13And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. 15And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. 16And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. 17And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. 18And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. 19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? Return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. 20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? Seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. 21And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. 22And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. 23And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
Psalm 3
A psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. 1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. Selah. 3 But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah. 5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. 7Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Selah.
Meditation
It was a solemn day when Absalom, David’s son, caused him to flee from the land of Israel. Though David had truly repented and God had put away his sin from him, there were yet consequences as a result of his behavior. The Lord told David through the prophet Nathan, “Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house” (2 Sam. 12:11). Once again we see the principle of God’s government at work, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). While we generally think of this in a negative way, we should also remember for our encouragement that it is as true of sowing good seed as it is of sowing bad. If we sow to our flesh, we will reap of its corruption. However, if we sow to the Spirit, we reap the enjoyment of the relationships and communion characteristic of the new life that we now possess. “He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal. 6:8).
Though David’s testimony had been weakened, and indeed many were saying, “there is no help for him in God” (vs. 2), David’s faith remains firm. We likewise need to enlarge our shield of faith; such barbs from the enemy are apt to make us falter. In this context, however, it is perhaps better described as the shield of the faithful, for Jehovah is David’s shield (vs. 3). With the Lord standing between us and our troubles, though 10,000 set themselves against us, we do not need to be afraid (vs. 6).
It is beautiful to see David’s crossing of the brook Kidron, weeping with the crowds, head covered and barefoot, submitting to the chastening hand of God (2 Sam. 15:30). David rests upon the grace of God: “If I shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me again” (2 Sam. 15:25). Jehovah is the lifter up of his head (vs. 3). Equally well, David justifies God’s knowing that the discipline is surely deserved. “If He thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him” (2 Sam. 15:25-26). David’s cry is heard out of God’s holy hill; he can rest in peace (vs. 5). His situation had not changed, but through prayer his heart had.
The hearts of the people are revealed in this trial. Those that loved David joined him in his rejection. It was no longer a question of subjects being loyal to their king, but the true affections of the faithful. Among them were many foreigners: the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and the Gittites. Ittai is especially marked out as one that identified with David; there was no thought of him returning to those that had risen up against the King. No, David was everything to Ittai. “In what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be” (2 Sam. 15:21). Keep in mind that Goliath was a Gittite! Ittai had truly been delivered from that prince of this world and was now a follower of the true king. Troubles will likewise reveal the state of our hearts. Is the comfortable position that we enjoy the object of our affections, or is it the Lord Himself? Despite this or that circumstance in our lives, can we with David say, “But Thou, O Lord ... ” (vs. 3)? If we settle down in this world, our hearts must grow cold towards Christ.
We do not await the destruction of our enemies (vs. 7). In a sense, they are already a defeated foe. Rather, we look to the Lord and His coming for His saints, to return in glory with His saints.