David Waits for News

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Opening Prayer

God of all wisdom and understanding, grant me patience and concentration to discern Your will and an eagerness to obey.

Read 2 Samuel 18:19-33

^[19] Now Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Let me run and take the news to the king that the LORD has vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.” ^[20] “You are not the one to take the news today,” Joab told him. “You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.” ^[21] Then Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed down before Joab and ran off. ^[22] Ahimaaz son of Zadok again said to Joab, “Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite.” But Joab replied, “My son, why do you want to go? You don’t have any news that will bring you a reward.” ^[23] He said, “Come what may, I want to run.” So Joab said, “Run!” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite. ^[24] While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone. ^[25] The watchman called out to the king and reported it. The king said, “If he is alone, he must have good news.” And the runner came closer and closer. ^[26] Then the watchman saw another runner, and he called down to the gatekeeper, “Look, another man running alone!” The king said, “He must be bringing good news, too.” ^[27] The watchman said, “It seems to me that the first one runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” “He’s a good man,” the king said. “He comes with good news.” ^[28] Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” He bowed down before the king with his face to the ground and said, “Praise be to the LORD your God! He has delivered up those who lifted their hands against my lord the king.” ^[29] The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” Ahimaaz answered, “I saw great confusion just as Joab was about to send the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was.” ^[30] The king said, “Stand aside and wait here.” So he stepped aside and stood there. ^[31] Then the Cushite arrived and said, “My lord the king, hear the good news! The LORD has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.” ^[32] The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.” ^[33] The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you-O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Meditate

“You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you…. May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me” (Psa. 69:5-6). God was aware of David’s sin and guilt. Sadly, many were affected by his willful failure.

Think Further

What are Joab’s motives as he sends the victory news to David? Is he concerned about how David will react to the news of Absalom’s death? Perhaps that is why he stops Ahimaaz, a man known to David, who has risked his life in David’s cause (2 Sam. 17:17-22). Instead he sends an unnamed, unknown African. In the gateway, those left behind endure the waiting for news of the battle, but it is clear from the detail of the narrative that David only really cares about Absalom. Ahimaaz obeys Joab and omits Absalom’s death, but the man from Cush only knows that the rebels are defeated, including their leader.

David does not react to his army’s victory. He turns away and hides from everyone to weep and cry out in his anguish. Nathan’s prediction that “the sword shall never depart from your house” (2 Sam. 12:10) is running its course–Amnon and now Absalom. How many more of his sons and comrades will perish? His sorrow is surely intensified by his deep sense of shame (Psa. 51). David is the Lord’s anointed and, through Nathan, God had promised him that his offspring will succeed him and the throne of his kingdom will be established forever (2 Sam. 7:11-13). Perhaps David will only be free from this burden of shame when Bathsheba’s son, Solomon, is anointed king.

As we seek to serve the Lord with our lives, he calls us to serve him in the particular ways where we can use our gifts. Some of my friends have become cross-cultural missionaries. Others are bankers, teachers, and musicians–they are also called to serve as parents and family members. And for all of us there can be tension between private responsibilities and public duty.

Apply

What would you have said to David (or someone else) if you were faced with a similar situation (33)?

Closing prayer

Gracious and holy Father, infuse me with the ability to absorb the hurt others may be feeling. I have received so much from You and I want to share that love with others.

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