I've been reading through 1 and 2 Samuel in my quiet time lately and this morning I was in 2 Samuel 14-16. This passage covers part of the time when David's son Absalom was in rebellion against him. If you need to brush up on this story, I'd encourage you to read starting in chapter 13, or - if you want even further background context - starting in chapter 11.
Basically, in chapter 14, David welcomes his exiled son Absalom back to Jerusalem. Absalom had been exiled because he had murdered several of his brothers in an act of revenge. David, though he had suffered great loss at his hand, still loved Absalom and was persuaded to allow him to return to Jerusalem. Eventually, after two years of living in Jerusalem, Absalom was even allowed to go before the king.
In chapter 15, the yet ungrateful Absalom begins to conspire against David. Standing outside his father's gate, he would tell the people who came with matters to be judged by the king that they would not find true justice unless they came to him instead of his father David. His efforts prevailed and the hearts of the people began to turn from David to himself.
Ultimately, through lies and deceit, Absalom rallied an army of support, ready to seize the throne. David was forced to flee from Jerusalem with his household and those who remained loyal to him. He left behind a palace and a throne that was rightfully his and headed out for the wilderness, all-too-familiar from his days of running from Saul.
But what really struck me in this passage as I was reading this morning was what happened in chapter 16. As David and those with him went on their way, fleeing from Absalom, a man of the house of Saul came out and began calling down curses on David. In a demonstration of passion and loyalty, one of David's men asked for permission to cut off the man's head. How dare someone curse the God-anointed king!
David's response? Taken from verses 10-12, "If he curses, and if the LORD has told him, 'Curse David,' then who shall say 'Why have you done so?' . . . Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him. Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day."
Instead of taking the situation into his own hands and lashing out, David made the choice to wait. He had confidence in the righteousness of God and believed that the LORD's justice would prevail. Whether that meant truly being cursed, as this man threatened, or perhaps having his kingdom restored to him one day, David was content to wait on the LORD in the wilderness in the meantime.
As David and those with him continued on their way, the man followed, calling down curses the whole way. Yet David didn't retaliate. When they finally arrived at their destination they were weary, no doubt physically and emotionally drained, but we read that David was able to refresh himself there.
When I read all that earlier this morning, I began thinking of my own life situation, and how at times I feel like where I'm at right now is not where I really belong. Sometimes it seems like a lonely wilderness. I was forced to ask myself, and have been asking myself all day, "Do I have the confidence and the patience of David to believe so strongly in the character of the LORD that I will walk this wilderness until he brings me home?"
LORD let it be so!Labels: journal/quiet time, reflections