David- The Coming Terrible Battle

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 17, 18

From David's Journal

picture courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

I led those who chose to follow me safely away from the Jordan to the east as Hushai recommended. We needed to hide from Absalom's army.

My son, Abaslom who stole the hearts of many people and my throne planned to attack me and my men with the Israelite soldiers who switched to his side. All of this was crazy. The country should be at peace, not split into two groups fighting each other.

I led my loyal army to Mahanaim. It was a safe city near the River Jabok where Saul's son Ishbosheth once ruled. After his death, the city became loyal to my throne. 

My men and I set up camp there. I received a report from a messenger stating Absalom and his army crossed the river. My heart felt heavy. I didn't want this battle. But Absalom brought it to pass. 

While in the city, a kindly man named Shobi delivered food for those traveling with me. God's provision through a willing soul. He brought beds, basins, pottery and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and cheese. He bowed to me with his gifts loaded on carts behind him. "My lord, your people are hungry, tired, and thirsty in the wilderness.. Please accept my gift."

"Thank you Shobi for helping these your people. Thank you for heeding God's call to bring this gift."

Since Absalom took over the throne, my former chief captain, Joab decided to be loyal to him. Apparently Absalom chose someone else for his captain which offended Joab. 

My former chief captain returned to my camp begging forgiveness. I of course accepted Joab and gave back his position as captain. We numbered all those who came with me and grouped them with captains over thousands and hundreds to prepare for the battle against Absalom and his followers.

The army was divided into three groups, one led by Joab, another Abishai, and the third under Ittai. I prepared to go with the army but the people begged me not to go. They said, "You can't go. If we run away, Absalom's army will not care about us, even if half of us die. But if they captured or killed you, it would be worth ten thousand of us. You, oh king, are now more help to us in the city."

I looked at their pleading eyes. "All right. I will stay." 

I stood by the gate and watched the army pass by me. Before the battle march began, I gave one last command to my captains, Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: "Be kind, for my sake with Absalom." All the army heard me say this last command to them.

On the army marched. Next time we will tell about the battle.

Here is a psalm we sing, you call it Psalm 9 NKJV

I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
 I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

 When my enemies turn back,
They shall fall and perish at Your presence.
 For You have maintained my right and my cause;
You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.
 You have rebuked the nations,
You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

 O enemy, destructions are finished forever!
And you have destroyed cities;
Even their memory has perished.
 But the Lord shall endure forever;
He has prepared His throne for judgment. 
He shall judge the world in righteousness,
And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. 

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.
 When He avenges blood, He remembers them;
He does not forget the cry of the humble.

 Have mercy on me, O Lord!
Consider my trouble from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death,
 That I may tell of all Your praise
In the gates of the daughter of Zion.
I will rejoice in Your salvation.

 The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made;
In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught.
 The Lord is known by the judgment He executes;
The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.

Meditation. Selah

The wicked shall be turned into hell,
And all the nations that forget God.
 For the needy shall not always be forgotten;
The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.

 Arise, O Lord,
Do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged in Your sight.
 Put them in fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah

**************************
1. What side of the Jordan did David lead his men.
2. Why did he choose Mahanaim?
3. Who helped David's men and how did he help them?
4. What captain left David's service to help Absalom but then came back to David?
5. How did David treat the bad captain who left him.
6. Why did the people want David to stay?