David-Joab's Rebuke

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 19

From Joab's Journal

I have served King David for a long time. I've worked my way up the ranks until I became captain of his army. 

Not long ago David's son, Absalom, stole the throne from his father. I must admit, I went with Absalom even though I shouldn't have. . .

But I left the moment Absalom gave my position to someone else. That's when I realized my mistake. I went back to David's camp, he accepted me and gave me back my position as captain. What a forgiving man. 

Absalom sent his army after David's soldiers. Two other men and I were appointed by king David to lead his army against Absalom. During the battle, Absalom's hair became caught in a tree. He dangled there like a puppet. To save the kingdom and restore David to the throne, I ran Absalom through with my sword. 

When messengers brought word of Absalom's death to David, he burst into tears, crying for his son endlessly. The entire army should have been celebrating a victory, instead, we all felt like we committed a crime. If David doesn't resolve the issue soon, his army will walk out on him. 

The soldiers crept back into the city, ashamed. Enough, I thought. The kingdom will fall apart if David continues to cry. 

I went to king David's chamber and asked to speak with him. As soon as I had permission I spoke my mind. "Today you have disgraced all your soldiers who saved not only your life but the lives of you wives, sons, and daughters. Your men think you love your enemy more than them. 

"It would seem, my lord, that you if all of us had died and Absalom had lived you'd be happier. I suggest, my lord, you go at once and speak comfort to your army. I promise, if you do not go out and speak with them this very night, it will be worse for you than all the evil that has come to you from your childhood to this day."

David rubbed tears from his eyes and stood. "Very well, Joab."

He went to the city gate and sat there, where the people could come and speak with him. When word went out to the people that David sat in the gate where they could come and speak with him, they were pleased. 

Here is a Psalm we sing, you know it as Psalm 12. NKJV

Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases!
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
 They speak idly everyone with his neighbor;
With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
And the tongue that speaks proud things,
 Who have said,
“With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own;
Who is lord over us?”

 “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the Lord;
“I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”

 The words of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
 You shall keep them, O Lord,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.

 The wicked prowl on every side,
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

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1.  What upset Joab?
2.  How did David's army return to the city?
3.  What did Joab say to David?
4.  What did David decide to do?
5.  Did his choice please the people?