Stories and movies sometimes suggest that once the crisis is over everything reverts back to normality and happiness. Perhaps it is better in reality to acknowledge that once the crisis is over, things revert back in some way to how they were before, but with greater suspicion and ruffled feathers to settle. A reminder, indeed, that we are not yet at the end of the big story of history.
Certainly that is the case when we view the outcome of Absalom’s rebellion. Absalom was dead and the rebellion all but over, but David still needed to heal over the wounds. While he could paper over cracks to stabilise his reign, the whole situation had created divisions which would only cause further problems later. Because David was not the Messiah, and a better rule and reign was still to come.
Absalom lay dead and buried, and Israel had fled home fearing the confirmed king’s wrath (v.8). They recognised that David had defeated their enemies, but they had driven him out when they appointed Absalom as king; so how could they get David back on the throne? (vv.9-10)
David recognised the opportunity and wrote to the elders of Judah, via Zadok and Abiathar, inviting them to take the lead in bringing him back. He played on their pride and on their shared tribal relationship (vv.11-12). He even demonstrated his willingness to move on by appointing Amasa, who led Absalom’s army, as his own general (v.13).
In other words, given Judah had been a hotbed of rebellion (which had started in Judah’s city of Hebron), he was willing to bury the hatchet. Clearly his kinsfolk believed him, because he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah” and they turned up at the River Jordan to escort him home (vv.14-15).
Judah weren’t the only ones seeking restoration. Shimei, who had earlier cursed David as he fled (16:5-8), came crawling back as David returned to power (vv.16-18). Shimei acknowledged his wrong (he was now, after all, guilty of treason), but also that he was the first of Joseph’s tribes to acknowledge the true king (vv.19-20). He had also convinced a bunch of Benjaminites to come and acknowledge David too (v.17). So despite Abishai wanting Shimei to get the chop (v.21), David acknowledged pragmatic reality and spared Shimei’s life (vv.22-3).
Next came Mephibosheth, the descendant of Saul whose servant Ziba had indicated had joined the rebellion (16:1-5). Mephibosheth’s appearance displayed this was not the case; his rough appearance was that of extended mourning, not celebration (v.24; a dangerous thing to do in Absalom’s sight). Mephibosheth explained that he had attempted to join David but had been stranded by his servant in Jerusalem; but David should treat him as he wished as he was under his sufferance anyway (vv.26-8).
David somewhat understandably but unfairly split Mephibosheth’s estate in two, because Ziba might be a liar, but he was useful (vv.29-30).
Third came elderly Barzillai, who had courageously and generously supported David (vv.31-2; cf.17:27-9). David wanted to reward him, but Barzillai declined and offered a surrogate instead (vv.33-8). Barzillai was content with his service to God as its own reward, and David was content to honour him as he asked (vv.39-40).
But all was not quite well. David’s procession passed over the Jordan for Jerusalem, but along came men from the northern tribes of Israel asking why Judah was busy escorting him back (v.41). The men of Judah responded that David was their kinsman, and they had not abused this relationship beforehand (v.42).
The men of Israel shot back that David was ten-twelfths theirs, and were first to talk of bringing David back (v.43). Even so, the men of Judah were sharper with their words (v.43). The rebellion might be over, but the bickering amongst God’s People continued.
David had fought a civil war, and needed to mend fences. So David made various calls to attempt to restore or, at least, repair the damage caused by Absalom’s rebellion. But tensions still simmered, as the devil and human sinfulness undermined the kingdom of God’s anointed leader.
The same things happen today in the Church. Disruptions, schisms and arguments, and sometimes compromises to keep or establish the peace. Even when there is relative calm, there is often bickering and arguing over little things between us as the devil and our sinfulness undermines the Church’s peace.
Clearly the Holy Spirit is at work keeping us together. Pray that he continues to grace us with greater love for each other and willingness to overlook past wrongs!
Sadly, this side of eternity, God’s Kingdom in its visible form here on earth will suffer from bickering and compromise. It will suffer from people who move with the tide (Shimei), and whose usefulness can make leaders overlook wrongs (Ziba, regarding Mephibosheth).
But despite this, God’s Kingdom is still advancing and Christ will be victorious. Bickering and compromise will cease, when God’s reign and rule is fully restored over everything.
