David hears that Absalom has won the hearts of the people of Israel and they are coming to make Absalom king. David gathers his family and children and the men that are loyal to him and they flee the city to avoid a confrontation. The priests meet him at the gate with the ark of God, but in 2 Samuel 15:25–26 The king said to Zadok, “Let the ark of God return to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of Yawheh, he will let me return and let me see him in his dwelling place”. David knows that Jerusalem is the place the Lord has chosen so David leaves everything behind, his possessions, his position, and the ark placing his entire trust in the will of the Lord. As they come to the Mount of Olives, they are met with provisions for their journey. And as they continue, they are met with opposition as one man is shouting and cursing in 2 Samuel 16:7 “Go out, go out, you man of bloodshed, you man of wickedness”. David does not react but responds with great grace and says in 2 Samuel 16:12 Perhaps Yahweh will look in my eye and repay good for me in place of his curse this day.
If I Find Favor in the Eyes of Yawheh
2 Samuel 15:24–29
David is fleeing Jerusalem with his wives and children and some faithful men of Judah, some six hundred in number. As they are passing through the gate of the city, David finds the priests are there with the ark in
2 Samuel 15:24 Suddenly Zadok was there, and all of the Levites with him, carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people passed out of the city.
David is the anointed king and the priests intend to follow him with the ark. But David puts God first. The Lord has established Jerusalem as the place of his throne and the ark now rest there. David sends the priest back and is willing even to be separated from the presence of God if that is God’s will in
2 Samuel 15:25–26 The king said to Zadok, “Let the ark of God return to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of Yawheh, he will let me return and let me see him in his dwelling place. 26 But if he says, ‘I take no pleasure in you,’ then I am ready. Let him do to me that which is good in his eyes.
How many leaders are there that would leave their position and power and everything they have and trust God to restore them?
Frustrate the Counsel
2 Samuel 15:30–37
David prayed, simply speaking out these words in 2 Samuel 15:31 “Please frustrate the counsel of Ahithophel, O Yahweh.” and in 2 Samuel 15:32 “suddenly Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him”. David knew what needed to happen and he sends Hushai to stand with Ahithophel and report back to David.
May I Find Favor in Your Eyes
2 Samuel 16:1–4
Ziba is servant, slave to Mephibosheth and sees an opportunity to ingratiate himself to David the king. In David’s time of need, Ziba brings provisions for David and all of his people. And this would be a great act of kindness toward David except that, Ziba lies to David saying Mephibosheth is against David in
2 Samuel 16:3 Then the king said, “Where is the son of your lord?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is living in Jerusalem for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel shall return the kingdom of my father to me.’ ”
Then comes the response Ziba wanted. David gives everything that belonged to Mephibosheth to Ziba in
2 Samuel 16:4 The king said to Ziba, “Look, all that was Mephibosheth’s is yours.” Ziba said, “I hereby do obeisance; may I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”
David doesn’t learn about this deception until he returns to Jerusalem and finds Mephibosheth waiting faithfully for David’s return.
Perhaps Yahweh Will Look in My Eye and Repay Good
2 Samuel 16:5–14
As David and his people fleeing Jerusalem, they passed the Mount of Olives and came to the next town in
2 Samuel 16:5 “King David came up to Bahurim and suddenly a man from there was coming out from the family of the house of Saul, and his name was Shimei the son of Gera. He was cursing as he came out”.
Shimei continued boldly proclaiming with great agitation in
2 Samuel 16:6–8 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David and at all the people and at all the mighty warriors on his right and on his left. 7 Shimei said while cursing him, “Go out, go out, you man of bloodshed, you man of wickedness. 8 Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of the household of Saul whom you have supplanted as king, and Yahweh has given the kingship into the hand of Absalom your son. Look, you are in disaster for you are a man of blood.”
David or any of his men could easily have silenced this man and much of what he was saying was untrue. David had not supplanted Saul as king, it was Saul that held his position as king long after the Lord removed him. But David responds with grace, David doesn’t judge this man, in fact he says in 2 Samuel 16:11 “the Lord has spoken to him”. David knows he has made mistakes and there is only one thing for him to do and that is in
2 Samuel 16:12 Perhaps Yahweh will look in my eye and repay good for me in place of his curse this day.
Has anyone ever spoken evil words over your life? Has anyone spoken a curse over you as this man did over David? Take a moment and forgive them. Let God be their judge and walk away from any self-defense or retribution. Pray and seek the Lord as David did and “ Perhaps Yahweh will look in your eye and repay good for you in place of that curse.
All the Counsel of Ahithophel Was Esteemed
2 Samuel 16:15–23
Yahweh Had Ordained to Frustrate the Good Counsel
2 Samuel 17:1–14
They Searched But Could Not Find Them
2 Samuel 17:15–29
Study Verses
- 2 Samuel 15:24–29 If I Find Favor in the Eyes of Yawheh
- 2 Samuel 16:1–4 May I Find Favor in Your Eyes
- 2 Samuel 16:5–14 Perhaps Yahweh Will Look in My Eye and Repay Good
Today’s Reading
- 2 Samuel 15:24-37
- 2 Samuel 16:1-23
- 2 Samuel 17:1-29