Observations and Interpretations:
(1) The beginning of the odd relationship between David and Joab
19:6 You seem to love your enemies and hate your friends! For you have as much as declared today that leaders and servants don’t matter to you. I realize now that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, it would be all right with you. 7 So get up now and go out and give some encouragement to your servants. For I swear by the LORD that if you don’t go out there, not a single man will stay here with you tonight! This disaster will be worse for you than any disaster that has overtaken you from your youth right to the present time!”
His words reflected reality and Joab might have saved David from another disaster. Therefore, David had to follow them and went out to the city gate. What kind of emotions did David have when he went to meet the people?
His words reflected reality and Joab might have saved David from another disaster. Therefore, David had to follow them and went out to the city gate. What kind of emotions did David have when he went to meet the people?
8 So the king got up and sat at the city gate. When all the people were informed that the king was sitting at the city gate, they all came before him.
Note, who caused this heartbreaking and tough situation for king David?
(NAC) “Joab, asserting the reasons of state security that demanded Absalom’s death, accuses David of grave discourtesy to his supporters and friends—the words [vv.5–7] are extraordinarily frank and represent Joab’s only open rebuke of the king throughout the entire Davidic history” (p. 166)—a rebuke that will cost him dearly (cf. v.13), at least temporarily.
(2) 19:13 Say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my flesh and blood? God will punish me severely, if from this time on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’ ”
From v.13, we see that the relationship between Joab and David did not get better, but got worse. David intended to replace his commander.
(2) 19:13 Say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my flesh and blood? God will punish me severely, if from this time on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’ ”
From v.13, we see that the relationship between Joab and David did not get better, but got worse. David intended to replace his commander.
Reflection: Yes, Joab was powerful, but he was crafty and dangerous to David. Most importantly, he disobeyed David's order and killed David's son. Therefore, David was put in a very odd position. He had to sit at the city gate to comfort his people while he was heartbroken. As a result, David intended to replace him with Amasa.
Are we like Joab, smart, but disobedient to God? Is power/intelligence or obedience more important to us? Do we bring pain to God because of our sins or do we live in a way to please God?
(3) 21 Abishai son of Zeruiah replied, “For this should not Shimei be put to death? After all, he cursed the LORD’s anointed!” 22 But David said, “What do we have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? You are like my enemy today! Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” 23 The king said to Shimei, “You won’t die.” The king vowed an oath concerning this.
(NAC) Shimei admittedly deserved to die, and he would yet be punished (cf. 1 Kgs 2:8–9), but on another day and for another reason (cf. 1 Kgs 2:36–46).
Note, the word "sons" and "you" in v.22 are in plural. That means, David did not disagree only with Abishai, but with all his brothers (including Joab) as well. Although Abishai made similar comments to the enemies of David (NAC 1 Sam 26:8–9; 2 Sam 16:10), David was never mad at him like this time and called them "my enemy." It was probably because their relationship got sour with David to the point that David felt his authority was being threatened. " Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?"
Reflection: Do we love to tell God what to do? Do we always want to take over the control of our lives?
(4) Before David died, he told Solomon to kill Joab because he murdered Amasa in peace time (1 Kings 2:5-6).
2 Samuel 20: 9 Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” With his right hand Joab took hold of Amasa’s beard as if to greet him with a kiss. 10 Amasa did not protect himself from the knife in Joab’s other hand, and Joab stabbed him in the abdomen, causing Amasa’s intestines to spill out on the ground. There was no need to stab him again; the first blow was fatal.
Audrey
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