Mon.’s Devo - David Leaves Jerusalem

Read: 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23; John 18:25-19:22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 16:10-11 Most of Jerusalem wept and mourned as David and his officers left Jerusalem. If he had stayed there would have been civil war in the kingdom and David didn’t want that so he stepped aside and let his son, Absalom have the kingdom. The priests came with the Ark of the Covenant to follow David, but David sent them back to Jerusalem and told them God willing, he would return. He told the priests to be his spies for him and send their sons to tell him what was going on. Ahithophel, one of David’s advisors had conspired with Absalom. No wonder, his name means “brother of folly.” Hushai, David’s best friend, met him with dirt on his head and torn clothing. David told him to go back to Jerusalem and be an advisor to Absalom and give him David’s advise. He would also be one of David’s spies. Ziba, the one who was in charge of Mephibosheth’s land met David with bread, raisins, fruit and wine for him and his men. When David asked him about Mephibosheth, Ziba told him he he was rejoicing about getting back the kingdom for Saul. Mephibosheth denied this later but at this point, David gave Ziba the land he had given to Mephibosheth. One of Saul’s clan, Shemei met David and cursed him and threw stones at him. Abishai, one of David’s men wanted to go cut off his head but David wouldn’t let him. He said if his own son hated him how much more would this man who was kin to Saul. David continued with his group till they reached the Jordan River where the women needed to rest. Meanwhile back at the palace, Absalom and Hushai arrived at the same time. Absalom wondered why Hushai didn’t follow his father since they were such good friends. Hushai convinced Absalom that he was with him because God was with him. Absalom followed Ahithophel’s advise and set up a tent on top of the palace where he went in to David’s concubines so all Israel could see. This was fulfillment of Nathan’s prophecy to David. This was his punishment for what he did with Bathsheba. In John, Peter denied being one of Jesus’ followers two more times before the rooster crowed. Jesus had been kept up all night in Caiphas’ house for his trial, then was sent to Pilate the Roman governor. Pilate didn’t want anything to do with condemning Jesus and told them to judge him themselves. They told them the real reason they wanted him to judge Jesus. They were not allowed to crucify a person under Jewish law, but he Romans could. They couldn’t even come up with a charge against Jesus. Pilate agreed to see Jesus and had to ask him what he was guilty of. He asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews and Jesus explained that he was king of an unseen kingdom not in this world. Pilate saw that Jesus was not guilty of anything he could sentence him with so he took him back to the people. He proclaimed Jesus “not guilty”. To calm the crowd, he called for Barabbas to stand beside Jesus. Every year at Passover, he would release a criminal from jail. He told the crowd to choose between the two. Barabbas was a total opposite of Jesus. He was an insurrectionist, murderer, and spreader of false religion. The people chose to save Barabbas. The soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus and wove a crown of thorns for his crown. They mocked him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They let him out to the people and the priests led the people in the cry to crucify Jesus. This frightened Pilate who didn’t want to crucify Jesus but the pressure was too great and he finally caved and let them do what they wanted to Jesus. They led him to Golgatha and nailed him to the cross he carried. Two others criminals were hung with him. Pilate posted a sign that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”. The leading priest wanted the sign to say that he SAID he was the king of the Jews but Pilate refused to change it. Both David and Jesus laid down their earthly kingdom for God to give it back to them in his time and by his hand. Lord, help us to lay down our earthly kingdoms for the eternal things that can not be taken from us.