2 Sam 16:1-4 ESV

When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, “Why have you brought these?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who faint in the wilderness to drink.” 3 And the king said, “And where is your master's son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.’” 4 Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” And Ziba said, “I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king.”

THE FAVOR.

In the times of David’s need, Ziba the servant of Mephiboseth brought him ‘two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine.’ Curious, David asked him. Clearly, Ziba just wanted to bless David and his men by providing what they needed on his own volition.

Ziba was always concerned with Mephiboseth. In fact, he had blessed him for his vow to his father Jonathan. Hence, David asked Ziba about his whereabout. Ziba’s answer may had surprised David, that is, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.” Did Mephiboseth side with Absalom? At this time, David believed Ziba. Hence, he said to him, “Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.”

Was Ziba telling the truth? Mephiboseth had his own version of the story in 2 Sam 19:25 –30. When David was restored to his kingdom later, he didn’t believe one is more right than the other so that he divided the land between them equally.

For the favor we give to people undeservedly, every recipient has his own take about it. The favor may cause undue contention like Ziba and Mephiboseth due to dissatisfaction. Should a father has two sons and he has three candies, a fight will surely erupt when each one wants two.

What about the disciples? There were twelve of them and each one wanted to sit by the sides of Jesus. [see Mark 10:35-40] Were they not contented to be part of the 12 Jesus’ had chosen? To be better than others had plagued close relationships since the fall of man.

What and who we are could be attributed only to God’s grace. That is, our status here on earth has little or nothing to do with our true identity in Christ. Let’s be satisfied with it and avoid comparing ourselves with others. “One's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” [Luke 12:15] Since all Christians are grace recipients, nobody is better than others. If one beggar has been given a bigger piece of bread than the others won’t make him better than the rest. He does remain a beggar, doesn’t he?

2 Sam 14:23-24, 28-33 ESV

23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24 And the king said, “Let him dwell apart in his own house; he is not to come into my presence.” So Absalom lived apart in his own house and did not come into the king's presence.

28 So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king's presence. 29 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. And he sent a second time, but Joab would not come. 30 Then he said to his servants, “See, Joab's field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” So Absalom's servants set the field on fire. 31 Then Joab arose and went to Absalom at his house and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?” 32 Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent word to you, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.” Now therefore let me go into the presence of the king, and if there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.’” 33 Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.

THE RELUCTANT FATHER.

Through Joab’s intermediary, David consented to let Absalom go back to Jerusalem. But the king said, “Let him dwell apart in his own house; he is not to come into my presence.” So Absalom lived apart in his own house and did not come into the king's presence. So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king's presence.

They are so near yet far from each other. The king had neglected to reach out to his son Absalom. Why? Did not David long to see Absalom? [2 Sam 13:39] The reason isn’t obvious as his act of willful neglect to talk with Absalom.

After two full years of not seeing his father, Absalom sought for Joab’s help, who also had paid no attention to him. Thus, he told his servants to set Joab’s field on fire , that was next to his. The act seemed outrageous but that was the only way he thought to get the attention of Joab and the king. Certainly, Absalom was desperate to see the king.

Unlike David, our God isn’t deaf and stern to His own, is He? “With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever.”[Psa 136:12] Isaiah also wrote;

“I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,

Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts.”[Isa 65:2]

Even Jesus when he entered Jerusalem had cried,” O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” [Luke 13:34]

We should run to the Father as the prodigal son did when he realized the goodness of his father. He said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.[Luke 15:17-18]

Furthermore, we can go to the Father through Jesus, who unlike Joab knows and sympathizes with us always. As Heb 4:15-16 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

2 Sam 14:1-3, 12-17 ESV

Now Joab the son of Zeruiah knew that the king's heart went out to Absalom. 2 And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman and said to her, “Pretend to be a mourner and put on mourning garments. Do not anoint yourself with oil, but behave like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead. 3 Go to the king and speak thus to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.

12 Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.” He said, “Speak.” 13 And the woman said, “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God? For in giving this decision the king convicts himself, inasmuch as the king does not bring his banished one home again. 14 We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast. 15 Now I have come to say this to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid, and your servant thought, ‘I will speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant. 16 For the king will hear and deliver his servant from the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together from the heritage of God.’ 17 And your servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will set me at rest,’ for my lord the king is like the angel of God to discern good and evil. The Lord your God be with you!”

INCONSISTENCY

Through Joab’s scheming, the wise woman from Tekoa was able to talk with David. She coached her to tell te king a hypothetical story. That, she had two sons and one struck dead the other. Consequently, the entire family wanted the killer to avenge him. Thus, she asked help for the king to protect the only “remaining coal, leaving no one on the face of the earth to carry on the name of my husband.”

Without hesitation upon hearing it, David assured her that “not a single hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.” His response was the woman’s point of accusation against him. She said, “Why have you devised something like this against God’s people? When the king speaks in this fashion, he makes himself guilty, for the king has not brought back the one he has banished.” David’s inconsistency was revealed by being kind to the woman’s son but not to his son Absalom.

Like David, at times, we are caught in between the devil and the deep blue sea. He was angry to what Amnon did to Tamar yet he did not take action to punish him.[see 2 Sam 12:31] How could he punish his own son? Absalom could have been pacified if justice was meted out. Certainly, his inaction had ushered to another crisis – Absalom’s murder to Amnon. “The king longed to go to Absalom, for he had since been consoled over the death of Amnon. And, Joab son of Zeruiah realized that the king longed to see him.” [2 Sam 13:39, 14:1] But, he turned a cold shoulder to Absalom for three years.

Similarly, we fathers sometimes know the right thing to do mentally but our emotions prompt us to do the opposite in dealing with our erring children. This inconsistency is shown in our inactions. And, these inactions towards their wrongs are signs of consent, are they not? May God has mercy upon us as He was to David.

Othe other hand, our Father in heaven is also inconsistent but in a different way. Think of this. He punished His sinless Son to provide forgiveness for our sins. He doesn’t bypass sin for He is just and righteous. Yet, for His love, His Son received His wrath for he became our substitute at the cross. In an incomprehensible way, God is both loving and righteous in Christ.

At the cross, God’s justice and love are demonstrated.

2 Sam 13:23-33 ESV

23 After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing. 26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled.

30 While they were on the way, news came to David, “Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not one of them is left.” 31 Then the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the earth. And all his servants who were standing by tore their garments. 32 But Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, said, “Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king's sons, for Amnon alone is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day he violated his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore let not my lord the king so take it to heart as to suppose that all the king's sons are dead, for Amnon alone is dead.”

THE ANGER OF MAN.

For the evil Amnon did to Tamar, Absalom hated him. Bitterness doesn’t wane with time, does it? Quite the opposite, the longer bitterness is harbored, its corruption do spread like a gangrene. Heb 12:15 says, “ See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;”

After two years, Absalom was able to persuade his reluctant father David to allow Amnon with all the king’s son to follow with him in shearing the sheep at Baal-hazor. He threw a drinking spree to let Amon and the rest got drank. He commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” Thus Amnon was killed by Absalom through his servants. In short, He had reaped what he had sown. Indeed, ‘the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.’[Jas 1:20]

Consequently, David had heard the wrong report of the fleeing servants that Amnon and all the king’s sons were dead. It was Jonadab, his nephew, who had clarified him that only Amnon had died. Fear may had cause this exaggeration of the report as the 10 spies said did to the nation of Israel that they were just gasshoppers before the Canaanites.

This cycle of evil done among the children of David does demonstrate the ugliness of man’s heart, doesn’t it? The lust of Amnon and Absalom’s man’s slaughter of Amnon had exposed the secret sin David did into the open. Did not God to say to David through Nathan, “For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’[2 Sam 12:12]

The cost of sin is too serious to ignore. Unless we cringe to the thought that our home be consumed with fire, we won’t be convinced not to play with fire, though how small it is. May God will teach us to hate sin as God hates it.

2 Sam 12:24-25 ESV

24 Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the Lord loved him 25 and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.

JEDIDIAH

Both David and Bathsheba were comforted that God gave them another son. They called him Solomon, which means ‘man of peace.’ David had been in turmoil and must had a high hope that the future of his son would be the opposite. Solomon will be a catalyst of peace.

Amazingly, the Lord loved him. As Nathan knew it from God, he named David and Bathsheba’s son, Jedidiah, which means “beloved or darling of Yah.” God had expressed displeasure to David for his double sin of adultery and murder. But apparently, after David’s confession, His anger was replaced with mercy. As Psalm 103:8-11:

“The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always chide,

nor will he keep his anger forever.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

No mistake needs be final. Thus, we don’t need to be stuck in the past. As our covenant keeping God, He does give us a new start so that we may not be defined by our blunders in the past. Like David, the righteous may fall seven times but he could rise again. [Prov 24:16]

Who among us is isn’t tossed and hurt by the crisis? As we crossed the 365 dateline we reached 2021. As ship cruising in treacherous 2020 waters , we traversed with our sails are torn perhaps. Nevertheless, God had enabled to usher ourselves to 2021 and began a new journey. But this time, we do have had precious lessons learned, don’t we?

Like David and Bathsheba, let’s forget the past and build up from the ashes. Let’s focus unto the future and embrace the challenges ahead. Let’s continue our journey having been assured of the unfailing love of God, abounding with hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”[Rom 15:13]

Our God is the God of the second chances. God anticipates that we fail. But, He doesn’t want us to live in failure. We could fail. But, we should not call ourselves failures, should we? We may climb the tallest mountains on earth. But, let’s not forget that our feet are made of clay. And this should cause us to be humble always.

Our failure needs not be final. For God can create beauty for ashes. As Isaiah encouraged the dispersed Jews, that is, “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”[Isa 61:3]