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31 And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king! For the Lord has delivered you this day from the hand of all who rose up against you.” 32 The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man.” 33  And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

We never rejoice over the downfall of others. Absalom set himself against not only his father, but God Himself. His destruction was assured as a result. David grieved because his son had gone his own way. David was a real parent who was more than willing to take the punishment for his child, but he could not. Neither can (should) we. Everyone has to live with the consequences of our own choices. We don’t help our children when we spare them the blessing of being hurt by their mistakes. Let them fall early, and they won’t crash as hard later.

When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, “Why have you brought these?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who faint in the wilderness to drink.” 3 And the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.’” 4 Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” And Ziba said, “I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king.”

God blesses loyalty. Do what is right, follow Jesus, and you will be rewarded, far beyond what you could imagine or even hope. 

And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.”

It took 4 years, but Absalom was able to sow dissension against David the king. Every person who heard that King David didn’t care about their concerns should have checked for themselves, but most didn’t, and David’s reputation became that he wasn’t there for his people, but he was. Don’t take anyone’s word about someone else, you find out for yourself. What a better response to “I heard David won’t see people…” “that’s funny, he saw me…”

9 When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. 10 The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites. 11 And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.”

Having a strategy is not discounting the Lord’s sovereignty. We’re all gifted differently and have had different levels of success in different situations. To divide up the task the Lord has given you is a wise thing. No one can do it all, and we each play our role in the overall plan of God. Find your niche and work at it… but don’t forget your brothers and sisters, they may need your help from time to time.  

Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.”

Jonathan had lived most of his life in his father’s shadow, that’s how it goes for sons of powerful kings. Jonathan felt the draw to follow the Lord’s leading, and he had those with him who were faithful. Wherever Jonathan would go, his armor bearer would follow. It wasn’t just a duty, his heart was with Jonathan’s heart, and Jonathan’s heart was the Lord’s. Whether you find yourself a Jonathan following the Lord’s will, or you are following someone you know has God’s mission as their core, it makes no difference. Both of you will be on the winning side.