2 Samuel 19:1-8a
1 Then it was reported to Joab, “Behold, the king is weeping and he mourns for Absalom.”
2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, because the people heard it said that day, “The king is in mourning over his son.”
3 And the people entered the city surreptitiously that day, just as people who are humiliated surreptitiously flee in battle.
4 And the king covered his face and cried out with a loud voice, “My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!”
5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “Today you have shamed all your servants, who have saved your life today and the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines,
6 by loving those who hate you, and by hating those who love you. For you have revealed today that commanders and servants are nothing to you; for I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then it would be right as far as you are concerned.
7 Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, no man will stay the night with you, and this will be worse for you than all the misfortune that has happened to you from your youth until now!”
8a So the king got up and sat at the gate. When they told all the people, saying, “Behold, the king is sitting at the gate,” then all the people came before the king.
Joab’s Threat
Intense words
David’s mourning continued. It seems he could see nothing beyond Absalom’s death. As a result, the soldiers who should have returned in a triumphant victory parade came back quietly, as if they were a defeated army. Seeing David overwhelmed with grief, Joab came to protest. He rebuked the king with harsh words and even went so far as to make a veiled threat. Joab said this to him: “What you are doing is nothing less than shaming your servants who have risked their lives and saved the lives of you and your household by winning this victory. You are acting in a way that makes it seem as though you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. Would it have been better for you if Absalom alone had lived and all your servants had died? Now then, go out at once and speak kindly to your servants. If not, not a man will remain with you tonight.” David listened to Joab’s counsel and finally appeared before the people, expressing his appreciation for their efforts.
Joab and David
There may be times when it becomes necessary to offer counsel to someone in a higher position who has clearly made a mistake. Even in such cases, it is essential to choose words carefully and speak with respect. Even gentle words can convey true intent effectively. Joab’s words in this instance were indeed rude and unpleasant to hear. It was he who had disobeyed the king’s command and killed Absalom. This man, who was by nature brutal, seems to have lacked reverence for the king. On the other hand, David did not become enraged by Joab’s harsh words. He was able to discern the lesson within them. Though he likely had feelings of distrust and anger toward Joab in his heart, he kept those emotions contained and appeared before the people. David put into practice the principle of: “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven… A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance” (Eccl. 3). We can learn from both Joab and David. Let us avoid Joab’s arrogance and seek after David’s humility.
Today's prayer
God the Creator, please protect me from the sin of arrogance and the sin of speaking too much. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.