2 SAMUEL 19 – RETURN OF THE KING- WHY WE CAN’T WAIT TO FOLLOW JESUS

Return of the King – Why We Can’t Wait to Follow Jesus

2 Samuel 19:14-15 (CSB)

¹⁴ So he won over all the men of Judah, and they unanimously sent word to the king: “Come back, you and all your servants.”

¹⁵ Then the king returned. When he arrived at the Jordan, Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and escort him across the Jordan.

Introduction

• Have you ever stood at a funeral
• Or in the wreckage of a broken relationship and thought:
• “If I’d only acted sooner…”
• That ache in your chest—
• The one that comes from regret—
• That is the weight of this moment in 2 Samuel 19.
• Because sometimes,
• It’s not just that we didn’t act in time—
• It’s that we knew what we should’ve done,
• And we still waited.
• We delayed.
• We hoped for another moment.
• But eventually, the window closes—
• And we’re left to face the cost of delay.
• King David is returning
• After being driven out of his city by his own son.
• The people who once rejected him
• Now scramble to get back into his good graces.
• Some are filled with guilt.
• Some with excuses.
• A few never left his side.
• And now,
• They all must decide—
• How will they respond to the returning King?
• But this is not just another story about David.
• This is a shadow of something greater.
• Jesus, our true King, is also returning.

Acts 1:11 reminds us (CSB)

“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

• He’s coming back.
• The King is on His way.
• And just like the people in David’s day,
• We’re all deciding—
• Will we follow Him now,
• Or will we wait until it’s too late?
• And we don’t have to wait until that final day to respond.
• We’re already making our decision in how we live now—
• With faith, with service, or with delay.
• But before we go on… Why does Jesus’ return matter so much for believers?
• Because His return is the fulfillment of every promise God has made.
• It’s when justice will finally be done.
• It’s when pain will be erased.
• It’s when the King we’ve been trusting in will reign in full.

Revelation 21:4 tells us (CSB)

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.”

• That’s not just a good verse to remember—
• It is one of our greatest hopes.
• His return reminds us
• That our faith is not in vain.
• That what we do now really does matter for eternity.
• And that no matter how dark the world becomes,
• The light is coming.
• And here’s where it matters most for us as a church:
• We’re not just responding as individuals.
• We are part of a mission.
• New City Church exists in a city
• Where tens of thousands don’t know Him.
• They’re not waiting for Jesus
• Because they don’t even know He’s coming.

Matthew 9:36 (CSB)

“When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.”

• They’re distressed & dejected.
• This sermon isn’t just about how you and I respond—
• It’s about whether we will help someone else respond.
• Whether we’ll stay on mission.
• Whether we’ll live like Jesus is coming back—
• And that our neighbors need to know
• So, the question isn’t
• Just how they responded when David returned—
• The question is how we will respond when Jesus returns.
• Because every person in this room will respond in one of three ways.
• Some will delay and try to rush in at the last second.
• Some will remain faithful even when it’s hard.
• And some will serve humbly behind the scenes,
• Expecting nothing in return.
• These three pictures show up in 2 Samuel 19—
• And they still show up in the Church today.
• So, let’s begin with looking at the first one—
• A man named Shimei—
• Who teaches us what happens when we wait too long.
• Let’s look at

Shimei’s Regretful Return – Some Will Scramble

2 Samuel 19:16–20 (CSB)

16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17 There were a thousand men from Benjamin with him. Ziba, an attendant from the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants also rushed down to the Jordan ahead of the king.
18 They forded the Jordan to bring the king’s household across and do whatever the king desired. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell facedown before the king
19 and said to him, “My lord, don’t hold me guilty, and don’t remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart.
20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. But look! Today I am the first one of the entire house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.”

• You may remember
• Shimei was the same man
• Who mocked and cursed David when he fled Jerusalem.
• In 2 Samuel 16
• It says He threw stones,
• Shouted accusations,
• And called David a murderer.
• He had no fear when the King was down—
• But now that David is returning to power,
• Everything changes.
• Shimei is scrambling.
• He throws himself at David’s feet,
• Begging for mercy.
• But not because he loves the King—
• But because he’s afraid of what will happen.
• He’s not motivated by devotion—
• He’s motivated by self-preservation.
• How many of us treat Jesus the same way?
• We live like the King isn’t coming.
• We delay surrender.
• We ignore conviction.
• We tell ourselves we’ll get serious “someday”—
• But when crisis hits, we come running.
• We treat church like a lifeline, not a lifestyle.
• We reach for Jesus only when our world is shaking—
• But ignore the King when things feel safe.
• But Jesus told a parable
• About people like Shimei—
• Those who wait until it’s too late.
• Those who look ready on the outside
• But haven’t truly prepared for His return.
• Listen to what Jesus said:

Matthew 25:1–13 (CSB)

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom.

² Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

³ When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them;

⁴ but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps.

⁵ When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’

⁷ “Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.

⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “The wise ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell oil, and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.

¹¹ Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’

¹² “He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you!’

¹³ “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.

• Did you catch that?
• The door was shut.
• That’s what’s at stake.
• Shimei almost missed the King entirely.
• And some people today are doing the same.
• Waiting to get right with God until they have no other choice.
• Jesus also warned
• About what would happen before His return—
• Not just that some would delay
• But how many hearts would grow cold.

Matthew 24:10–13 (CSB)

¹⁰ Then many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another.

¹¹ Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

¹² Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.

¹³ But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

• That’s not just talking about the world—
• It’s talking about people who were once in the Church.
• People who once loved the King…
• But their love went cold.
• People who once served… but quit.
• People who once obeyed… but compromised.
• And many of them didn’t fall away in a single moment—
• They drifted slowly… through delay.
• And there is a need for Repentance
• Real repentance is surrender.
• It’s when your heart turns toward the King—
• Not because you got caught,
• But because you’ve seen His kindness.

Romans 2:4 (CSB)

“Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”

• God is not waiting with lightning in His hand—
• He’s waiting with love.
• His patience isn’t permission to keep running—
• It’s a window to come home.
• He doesn’t owe us that window—He offers it freely.
• He tells us in

2 Corinthians 6:2 (CSB)

“See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!”

• There will be a day when it’s too late—
• But today is not that day.
• Today, the King still receives us.
• Today, grace is still extended.
• Today, mercy is still real.
• But there will be a day when both are no more
• Sadly,
• Too often
• We only look for grace and mercy when we hit rock bottom.
• But we don’t have to wait
• To meet with him
• Until everything is destroyed
• He doesn’t just rescue us after the crash—
• He offers to walk with us
• So we don’t crash in the first place
• Jesus didn’t die to be our backup plan—
• He died to be our Savior and King.
• He didn’t rise again
• So that we would only reach for Him when everything breaks—
• He rose to offer us life before it does.
• He’s not trying to just manage our panic—
• He wants to lead our lives.
• He wants to be our King
• And His grace is big enough to catch us at our lowest—
• But it’s great enough to call us before we fall.
• Shimei hoped for mercy—but hoped too late.
• The gospel says we don’t have to guess.
• We don’t have to scramble.
• Jesus offers us relationship now—
• Before the door shuts.
• Don’t wait for your life to fall apart before you trust Him.
• The King is coming—
• And how we live now shows if we’re ready.
• Our city is full of Shimeis.
• People who are far from God—
• Living like the King will never return.
• People who will only consider eternity when it comes crashing into their world.
• But God’s plan to reach them isn’t panic—it’s people.
• His plan isn’t crisis—it’s you.
• Who in your life is far from God but close to you?
• Who needs the gospel before they hit rock bottom?
• Who are you praying for by name this week?
• Don’t wait for them to scramble—go before they break.
• We don’t want them to panic when Jesus returns—
• We want them prepared.
• Not everyone waits until the last second.
• Not everyone scrambles in panic.
• Some people stay faithful—quietly, consistently—
• Even when life is hard,
• Even when they’re misunderstood,
• Even when no one is watching.
• And that kind of faith doesn’t always make headlines.
• But heaven notices it.
• The next person we meet is nothing like Shimei.
• He didn’t run in fear—he waited in grief.
• He didn’t scramble—he stayed.
• His name is Mephibosheth,
• And his story shows us what it looks like
• To remain loyal—when everything else is falling apart.

Mephibosheth’s Loyalty – Some Will Stay Faithful

2 Samuel 19:24–30 (CSB)

24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.
25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you come with me?”
26 “My lord the king,” he replied, “my servant Ziba betrayed me. Actually your servant said, ‘I’ll saddle the donkey for myself so that I may ride it and go with the king’—for your servant is lame.
27 Ziba slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God, so do whatever you think best.
28 For my grandfather’s entire family deserves death from my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. So what further right do I have to keep on making appeals to the king?”
29 The king said to him, “Why keep on speaking about these matters of yours? I hereby declare: you and Ziba are to divide the land.”
30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has come to his palace safely, let Ziba take it all!”

• If Shimei shows us the panic of scrambling at the last minute—
• Mephibosheth shows us the power of quiet faithfulness.
• Remember his story

2 Samuel 4:4 (CSB)

“Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was disabled in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nanny picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.”

• He was dropped as a child.
• Crippled for life.
• Raised in hiding as the grandson of a disgraced king.
• But grace changed everything.

2 Samuel 9:1–7 (CSB)

David asks, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family that I can show kindness to for Jonathan’s sake?”
Mephibosheth is brought before David.
Instead of punishment, David restores his family’s land and gives him a seat at the royal table.

2 Samuel 9:11 (CSB)

“So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table just like one of the king’s sons.”

• And now in chapter 19, David returns to Jerusalem—
• Mephibosheth comes out to meet him—
• Dirty, unkempt, grieving.
• He hadn’t trimmed his beard.
• He hadn’t washed his clothes.
• He’d been waiting—
• Mourning the absence of the king.
• David asks: “Why didn’t you come with me?”
• Mephibosheth responds: “I tried. But my servant betrayed me.”
• “You can take everything away. I’m just glad you’re home.”
• That is loyalty.
• He didn’t care about the land.
• He didn’t care about his name.
• He didn’t even try to defend himself.
• He just wanted to be near his king.

Galatians 6:9 (CSB)
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”

• Mephibosheth reminds us that:
  • Faithfulness isn’t always flashy.
  • Sometimes the most faithful people are the least noticed.
  • But they remain steady—quietly, consistently devoted.
• He didn’t need vindication—he just wanted the King.
• In a world obsessed with proving ourselves
• Through identity not rooted in Jesus
• Mephibosheth teaches us
• That presence with the King
• Matters more than possession of the kingdom.
• Some of you are walking through seasons of feeling overlooked
• You’ve been faithful—but felt misunderstood.
• You’ve served, prayed, given, stayed the course—
• But you think no one sees.
• Hear this: God sees.
• And this is what I learned from Pastor Sam
• If God sees…then he has not delayed, overlooked, or misunderstood
• He knows exactly where you are and
• And When He is ready…He will use you for his purpose
• So, continue to stay faithful while you wait
• Lay down pride and ambition and let him finish in you what he started
• In the mean time
• Ask yourself…
• Who in my life is like Mephibosheth—dropped, wounded, forgotten?
• Will my faithfulness make space for them to experience the King’s grace?
• What would it look like to be faithful—
• Even when it’s hard,
• Even when it’s hidden
• Even if God doesn’t open another door for me?
• Mephibosheth shows us the beauty of loyalty—
• Of clinging to grace even when it costs us.
• But not everyone is called to wait in grief.
• Some are called to serve in quiet ways
• That carries the King’s mission forward.
• Some don’t sit at the table—
• They stock the table,
• Support the mission,
• And lift the King up when others step away.
• That’s where we meet Barzillai.
• He’s not flashy.
• He’s not dramatic.
• He’s not trying to be the center of attention.
• But his quiet service helped make the King’s return possible.
• And his example shows us what humble,
• Behind-the-scenes kingdom service really looks like.

Barzillai’s Sacrifice – Some Will Serve Humbly

2 Samuel 19:31–39 (CSB)

31 Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim and accompanied the king to the Jordan River to see him off at the Jordan.
32 Barzillai was a very old man—eighty years old—and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the needs of the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.
33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I’ll provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.”
34 Barzillai replied to the king, “How many years of my life are left that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?
35 I’m now eighty years old. Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?
36 Since your servant is only going with the king a little way across the Jordan, why should the king repay me with such a reward?
37 Please let your servant return so that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him what seems good to you.”
38 The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you, and whatever you desire from me I will do for you.”
39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned to his home.

• If Shimei scrambled and Mephibosheth stayed faithful—
• Barzillai shows us what humble service looks like.
• He’s not trying to gain a reward.
• He’s not climbing a ladder.
• He’s just quietly generous.
• Barzillai had provided for David while he was in exile.
• Not for recognition—
• But because he cared about the King.
• Now, David offers him a place in the palace.
• But Barzillai graciously says:
  “I’m old. I don’t need recognition. Let someone else go in my place.”

Philippians 2:3 (CSB)
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.”

• This is what gospel-shaped humility looks like:
• Barzillai knew his role—
• He served because he loved the King—
• Not for a platform or title.
• And his act of humble service made a way for another—
• Chimham—to walk with the King.
• In our church today, we need more Barzillais:
• People who aren’t chasing influence—but offering it to others.
• People who don’t need credit to keep serving.
• People who say, “How can I support what God is doing here?”
• Barzillai didn’t go to Jerusalem—but Chimham did, because of him.
• That’s the ripple effect of servant-hearted people.
• When you rock babies in the nursery—others meet the King.
• When you set up chairs,
• Greet people at the door,
• Bring donuts,
• Or clean up after service—
• You are creating space for people to experience the grace of Jesus.
• You might not be upfront.
• You might not be seen by everyone.
• But you are absolutely seen by the King.
• Ask your self
• Am I serving humbly?
• Don’t underestimate the power of hidden service.
• Barzillai helped bring the King back home.
• Your faithful service might help someone else come home to Jesus.
• Barzillai reminds us that humble service matters.
• That doing what we can,
• When we can, for the King—is never wasted.
• But even with all the faithfulness of Mephibosheth…
• And all the generosity of Barzillai…
• And even with David back on the throne…
• Something is still missing.
• Because David,
• For all his greatness,
• Couldn’t fix everything.
• He couldn’t stop betrayal.
• He couldn’t erase suffering.
• He couldn’t save the people from sin and death.
• But there is a King who could—
• A King who came not just to reclaim a throne,
• But to redeem the world.
• His name is Jesus.
• And He is the King who does what we could never do.

Jesus Is the King Who Does What We Could Not

• David was a great king—but still a man.
• He led well at times and failed miserably at others.
• He could win a battle but not conquer sin.
• He could return to Jerusalem but not restore broken hearts.
• But Jesus—Jesus is the King David could never be.

Philippians 2:10–11 (CSB)
“So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

• David was betrayed by his son—
• Jesus was betrayed by His people.
• David returned weeping—
• Jesus will return reigning.
• David restored a kingdom—
• Jesus resurrected a world.
• Jesus does what we could never do:
• He lives the sinless life we could never live.
• He dies the death we deserved to die.
• He rises to give us the life we could never earn.
• And one day, He will return—not to a throne in Jerusalem,
• But to take His seat over all creation.
• That’s why the second coming isn’t a side note—it’s our hope.
• Jesus is not staying gone.
• He is coming.
• And He will finish what He started.
• There are 73,000 people in our city
• Who don’t know this King.
• Not just stats—but souls.
• People Jesus died for.
• People Jesus wants to return for.
• He has placed us in this moment,
• In this city,
• Not to play church—
• But to lower lostness and raise the banner of His return.
• We are not here for comfort.
• We are here for mission.
• We are here because the King is coming—
• And the world is not ready.

Conclusion

Revelation 22:20 (CSB)
“Yes, I am coming soon.”“Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

• But until He comes,
• We must live like He’s already here.
• We must serve like we know He’s watching. (Like the anxiety song)
• We must speak like we understand eternity is at stake.
• Don’t be like Shimei—scrambling too late.
• Be like Mephibosheth—faithful even when it’s hard.
• Be like Barzillai—humbly making space for others to know the King.
• Take a moment and pray
• “Jesus, I don’t want to wait. Help me to follow You now.”
• “Jesus, show me who to reach this week.”
• “Jesus, help me get someone in the room before the door closes.”
• Because when the King returns, may He find us:
• Not scrambling—but surrendered.
• Not distracted—but devoted.
• Not asleep—but awake.
• Not playing church—but planting hope.
• Not making excuses—but making disciples.
• The King is coming.
• Let’s live like it.
• Let’s lead like it.
• Let’s love like it.