should you treat them when you don’t agree? How do you act when you know Jesus would want you to do something you don’t feel like doing?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for guiding us in Your wisdom. Give us the wisdom to obey authority with grace when we don’t agree with their methods and help us to always obey You above all. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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