Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 19-21; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 14

Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom. As all the people heard of the king’s deep grief for his son, the joy of that day’s victory was turned into deep sadness. They crept back into the town that day as though they were ashamed and had deserted in battle. The king covered his face with his hands and kept on crying, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” – 2 Samuel 19:1-4

Joab saw what was happening and he saw ahead to what the outcome of David’s response would be if he continued to put his own feelings ahead of the emotional strength of his army. He saw that the king’s grief was confusing the people, causing them to feel shame instead of rewarding them for their service and loyalty. He told King David to go out and congratulate the troops, so the king came out and took his seat at the town gate. News spread and the people gathered around the king, reinstating David to his rightful place as king.

JOAB STEPPED UP AND SPOKE OUT.

The next few chapters speak of the season of restoration God’s people experienced following David’s response to Joab’s wise advice. Leadership was established and redemptive conversations took place. David’s ten concubines who had been raped by his son, Absalom, were brought to a place of healing where their needs could be provided for and they could be shown great care for the remainder of their lives.

As the Israelites had a tendency to do, the tribes bickered and quarreled amongst each other about timing and rights. One troublemaker named Sheba blew a ram’s horn and tried to rally a group against the dynasty of David. The men of Israel deserted the king to follow Sheba but the men of Judah chose loyalty to the house of David.

Then the king told Amasa, “Mobilize the army of Judah within three days, and report back at that time.” So Amasa went out to notify Judah, but it took him longer than the time he had been given. – 2 Samuel 20:4-5

AMASA STEPPED BACK AND FELL SHORT.

We have a saying in our family, and perhaps you have spoken these same words in your home: Delayed obedience is disobedience. Hesitation in doing what we have been told to do reveals a heart of disloyalty and disregard for authority. Because it was important for David’s troops to act quickly, Amasa was removed from his position of authority (and killed), and Abishai was placed in command.

Meanwhile, Sheba traveled through all the tribes of Israel and eventually came to the town of Abel-beth-maacah. All the members of his own clan, the Bicrites, assembled for battle and followed him into the town. When Joab’s forces arrived, they attacked Abel-beth-maacah. They built a siege ramp against the town’s fortifications and began battering down the wall. But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you.” – 2 Samuel 20:14-16

A WISE WOMAN STEPPED UP AND SPOKE OUT.

Their wall of protection was coming down and this woman knew someone needed to act quickly. Instead of waiting for someone else to do something, she took action for the sake of her community. She got the attention of David’s commander, Joab, and asked him why he would want to destroy such an important town in Israel — a town known as the Mother of Israel. She negotiated an agreement to hand Sheba over to David’s army in exchange for leaving the town in peace. She then lifted her voice above the confusion, getting the attention of her community. She convinced them to cut off Sheba’s head and throw it over the wall to Joab.

THIS WISE WOMAN OFFERED A SOLUTION TO THE CHAOS AND PEACE WAS ESTABLISHED.

Although we will never know her name, this woman’s story can influence us today, just like we can learn from the boldness of Joab and the delayed obedience of Amasa. We can pray for the Lord to give us wisdom, even in the most difficult of situations. Then we can pray for the boldness needed to step out and speak up. Perhaps our words will impact the actions of others, going as far as to save lives or establish peace among God’s people.

There was a famine in all of Israel that had lasted three years (21:1). David asked the Lord about it, and He revealed that it was due to an injustice committed against the Gibeonites (those who were left from the nation of the Amorites). The blame for this wrongdoing did not land on David, yet the king took steps to amend the situation in order to bring restoration to the people the Lord had called him to lead. He took action and the time of famine among God’s people ended.

DAVID MADE A DIFFICULT LEADERSHIP DECISION AND JUSTICE WAS GIVEN.

Lord, help us to lean in and listen closely to what you would like to accomplish through us today. Give us wisdom for the position to which we have been called and give us compassion for those who have experienced injustice. May we respond immediately in those moments when you have given us courage to step up and a voice to speak out. Use us to bring peace among your people so that the voice of the Church can rise up and praise you! Amen.