Monday's Devo - On the Way to the Throne...

Read 2 Sam 19
Today we read of David's journey back to the throne. He is so sad about Absalom's death that he almost sabatoged his future. He somehow forgot all the people who risked their lives to save him and his kingdom. He was shortsighted and selfish. But, he listened to his leaders and followed their wise advice and woke up. Now was not the time to mourn but the time to lead. The people needed unity because they were very divided in their opinions and loyalty. David's speech brought the unity they needed and they all wanted the king to return. So David crosses the Jordan and comes home. He meets 4 people. The first was Shimei who had cursed him and thrown stones at him when he was leaving. Shimei begged for forgiveness and his life and got it. Then he meets Ziba who was Mephibosheth's servant who lied to David about Mephibosheth's loyalty. Next he meets Mephibosheth who has been waiting and mourning since David left. He clears his name and gets back half of his land. The last man is Barzillai. Barzillai had fed David and his men when he escaped. He tells David he is too old and wants to go back and die in his own city where his father and mother are buried. But instead he sends Chimham his young servant. I think these represent the 4 types of people that God will deal with when he comes back to set up his kingdom. Shimei stands for the one who openly cursed God. David says he can live because this is not a day of judgement. Shimei gets to live for now but is judged in Solomon's reign (See 1 Ki 2:44) The next type is Ziba who tried to win the kings loyalty by good deeds and trickery. He gets a divided portion. David saw some good in him. Mephibosheth gets to present his case and get cleared of all his guilt. He was the faithful one. Barzillai stood for the old tradition. It worked in the past but could not pass over to the new. Instead it sent a new version of itself to the other side in Chimham.
I am always reminded that God does not see men as I see them. Nothing is hid from him. He knows how to shape hearts to Him and he knows how to judge; although his judgements are very slow and he gives us multitudes of times to repent. I pray we take them.