By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean, Office for Global Engagement, University of Mobile
RESTORED
2 Samuel 19:1–15
Restoration comes at a cost. Restoring furniture begins with removing the old finish before applying the new. Restoring an ancient landmark may require removal of rubble and broken foundations before rebuilding the structure. Restoring fellowship within a church demands repentance of sin and respect for the authority of God’s Word. David’s reign was restored but at a heavy price.
Mourning (1–4)
Absalom was dead. David’s rebellious son — who murdered his brother, who raised an army to revolt against his father and who shamed the women of the palace — died at the hands of Joab. Though Absalom had dishonored him, David loved his son. The news of his death was devastating to the king.
Instead of trumpets blasting in victory, David’s army returned home in silence, hearing the bitter laments of their king. David wept over the loss of another loved one. Though those close to him sought his life, David did not return evil for evil. He loved Saul and spared him twice. He loved Absalom and gave strict instructions for his men not to harm the prince (18:5, 12). David mourned for his fallen son.
Confrontation (5–8)
Joab, Absalom’s murderer and commander of David’s army, confronted David’s emotionalism with rage. He accused David of loving his enemies and hating his supporters. He also accused David of bringing shame on his own army and treating them as worthless men. He threatened to lead David’s army away if the king did not snap out of it and address the troops. He warned that David’s trouble as a young man under Saul’s pursuit would pale in comparison to the trouble he would face unless he listened to Joab. This general was about to discover that one must be careful what one asks for.
Restoration (9–15)
Perhaps Joab saw David as weak or old or a coward. After all, David was weeping in the midst of victory. He did not want to rally the troops. He ran away from a fight when Absalom came for Jerusalem. Joab was unaware that the king still had plenty of life left.
David took his place among the elders at the city gate, the place for making public decisions for the benefit of the community (Deut. 25:7–8; Ruth 4:1; and Prov. 31:23). Meanwhile, the rumor mill was rampant about restoring the king after Absalom’s death, and David used his connections to regain favor with the people of Israel. He challenged the armies of Judah who had sided with Absalom to return to the king’s service. As his own kinsmen, they belonged with him. Upon their return Amasa would become commander of David’s army. Joab was finished. Mike drop. Checkmate. Game, set and match.
Jesus is our greater David. His compassion for lost sheep far surpasses that of David. His willingness to intercede for and lay down His life for enemies far exceeds David’s mercy toward adversaries. His glorious resurrection demonstrates His undeniable authority over sin and death, which is far superior to David’s restoration to rule over the hills west of the Jordan River.
In Christ God grants us restoration from our fallen state. Through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, we receive the message of reconciliation with God (2 Cor. 5:19). As regenerate followers of Jesus, we are ambassadors — communicators of His restorative work (2 Cor. 5:20). In fact, the purpose for the church is to serve in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18), sharing the gospel of Christ with people alienated from God.
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