The Return of the King

Text: II Samuel 19:15-39

 

I.          King David’s son, Absalom, had lead a successful revolt against the king

             A.         David had to flee for his life - II Samuel 15:13-14

             B.         It was a time of great confusion as people did not know who would eventually succeed. Loyalties became divided.

             C.         Some left with David. Some David sent back because their duties required it. Some David sent back to serve as spies or to give bad counsel to the false king.

             D.         Eventually, Absalom is killed and David returns to his rightful throne

                          1.          It was not a happy return.

                          2.          David loved his son and he grieved over his death

             E.         As David returns, he is met by several as he was about to cross the Jordan back to the main territory of Israel

II.         Shimei

             A.         Shimei had turned on David as he fled - II Samuel 16:5-13

                          1.          Shimei was related to Saul, whom David had succeeded as king.

                          2.          He had no love for David, seeing him as a usurper of Saul’s throne.

                          3.          To Shimei, David was getting his just desert.

             B.         David’s reaction was admirable - I Peter 4:12-16

             C.         Now David is returning to power and Shimei realizes that he had made a grave error - II Samuel 19:19-20

                          1.          Shimei and his family helped David cross the Jordan - II Samuel 19:16-18

                          2.          Abishai wanted Shimei killed, but David refuses - II Samuel 19:21-22

                          3.          You see many rejoiced at David’s overthrow. If David returned taking vengeance on all, the kingdom would remain in an upheaval as men fought for their lives. News of David’s mercy would spread and bring stability.

             D.         While David did not allow Shimei to die, yet he did not forget - I Kings 2:8-9

                          1.          Solomon restricts Shimei’s movement - I Kings 2:36-38

                          2.          Three years later, Shimei violates the terms while hunting down two runaway slaves

                          3.          Solomon’s pronouncement - I Kings 2:42-46

                          4.          Like David’s mercy to Shimei earlier, Solomon’s justice to Shimei also created stability, but for a different reason. Solomon showed himself to be a fair, but strong leader.

             E.         Shimei illustrates God’s use of the evil to produce good - Romans 8:28, 31-39

III.        Ziba

             A.         Where Shimei was a man with a foul tongue, Ziba was a sweet talker - II Samuel 16:1-4

                          1.          Ziba, a servant of Mephibosheth, brought supplies for David and a story.

                          2.          In reward, Ziba was given all the property of his master.

                          3.          In this David made a mistake, letting the much needed supplies blind him to seeking all sides of a story. Mephibosheth was punished without the ability to defend himself.

             B.         Ziba was among those who welcomed David back - II Samuel 19:17

             C.         But so did Mephibosheth - II Samuel 19:24

                          1.          You see Mephibosheth was a crippled man

                          2.          His mourning was obvious

                          3.          Mephibosheth’s defense - II Samuel 19:25-28

             D.         Here was a man who appreciated David’s kindness

                          1.          He was a humble man, who refused to protest David’s unjust treatment of him.

                                       a.          What a contrast to Ziba’s accusation that Mephibosheth was looking to become king.

                          2.          David sought to correct his error by restoring the original grant of Mephibosheth’s estate - II Samuel 9:9-11

                          3.          Once again we see Mephibosheth’s humility - II Samuel 19:29-30

             E.         David broke the law of God - Deuteronomy 19:18-19

             F.         But we can learn from Mephibosheth’s example - Philippians 4:11-13

                          1.          Could you show such an attitude in the face of injustice?

IV.       Barzillai

             A.         Barzillai is also a man whom David met as he fled - II Samuel 17:27-29

             B.         He was an old man, but that did not stop him from aiding the king, nor from traveling just to see the king return - II Samuel 19:31-32

             C.         For his deeds he was offered a fully funded retirement - II Samuel 19:33

             D.         But Barzillai declines the offer - II Samuel 19:34-36

                          1.          He has reached the end of his days and he was not ashamed to admit that he was growing old - Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

                          2.          What was being offered, Barzillai wisely realized was not something he would be able to enjoy

                          3.          Nor did he want to burden others as he declined in health

                          4.          Enjoyment for him would be to die among his family

             E.         Barzillai spent his final days helping others

                          1.          He brought aid to David in his time of need

                          2.          He came just to see David cross back over the Jordan

                          3.          He asked that any reward due him be passed to another, Chimham - II Samuel 19:37-38

                          4.          He was well off and lived the proper life - I Timothy 6:17-19

             F.         He bore fruit in his old age - Psalm 92:12-15

             G.         David remember him well until his own death - I Kings 2:7

V.         Our King left, rejected by his own people. One day he too will return and all will meet him - I Thessalonians 4:13-18

             A.         We did not see him leave, but how we live our lives shows our treatment of him - Matthew 25:37-40

             B.         Hebrews 6:10 - He will not forget

             C.         When our King returns, what manner of servant will he find in you?

                          1.          Evil and profane

                          2.          Sly and cunning

                          3.          Humble and content

                          4.          Wise and generous