I have never been in the presence of a king, president, or other national dignitary. However, I can imagine at times, a meeting could be quite informal or more likely with much pomp and circumstance. Following Absalom's death, King David returned to Jerusalem. Of course, as is true of most if not all dignitaries, people wanted to meet with the king along the way.
These people sought a personal encounter with the king...
Joab
After Absalom's death, David grieved. Instead of celebrating a victory, David's army (under the leadership of Joab) also went into mourning. Joab aggressively reprimanded King David for his behavior and demanded that that the king encourage the army and express his appreciation for their victory over David's enemy.
Joab told his king how things should be done.
Shimei
We know that Shimei had previously cursed King David and threw stones at him and his party. Shimei approached David and immediately "fell prostrate before the king" and asked for the king's pardon for his previous actions. King David promised Shimei that he would not kill him.
Shimei sought the mercy and salvation of his king.
Mephibosheth and Ziba
These two characters came to King David with conflicting stories. I believe David tested Mephibosheth about his motives for staying in Jerusalem. Without being able to corroborate the story, David did what he thought was fair. He told them to divide Saul's estate. I suspect that Ziba was relieved when Mephibosheth decided to gave his share to Ziba.
Mephibosheth simply wanted to be in his king's presence.
Barzillai
Barzillai had previously provided for King David and his army. Barzillai wanted to walk with the king as he crossed the Jordan and then planned to part and go his own way from there. But David offered much more. He offered a lifetime spent in the palace with all the provisions and blessings included. Barzillai knew that his life was relatively short and he offered this gift and opportunity of a lifetime to Kimham instead.
Barzillai simply wanted to walk with his king for a few days (or hours).
David's Concubines
We don't know much about the interaction between King David and his concubines at this time. However, we do know that things had to change with the king's return to the palace.
The concubines had to suffer the consequences of others' sin, but their king protected and provided for them.
King David
David also wanted to meet with his king, his Heavenly King. During a three-year famine, David "sought the face of the Lord". David wanted to understand why the famine was occurring. Through these actions, David acknowledged God's omnipotence and omniscience. After receiving an answer from God, David responded by speaking with the Gibeonites and making restitution for Saul's actions against them.
David sought understanding from his King.
During the Easter sunrise service yesterday, Pastor Chris asked a question: "When we come to church, do we expect to be changed?" We can meet with our Heavenly King anytime we choose to. Do we meet with Him with pure motives, a soft and open heart, a spirit willing to yield to Him, expecting to be changed? Today, I pray we do!
Terry - I LOVE the way you organized and divided up your post! It really helps to break down these chapters and the significance of them in an easy to follow and an easy to remember format. I also really enjoyed the way you had each of these characters seeking "the king" in their own way. Such WONDERFUL parallels for us in how we are seeking our King. I am reading the book called "Radical" by David Platt and it is quite revolutionary calling us back to understanding and living out the fact that we are here to share God's love with others, to make disciples (which takes a lot of time and effort!), and to bring God glory GLOBALLY. Jesus started His amazing, world-changing revolution with 12 men (11 if you don't count Judas Iscariot!), NOT a mega-church with huge buildings. This book, just like the book "Crazy Love" by Frances Chan, really brings us back to the Biblical way Jesus did things and that Jesus should mean SO MUCH to us that we are willing to do anything and go anywhere for Him...hmmmmm...are we???
ReplyDeleteOh Terry, I love the perspective here! The most challenging part for me is about David seeking understanding from his King Here's one of those parts of the story that in my flesh, I would rather "take out"...it's just hard to digest. But, I'm not asked to understand His way, but to trust Him in it.
ReplyDeleteThe lives of seven men? Apparently innocent of the crime? Two mothers losing multiple sons? It's almost too much to bear. God may again "seem like a bully" of some kind. But knowing better, I continue to ask Him what I can learn from this. I'll share just a few things brought to my mind:
*Seven is the number of completion, perfection.
*God promised curse of sin to third and fourth generations.
*The grief of another can cause us to correct unfinished business in our own lives.
*A mother's compassion for her sons is limitless.
The verses are very deep and full of content which is so relevant to life today. We have so many questions and not enough answers. At times, I just ask "why?" just like David. Maybe there will always be questions with no answers. This is when God tells us to trust, trust and trust me. I am God. Then He reveals many things as we continue to seek His face.
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