2 Samuel 16
DAVID’S distress brought many into view, of whom perhaps we should not otherwise have learned. Ittai the Gittite and his band of six hundred followers, and the Cherethites and Pelethites, and Hushai the Archite have come before us, testifying their devotion to the dethroned king; Ahithophel had joined the standard of Absalom.
Now appears the servant of the crippled Mephibosheth, Ziba, to see what he can get for himself at the expense of his master. We find in a later chapter the truth of the matter of Ziba’s presence, and Mephibosheth’s absence, but David was just now deceived. He thought Ziba’s kind heart had devised the plan, provided the asses, the bread, the raisins, summer fruits and wine, but it was a scheming, self-seeking mind that had done it, to defraud his lame and helpless master. To make the matter worse, Ziba deliberately lied about Mephibosheth, saying that the kingdom was what he sought, and why he stayed in Jerusalem. Well it is that God is concerned with those that are His; He is their Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble (Psa. 46). For the time, however the deceit and the lie triumphed. All that had been Mephibosbeth’s was to be Ziba’s.
David reached Bahurim on his way to the Jordan, and there came out a man of the house of Saul, Shimei, to curse the king and throw stones at him. Truly David’s cup seemed full as this man shouted his abuse at him. Abishai, Joab’s brother, would have killed Shimei, but David restrained him, saying, “So let him curse, because the Lord hath said into him, Curse David.” It is again the spiritual man that we see in David. Trial brought out in him a heart taught of God. Upon Him his eyes were resting, awaiting the time when sorrow should be turned into joy.
We are taken now, leaving David and his faithful few, back to Jerusalem where Absalom has gone. Hushai, David’s friend is there, and Ahithophel the traitor. Hushai appears to be for Absalom, but his statement in verses 18 and 19 begins with God: the man whom He chose would Hushai serve; if that were the king’s son, he was for Absalom.
Ahithophel is the counselor at first, and his advice was to show to the people that all ties with David were broken. Absalom is exalted; David is rejected, escaping for his life; God is not seen.
Thus for a time, the evil triumphs in this world, as today. So the gospel of the grace of God is “foolishness” to men.
“God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty ....that no flesh should glory in His presence.” 1 Cor. 1:18-3118For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:18‑31).
In due time, as Absalom’s plans came to ruin, the schemes of men to get along without God will be shown in their worthlessness. It will then be seen that faithfulness to Christ has its reward. Have you decided for Christ?
ML 02/13/1927