The first half of this chapter reveals a great deal about the
quality of relationship between leader and people. David, the
shepherd-turned-king, displays emotion that confuses his people. Absalom,
David’s son, had treacherously conspired against his sovereign father to bring
about his downfall. David had issued commands for Absalom not to be killed, but
Joab (the Commander and army General) took justice into his own hands and had
him killed. On hearing the news of his son’s death, David weeps and mourns.
Naturally, the Israelites are confused; it is the fatherly
heart of David that appears to rule, not the head-knowledge of a betrayed king.
Is this the same David that led Israel
David is heatedly challenged by Joab, who says in verse 5
that “today you have humiliated all your men”.
Despite David’s mournful state, Joab maintains his role as army General
and Commander, and speaks on behalf of David’s ‘men’. This must have been difficult
for David to swallow, but judging by his response, it was exactly what he
needed to hear. Joab tells David what to do – “now go out and encourage your
men” (v.7). David effectively does as he’s told, and ‘they all came before him’
(v.8).
David’s personal division had led to division amongst the
people, as verse 9 tells us that ‘throughout the tribes of Israel
As much as Joab’s command to David to encourage his men is
laudable, we must not forget that Joab had actually had Absalom killed against
David’s wishes. Joab was loyal to his image of what King David should look like
– a fierce warrior who would kill his own son to avenge betrayal. This is not
what David’s heart looked like, and we know that David had a heart after God’s
own (1 Sam 13:14). Joab seems to resonate with Judas Iscariot, who believed
that Jesus was Christ the warrior king, and would physically champion the
Romans, and on discovering this was not The Way, betrayed him. Joab is replaced
by Amasa (v.12), David’s nephew; we are given no explicit reason, though we can
reasonably assume it is because David is reforming his close counsel with his
kinsmen, especially as Amasa previously fought for Absalom, and also to punish
Joab for his crimes.
We see in verse 14 that David
‘won over the hearts of all the men of Judah , as though they were one man’. The unity shown by Judah
(Christ Church