A song on one of our CDs at home (remember those?) poses these questions to remind us of the importance of trusting God in good times and bad. “Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings / Yet not welcome any pain? / Shall I thank You for days of sunshine / Yet grumble in days of rain? / Shall I love You in times of plenty / Then leave You in days of drought? / Shall I trust when I reap a harvest / But when winter winds blow, then doubt?”
David would agree with the sentiment of that song. When Absalom rebelled, David took the wise course and left Jerusalem. But his faith in God shone through in his actions, and was encouraged by many who flocked to his cause. David’s flight reminds us of the world’s abandonment of Christ, the true king. It also reminds us that we find encouragement, and give encouragement, when we are supported or give support in times when faith comes under fire.
Absalom had sounded the horn, announcing his rebellion. Many flocked to his banner, convinced by his smooth talk. In Jerusalem, King David recognised that Absalom had seized the hearts of Israel, and fled Jerusalem with his servants (vv.13-17). By doing so, he was also sparing Jerusalem (and the inhabitants who could not flee) from the ravages of war.
David stopped at the outskirts and watched his supporters march out (v.18). As he did, he stopped Ittai, a Philistine from Gath, who was marching out with him despite only serving him a short time (vv.19-20).
Ittai’s response would have encouraged David in that dark hour. “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be” (v.21). This was a double oath, on God and David, that he would stand by David the only real king in that land (not Absalom). His children would share in his fate, come what may (v.22).
While many mourned as David’s people left for safety (v.23), David was also supported by the priests. Zadok and Abiathar, with the Ark (and the Levites), joined David’s flight (v.24).
However, David sent them back. He knew there was no secret talisman to God’s favour and presence. If God favoured David, then David would see God’s place of presence again; if not, then not (vv.25-6).
Instead, David trusted God and trusted that the priests would serve as underground supporters and spies for him in Jerusalem, if God willed it (vv.27-9). Trust in God, use your brains.
Nevertheless, this was a time of sadness, as David ascended the Mount of Olives (v.30). More so when he heard that Ahithophel had joined the rebellion, and prayed that God would turn his counsel to foolishness for Absalom (v.31).
But no sooner has one advisor dumped him than another arrives. Hushai the Archite came to David, saddened at events (v.32). David saw an opportunity. Rather than accompany David, where he would be a burden, David sent Hushai to Jerusalem with instructions to get onside with Absalom and then undermine Ahithophel’s counsel (vv.33-4).
There, Hushai could keep David informed of Absalom’s plans and intent through the priestly spy network (vv.35-6, cf. vv.27-9).
So, a faithful friend and advisor to David, Hushai went home, presumably changed his clothes, and entered Jerusalem just as the victorious Absalom was marching up from Hebron with his entourage to take possession of the capital himself (v.37).
While all seems in a bad way, David could see that all was not lost. God answered prayer by sending Hushai just when David wondered how he could foil the wise counsel of Ahithophel. God demonstrated that the clergy were on his side. God demonstrated that Ittai was with him, even at the potential cost to him and his family when he could have slunk back to Gath unharmed.
These show us that God is with his people in the good times and bad. When we go through tough times, when it seems our faith is under fire, God does not abandon us. God sends us comforters to support and encourage us in the trenches.
And we can support and comfort those doing it tough. When we do so, we are God’s hands and feet to our fellow believers going through troubles.
Because going through troubles is part of this present life. It is part of the effects of sin, and it is part of our sanctification for God’s glory. But it is our road because it was the road Christ walked before us, for our salvation.
Like David, in sin our hearts were swayed away from Jesus, the true King, the one who also wept on the Mount of Olives, but for those who rejected him (Luke 19:41-44) and would soon crucify him.
Yet Christ was faithful unto death for us and our salvation. And through trusting in him, we will one day emerge from the fire, cleansed and purified, faith made sight.
