“The Life of David – 24” 2 Samuel 16: /30/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles

“The Life of David – 24” As we have seen, this detailed account of a journey from Jerusalem to the desert is a no-holds-barred revelation of the reconstruction of David’s soul. We are permitted to experience everything that occurs in his long process of restoration.

“The Life of David – 24” Nothing is hidden from the reader’s curious eye. But, like most things in life, the vision of triumph is followed by more humiliation. At the lowest point in his life, he is taken advantage of and trampled in the dust.

“The Life of David – 24”  Ziba: Deceptive Generosity (16:1-4). 1 When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine. (2 Sam. 16:1)

2 Samuel 16:2 2 The king asked Ziba, “Why have you brought these?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the desert.”

2 Samuel 16:3 3 The king then asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?” Ziba said to him, “He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back my grandfather’s kingdom.’ ”

2 Samuel 16:4 4 Then the king said to Ziba, “All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” “I humbly bow,” Ziba said. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”

“The Life of David – 24” How often does it happen that when people are at their most vulnerable, the vultures descend & devour their prey? How treacherous, to give gifts that are designed to disinherit the innocent!

“The Life of David – 24”  Shimei: A Storm of Criticism (16:5- 14). 5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. (2 Sam. 16:5)

2 Samuel 16:6-7 6 He pelted David and all the king's officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel!

2 Samuel 16:8 8 The LORD has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!”

“The Life of David – 24” Just when it seemed things could not get any worse, the situation deteriorates further. Shimei is mad because of the brutal murders of Abner and Ishbosheth. David has been guilty of many things in his life, but ironically, this was not one of them.

2 Samuel 16:9 9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”

2 Samuel 16:10 10 But the king said, “What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ ”

2 Samuel 16:11 11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.

2 Samuel 16:12 12 It may be that the LORD will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.”

“The Life of David – 24” David’s faith penetrates beyond the immediate to the true source.  Beyond the face of Shimei, David sees his own angry son;  and behind the voice of a son he hears the voice of the Lord.  Truth is truth, whether it is spoken by the lips of Jesus or Balaam’s donkey.

“The Life of David – 24” So behind Shimei’s curse David hears the Lord’s accusation, and behind the blows he feels the hand of the Lord.  Only the one who is going through the situation can make these connections.

“The Life of David – 24”  If you can be truly humbled by unwarranted abuse, you have entered the graduate school of spirituality. 13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. (2 Sam. 16:13)

2 Samuel 16:13 13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt.

2 Samuel 16:14 14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

Psalms 3:3-5 3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. 4 To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah 5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

“The Life of David – 24” After being pelted by the stones of Shimei’s hate, David sings a song; then he gets into his sleeping bag and goes to sleep. So the king ends his journey at the lowest place geographically, but at the highest pinnacle of faith, a faith so holy it casts our gaze upon his Greater Son, who...

1 Peter 2:23 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

1 Peter 2:24 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

“The Life of David – 24”  Reflecting on the Irony of Pain. As we reflect on this scene of descent, we are struck by the irony of David’s pain.

“The Life of David – 24” It was an ache that made him vulnerable to deception, yet it made him steadfast and pure in the face of hate. His pain was a gaping hurt that blinded him, but that same hurt had imbued him with penetrating vision.

“The Life of David – 24” 2 Samuel 16: /30/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles