I have more questions than before after reading this…
Nevermind trying to jot down a few lessons today. Instead, I want to write down a couple of questions, and maybe someone out there can answer them..
Why did Joab feel that David “loved those who hated him, and vice versa”? Was that only because of Absalom? And why grieve Absalom? He sounds like a jerk. And then: why replace Joab suddenly? And there’s no mention of Joab being displeased or disputing it! I know that David was increasingly becoming aware that Joab and Abishai (his brother) were gaining power and popularity, and doing things on their own. Was Joab’s counsel to David (to go and greet the men) condescending or angry? Could that be why he had him replaced? Even though the advice was good, maybe David had simply had enough. However, it would seem that he should have loved Joab, and yet he doesn’t….which takes me back to an earlier question.
It amazes me that the nation was divided over such a simple, juvenile dilemma. Think of this: the whole nation of Israel broke apart over an argument about who got to help the king across the river. You have got to be kidding me.
If there were a lesson today, it would be to remember that small arguments escalate into life altering dramas when we don’t know how to handle them correctly. A wise person will spend many hours learning how to communicate and relate to others. Without training, we end up losing friendships and starting wars. I wonder if one simple reason that most churches are small is because we haven’t truly learned how to get along with a larger group of people. Our inabilities could be what keeps the church dividing, and divorce courts in business.
I guess I understand Joab killing Amasa, simply because he was jealous of him. But why would Joab then take the position of commander? How come he isn’t running for his life from David for killing Amasa? It just doesn’t make sense.
Why did God effectively end a famine based on human sacrifice? Or was it simply the sons paying the debt of the father…since Saul had committed an atrocity? And, since God never changes, would this still be acceptable today? Ezekiel 18-19 says that the sins of the father remain with the father, and are not passed to the sons….and the same for righteousness. Did that prophecy end this type of restitution?
David’s mighty men must have been fearsome indeed. And it seems that David was just as powerful in battle. I wonder how old he was when he finally stopped going out?
I am reminded this morning (as I moan and groan and ache) that we aren’t young forever. We’d better learn to work smarter as we age, because there comes a day when making up for wisdom with strength will not be possible. We will have to be wise, or leave it uncompleted.
Faithfully,
PR