Wed.’s Devo - David’s Return/ Jesus’ Return

Read: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120-1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17 David sent word to Zadok and Abiathar to meet with the leaders of Israel and tell them to welcome him back. They were to tell Amasa, the man who had been Absalom’s commander that he would become David’s commander instead of Joab. Amasa and Joab were cousins. When Amasa heard that he would be David’s commander he convinced the men of Judah to return and be under David’s rule again. When David came to the Jordan, Shimei, the same man who had cursed him when he left, was there to humbly seek his forgiveness now that he was king again. Abishai wanted to kill Shimei but David stopped him because it was a day of celebration, not of death. (When Solomon became king, David had him kill Shimei.) For now, Shimei was spared. Mephibosheth was next to meet him. He explained that Ziba had lied about him. He had told Ziba to saddle his donkey so he could leave with David, but Ziba left him. David gave him back half of what he had given to Ziba. Barzillai met David to escort him across the Jordan. Barzillai had met David’s men as they left and supplied them with food and ammunition. David asked him to come with him to Jerusalem where he would provide for him but Barzillai was old and wanted to die in his own home town. He sent his son,Kimham, with him instead. Judah’s troops escorted David back. When the troops from the other tribes saw that they were not included in bringing David back, they were offended and argued about it. Finally Sheba from the tribe of Benjamin blew a ram’s horn and chanted, “Down with the dynasty of David!” He urged the men to go back to Israel so they deserted David. When David arrived at the palace he had his 10 concubines who had been defiled by Absalom put away but provided for. Then he told Amasa to mobilize an army to go after Sheba before he could start a revolution. Joab mobilized a group and met Amasa at Gibeon. Amasa went to greet Joab, but Joab stabbed and killed him. One of Joab’s men called to Amasa’s army and told them to join Joab’s army. They followed but had to pass by Amasa’s bloody body, so Joab covered it so they wouldn’t have to look at it. That is how Joab captured Amasa’s army for himself. In John, Peter returned to what he had done before he met Jesus, which was fishing. He was having no luck until Jesus called out to him from the shore and told him to cast his net on the other side. When they did the net was completely filled with fish. This joggled Peter’s memory of the time Jesus had helped them catch so many fish it broke their nets. He jumped out and headed for shore. Jesus was cooking fish for their breakfast. He even had some bread. All this was to remind them of the miracles he had done with bread and fish. The disciples sat and let Jesus served them. After breakfast, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him more than these. I think he was referring to the 153 large fish he had caught. Peter had returned to what he had done before meeting Jesus…what he knew and loved to do. Jesus was asking him if he could make the shift to catching men instead of fish. He asked him three times which was the number of times Peter had denied Jesus. Each answer erased a denial. Jesus explained that when Peter was young, others decided what he did, but now he had to make the decision about his future. If he chose the destiny God had for him it would end the same way. Men would take him where he didn’t want to go once again. But Jesus beckoned him to “Follow Him.” In other words, follow me to the cross. John ended his book by saying that Jesus did so many miracles that no amount of books could contain the stories. The Holy Spirit had the writers record the ones that were teachable to us. Lord, thank you for how strategic your Word is and how you have given us wisdom for every trial or situation we face. Thank you for your wisdom and grace.