2 Samuel 18
Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 18
The rebellion has finally been crushed but at a lost of 20000 Israelites and the death of Absalom, David’s son. It was a high price to pay and a great lost for David. This event marked the end of the conflict that prophet Nathan prophesied. The sin that David committed (premeditated murder of Uriah and adultery with Bathsheba) has brought about an earthquake within his family, destruction of lives and a humiliating expulsion from his city.
David was a good-hearted man and he wanted his son Absalom to return to him alive albeit his son had committed treason. He did not want to repay evil with evil. David knew that this was the punishment from God, and despite being dethroned and humiliated by his enemies, David took the punishment in good stride.
As Christians at times we do face trials or even the chastening from the Lord. Do we react negatively or strongly oppose to these chastening? Are we able to be like David, who humbled himself, admitted his sins and grieve over his sin? One may say that the death of his son was just events in history, however, if David had not committed the grave sin with Bathsheba and Uriah, these events would not have unfolded. The death of Absalom, Amnon, rape of Tamar and Absalom’s usurp of the throne and rape of David’s concubines was the calamities brought upon by God on him.
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’ ”
(2 Sam 12:11-12)
Another character in this chapter that is of focus is Joab. I wonder what are your opinions of this man? In my opinion and study of this character, I come to a conclusion that Joab is very unlike David. He was not a man after God’s heart and was unrighteous in his deeds. Joab is in fact David’s nephew and is the son of David’s sister Zeruiah. In the preceding chapters, Joab was made a commander of David’s army and he rose in ranks quickly.
However, in order to establish his position as a commander, perhaps in today’s term is the Chief of Armed Forces, he deliberately underhandedly murdered Abner who was the right hand man of Saul who wanted to defect to David. Moreover, when David instructed Joab to put Uriah in the fiercest battle front, Joab did it without hesitation for in fact he was never righteous in the first place.
Joab was also a sly fox and in order to gain favour from David, he brokered for peace between David and Absalom. When David ordered all his men not to harm Absalom, it was Joab who murdered the king’s son who was helplessly stuck on the tree.
Why did he not follow David’s instruction? It was not explained, but perhaps there could be a few reasons. One reason could be Joab was very jealous of Absalom and felt humiliated to save Absalom who rebelled against David. He could have feared that if he kept Absalom alive and if Absalom returned to David and they made peace, Absalom could be a threat to his power and status in David’s army. The last conjecture could be that Joab was responsible for bringing Absalom back and that now Absalom had became a bad egg and a disgrace to him, he decided to cover this mistake by killing Absalom.
Joab is a classic example of human behaviour especially in a competitive environment like in the office.
Joab will go all out to please the ‘boss’ and would do underhanded tactics to secure his position either by backstabbing others or covering his mistakes. His motives are clearly personal and he is unemotional and unhesitant in destroying others.
As Christians, do we behave like Joab in the work place? Do we follow the footsteps of other of our colleagues in doing unrighteous deeds in order to elevate our status or positions in the office? We have to be careful and watchful as it is easy to be caught in such a snare. We ought to be like David, to seek after God’s heart and if we have done something wrong, we have to be brave enough to admit our wrongs and face the punishment be it from men or from God.
As a concluding verse for encouragement,
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. “
(1 Tim 6:11)
One Comment
PS
The conversation between the man and Joab is very interesting:
2 Sam 18:12 But the man said to Joab, “Though I were to receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!”
2 Sam 18:13 “Otherwise I would have dealt falsely against my own life. For there is nothing hidden from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me.”
Although his name was not recorded here, the man displayed distinguished wisdom which we can learn.
i) He was a good discerner of character. He could see through the insincerity and craftiness of Joab. He rebuked Joab frankly that Joab was a double-face person. Although Joab said that he would reward the man if he killed Absalom, the man knew that Joab would be the first to point finger at him if he really killed Absalom.
ii) He heard the concern of his king and he was mindful of his king’s words.
Do i take heed to my King’s words as closely as this man?
Do i discern my daily life with as much shrewdness?
The Holy Spirit is my Counsel in both. m i mindful that i belong to Lord Jesus? (John 17:15-17)
Joab was not only crafty, he was cruel. He killed Absalom by thrusting three spears into Absalom’s heart. (2 Sam 18:14-15) Then he allowed the ten younger men who bore his armour to surround Absalom and struck him. 2 Sam 18:15 recorded “…and killed him.” Absalom might not have survived three spears thrusted into his heart. The ten men were shaming his body.