(1) David fled quickly from the threat of Absalom. Also when he left it would avoid the conflict and thus protect the residents of Jerusalem.
15:14 So David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come on! Let’s escape! Otherwise no one will be delivered from Absalom! Go immediately, or else he will quickly overtake us and bring disaster on us and kill the city’s residents with the sword.”
He fled with his servants v.14,15, all the members of his royal court v.16, and Kerethites, Pelethites, and Gitites v.18—some six hundred men who had come on foot from Gath.
He fled with his servants v.14,15, all the members of his royal court v.16, and Kerethites, Pelethites, and Gitites v.18—some six hundred men who had come on foot from Gath.
(ZIBBC OT) These troops (mercenaries) from Gath were probably drawn to David during his stay in the territory of Achish, ruler of Gath (1 Sam. 27ff.).
These people stayed with David because they were loyal to him. Among them the loyal of Ittai the Gitite was striking because he was willing to stay with David even when he did not have to do that v.19-23.
15:19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you come with us? Go back and stay with the new king, for you are a foreigner and an exile from your own country.15:20 It seems like you arrived just yesterday.
15:21 But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the LORD lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether dead or alive, there I will be as well!”
Reflection: These people showed loyalty to David not during his good time, but as well as his bad time. Ittai was unreasonably loyal. Can we be like him to God? We can leave if we want to. No one will raise an eyebrow if you chose not to help out, but you chose to stay and do what God wants you to do. Are you loyal to God? Do we commit our lives to God, whether dead or alive, we will be with the LORD?
Reflection: These people showed loyalty to David not during his good time, but as well as his bad time. Ittai was unreasonably loyal. Can we be like him to God? We can leave if we want to. No one will raise an eyebrow if you chose not to help out, but you chose to stay and do what God wants you to do. Are you loyal to God? Do we commit our lives to God, whether dead or alive, we will be with the LORD?
(2) David did not make everyone flee with him. He had a plan set in place before Absalom arrived in Jerusalem.
Scriptures repeatedly mentioned that they went by foot (not on horses or donkeys) v.16, 17 and the place they went to was the desert v.23. The feelings of the fleeing crowd was heartbroken. All the (people of the) land was weeping loudly v.23.
15:30 As David was going up the Mount of Olives, he was weeping as he went; his head was covered and his feet were bare. All the people who were with him also had their heads covered and were weeping as they went up.
On the other hand, David had hope that he might come back if he found favor in the LORD"s sight v.25.
v.25b If I find favor in the LORD’s sight he will bring me back and enable me to see both it and his dwelling place again. 15:26 However, if he should say, ‘I do not take pleasure in you,’ then he will deal with me in a way that he considers appropriate.”
For the possibility for the LORD to bring him back, David set up a plan. He had the sons of the priest to be his spy to send him words v.27-28. In addition, he asked Husai the Arkite to go back to Jerusalem and countered the advice of the counselor of Absalom v.31-36. David had set up everything when Absalom entered Jerusalem v.27.
For the possibility for the LORD to bring him back, David set up a plan. He had the sons of the priest to be his spy to send him words v.27-28. In addition, he asked Husai the Arkite to go back to Jerusalem and countered the advice of the counselor of Absalom v.31-36. David had set up everything when Absalom entered Jerusalem v.27.
Reflection: The environment that David faced was really tough. Everyone around him lost hope already. However, his hope is in the LORD and therefore he set these people up. Do you have hope in the midst of your difficulties?
Audrey
2024
v.13-23
B:
1. David commanded and all his servants follow whatever he decided v.13-15. Even though the trip to the dessert v.23 was on foot v.16, 17 and therefore pretty difficult.
14 So David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem
15 The king’s servants replied to the king, “We will do whatever our lord the king decides.”
18 All his servants were leaving with him, along with all the Kerethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites
2. Even Ittai whom David thought he did not need to leave with him. But he was determined to follow even with the price of his own life.
21 But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the LORD lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means death or life, there I will be as well!”
R:
It will be easy to follow the Lord when our lives are easy, but to follow the Lord even when the situation is hard is not that easy. Ittai determined David would be his lord and king and therefore he was willing to pay his life to follow him. Do I have the same determination?
It will be easy to follow the Lord when our lives are easy, but to follow the Lord even when the situation is hard is not that easy. Ittai determined David would be his lord and king and therefore he was willing to pay his life to follow him. Do I have the same determination?
v.24-37
B:
1. David did not want to press the LORD to be with Him, but he let God to choose his future.
25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back to the city. If I find favor in the LORD’s sight he will bring me back and enable me to see both it and his dwelling place again. 26 However, if he should say, ‘I do not take pleasure in you,’ then he will deal with me in a way that he considers appropriate.”
Why did David not sure if the Lord was please with him? Probably bc he knew that what he experienced now was the judgement of his sins 12:10
2. David knew people well. He sent them back to Jerusalem if they would be more useful for him that way.
27 The king said to Zadok the priest, “Are you a seer? Go back to the city in peace! Your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan may go with you and Abiathar. 28 Look, I will be waiting at the fords of the desert until word from you reaches me.”
33 David said to him, “If you leave with me you will be a burden to me. 34 But you will be able to counter the advice of Ahithophel if you go back to the city...
R:
I cannot force God to be pleased with me, especially if I am under judgment. If God did, it was His mercy. Pray for God to forgive me before I can ask for His help.
A smart king like David knew how to use his servants, didnt God know me more and know where is the best place for me to serve Him?
Q:
1.
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