Sin always has consequences. The latter part of 2 Samuel puts a light on some of those consequences for King David. Though confronted with his sin and confessing it, the life of David and his family was chaos. Amnon violated his half-sister Tamar, which in time brought about his murder at the hands of his brother Absalom. Absalom conspires to take over the throne of his father, which causes David to run for his life.
In the midst of all of this chaos, tucked into chapter 15, there is something that is positive. Absalom, with his charisma, gained the loyalty of a large segment of the people, but not all of them. As David was preparing to escape the city, his servants made a bold statement of loyalty, “Behold your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses” (15:15).
There were groups of people who were ready to march with David despite the setbacks he had experienced. One newcomer to the group was singled out by David. He encouraged him to return to his home and family. His response was, “as the lord lives and as my lord the king lives, there also will your servant be.”
It would have been easy for each of these committed people to desert their leader as so many had already demonstrated, even after he had been forgiven by God. God often uses broken people to show his great love and mercy. Perhaps it was through such loyalty that David was encouraged to direct that the ark of the covenant be returned to the city, as he declared, “If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring us back and let me see both it and his dwelling place” (15:25).
Blessed is the person who has loyal friends. More blessed is the person who is loyal to our God.
Lord, I praise you for the fact that you are my friend who will NEVER leave me or forsake me. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Rev. Irvin Verrill, Dowling Park, Fla.
Extended Scripture: 2 Samuel 13–16 (ESV)
