The King Who Reaches Out to Rebels

Scripture Focus – 2 Samuel 19:9-15: “Now Israel had fled every man to his own home. [9] And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom. [10] But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?” [11] And King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king? [12] You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’ [13] And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’” [14] And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, “Return, both you and all your servants.” [15] So the king came back to the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring the king over the Jordan.”

I. People Without A King (9)

A. A people in turmoil – “And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying…”

Nobody to lead them, nobody to protect them, nobody to advise them, nobody to reassure them, nobody to comfort them

B. A people with truth – ““The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the Philistines…”

C. A people of trembling – “…now he has fled out of the land from Absalom.”

The rebellious son led to the king’s withdrawal

II. People Without A Clue (10-12)

A. They chose defiantly (10a) – “Absalom, whom we anointed over us …”

Hosea 10:13 – “You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way…”

B. They chose poorly (10b) – “Absalom…is dead in battle…”

Galatians 6:7-8 – “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. [8] For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

Romans 8:13-14 – “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

C. They chose negligently (10c-12) – “Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?…Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king? [12] You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?”

III. People Without Condemnation (13-15)

A. A personal question (13) – “And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’”…”

See 17:25 – Amasa had previously betrayed and fought against David

1. His relational reminder – “Are you not my bone and my flesh?” Do we not belong together?

2. His gracious promise – “God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on…” I have a place for you!

B. A powerful conviction (14a) – “And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man…”

C. A spiritual decision (14b) – “…they sent word to the king, “Return, both you and all your servants.”

D. A joyful reunion (15) – “So the king came back to the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring the king over the Jordan.”