2 Samuel 17:24-29
24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
25 Absalom put Amasa in command of the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who had relations with Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.
26 And Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27 Now when David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim,
28 brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, roasted seeds,
29 honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him, to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry and exhausted and thirsty in the wilderness.”
David and Absalom in the East of Jordan
Arriving at Mahanaim
Even if we believe in God, unexpected hardships and trials will come upon us. However, in the midst of any trial, God will never leave us. Not only that, but a helping hand will also be extended from an unexpected place. David, who had fled from Jerusalem, crossed the Jordan River and arrived at Mahanaim. (1) This was the place where Ish-bosheth had once established his capital. David used it as a base to prepare for battle. (2) Absalom also crossed the Jordan River after assembling a large army. Because Hushai’s advice had worked effectively, David was given time to regroup and prepare his forces. (3) The commander on David’s side was Joab. Following that example, Absalom appointed a man named Amasa as his commander. Amasa was a cousin to both Absalom and Joab. (4) Absalom set up camp in the land of Gilead in preparation for battle. With this, both sides were ready for the clash.
Unexpected help
How deeply David’s heart must have been wounded, having been betrayed by his own family and now forced to engage in a battle against his own flesh and blood. At that moment, a helping hand was extended to David from an unexpected place. Three individuals came to visit David, bringing with them a large amount of supplies. The three individuals were: (1) Shobi the Ammonite, whose brother had once fought against David, (2) Machir, who had cared for Mephibosheth, (3) and Barzillai the elderly man. A long list of the supplies brought that day is recorded: “beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, roasted seeds, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him, to eat.” For David, who had left Jerusalem without any food provisions, this was the most precious gift of all. What these three men did was recorded in the Bible for all time. Now, let us recall these words of the Lord Jesus: “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me” (Matt. 25:40). A life of aiming to be an unexpected helper is a life full of adventure and blessing.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please use me as an unexpected helper. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.