OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. JOAB REPROVES DAVID - (1-8)

II. JUDAH GOES TO GILGAL TO MEET THE KING - (9-15)

III. SHIMEI AND ZIBA GREET THE KING - (16-23)

IV. MEPHIBOSHETH GREETS THE KING - (24-30)

V. BARZILLAI GREETS THE KING - (31-40)

VI. ISRAEL IS ENVIOUS OF JUDAH - (41-43)

I. JOAB REPROVES DAVID - (1-18)

Although it is a day of victory it is not a day of rejoicing. David is overwhelmed at the death of his son. There is no sweet taste of victory. Joab is somewhat uneasy, for he knows in his heart that he has directly disobeyed his king. What would the consequences of his actions be? Joab would like to divert attention from himself, "Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants...." Joab accuses David of discouraging the troops. Verse (3) indicates that the armies left the battlefield as though they had lost the battle. The people had a grave realization of the fruitlessness of war. There are no real winners in war, everyone loses.

Joab says, "you'd just be as happy as a lark if we all died and Absalom had been spared, wouldn't you?" There is an element of truth in Joab's reproof for it is time for the king to respond and lead through this crisis. The people are insecure. Another uprising could flare up at any moment if some form of leadership and direction is not exercised. The king must lay aside his personal loses and consider the future and good of all. The leader cannot consume himself with his own problems, disappointments and failures,

The king responds to Joab's prodding. He "arose, and sat in the gate" (vs. 8). This move told the people that David had indeed once again assumed command. Verse nine shows us how unstable and volatile the situation was. A delay on David's part could at this point lead the nation into a state of anarchy.

 

II. JUDAH GOES TO GILGAL TO MEET THE KING - (9-15)

The general populace cannot understand what has happened to David. He has always been a 'winner', but when it came to his son, he was defeated. How many people appear to have the 'world by the tail', but cannot control things under their own roof?

"Why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?" The verse has a tremendous spiritual application. How many Christians are indeed waiting expectantly for the Second Coming of Christ? Are you willing to talk about it? "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." - (Heb. 9:28). "Even so, come Lord Jesus." (Rev. 22:20). I am afraid the Christian world has its roots planted too deeply here on this earth. The return of the king at the rapture of the church, will be accompanied by the realization of the redemption of our mortal bodies, (Rom. 8:22,23). This is the next great event on God's calendar. At that point, 'We shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." - (1 Jn. 3:2,3). Note that this hope has a purifying affect upon us.

The men of Judah seem to have the most difficulty in submitting themselves to the apparent will of God. David is looking for a vote of confidence. As far as he's concerned the "heat" is not off. Will the men of Judah cause another insurrection if David is brought back? They that are closest to us often are those that are most difficult to restore. When we offend or betray someone, we deeply love, the hurt goes very deep. "Ye are my bones and my flesh" (vs. 12). Once again we see a type of Christ, (Eph. 5:30; 1 Cor. 6:17).

In (vs. 13), Joab receives his 'pink slip'. Joab can no longer be trusted, not only does he know too much, but he has chosen to use his knowledge to systematically blackmail David. Joab can do what he pleases and he knows it. Amasa, Absalom's appointed captain, and by the way, nephew of David (2 Sam. 17:25; 1 Chron. 2:16), is retained in his newly appointed position as captain of the armies (vs. 13). The appointment of Amasa, who is also of the tribe of Judah, convinces the tribe to make a move towards David, "Return thou, and all thy servants."

Gilgal has some interesting biblical significance. See (2 Ki. 2:1; Josh. 4:19; 1 Sam. 11:15).

 

III. SHIMEI AND ZIBA GREET THE KING - (16-23)

Shimei (2 Sam. 16:5-14) comes with the men of Judah to greet the king. Shimei is a Benjamite of the house of Saul. He is accompanied by one thousand other Benjamites plus Ziba (2 Sam. 9:2,10; 16:1-4) and his entourage.

Shimei recognizes his error and falls prostrate before the king and submits himself to his mercy. We have a wonderful picture of individual salvation before us. "Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember...For the servant doth know that I have sinned..." (vss. 18-20).

Abishai pictures the great accuser of the brethren, "...Shall not Shimei be put to death for this?" David has had a 'gut' full of the sons of Zeruiah (David's sister, 1 Chron. 2:16), (The reference "house of Joseph" refers to the fact that Benjamin and Joseph were blood brothers from the union of Jacob and Rachel).

David's mercy typifies the mercy of God. Thou shalt not die...the king sware unto him."

 

IV. MEPHIBOSHETH GREETS THE KING - (24-30)

Mephibosheth was slandered by Ziba in (2 Sam. 16:1-4). Ziba told David that Mephibosheth had kingly aspirations and that he was "cutting out" on David to pursue them. In the meantime Mephibosheth placed himself in a state of mourning (vs. 24). Mephibosheth informs David of his personal situation. He then places himself at the mercy of David for David is as an "angel of God," (1 Sam. 29:9, Gal. 4:14; 2 Sam. 14:17,20; Acts 27:22), again a type of Christ. If David were to execute Mephibosheth, Mephibosheth knows that the life David had given to him in II Samuel 9 was already grace on his part (vs. 28).

V. BARZILLAI GREETS THE KING - (31-40)

Typically, it appears that each one of these men represents a class or group of people that are on earth at the Second Coming of Christ.

Barzillai was "a very great man" (vs. 32). Amongst the group of men represented in this chapter, we see quite a cross-section of humanity. There are the Shimei's and the Barzillai's, the Mephibosheth's and the Ziba's. David wants to do some great things for the old man, but Barzillai sees that the effort would not be profitable, for Barzillai is old and becoming very senile. The old, mature, saint of God, needs very little from the Lord to sustain him. The carnal desires and cares of this world have passed away, the man just wants peace. "David, do this for someone who can really appreciate it." Chimham (pronounced Kimham) is chosen by Barzillai to receive the benefits in his stead.

VI. ISRAEL IS ENVIOUS OF JUDAH - (41-43)

The men of Israel, specifically representing the ten tribes (excluding Judah and Benjamin), are jealous of David's close affiliation with his kinsmen according to the flesh. I believe we see the development of some cracks in the unity of the nation of Israel. Upon the death of David's son Solomon, Israel was hopelessly split into two kingdoms led by the two kings Jeroboam and Rehoboam. Israel received what they had asked for but not without the problems predicted by Samuel in (1 Sam. 8:10-22). Read the preceding passage, then read (1 Ki. 12), to see the 'evolution' of the kingdom.