David Returns to Jerusalem - The Book of 2 Samuel

In this Bible Story, Sheba begins a revolt against David, and many people gather to defy him in the streets of Israel. David, knowing that Sheba’s rebellion could topple Israel, sends his strongest men in pursuit of him. This story is inspired by 2 Samuel 19:9-20:13. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.

Today's Bible verse is 2 Samuel 19:15 from the King James Version.

Episode 108: Absalom was dead, but his rebellion was not. So David invited those who were loyal to Absalom to come into his courts, receive forgiveness, and have positions of influence fit for their skills. Just as God was giving him the ability to govern the people into unity, a man named Sheba began a rebellion of his own. David, seeing that this rebellion could be worse than the one they just went through, sent his commanders to deal with it swiftly.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us pray. So the king returned and came to Jordan,
and Judah came to Gilgal to go to meet the
king to conduct the King over Jordan, Second Samuel nineteen fifteen.
My Lord, when thoughts try to invade my mind with
tenacity and grit, I will drive them out, like Joe

(00:24):
ab and Abeshi in Second Samuel nineteen, I will not
give the negative thoughts and ungodly beliefs the time and
space to overthrow the truth of God's word in my heart.
I decree and declare that, like David's mighty men, I
will speak the word of God over those limiting beliefs

(00:45):
and watch them crumble under the weight of your power
and your glory. Lord, When the thoughts seem like too many,
when they seem to come unrelenting, I will not stop
in my pursuit to speak life over my myself and
my loved ones. Like King David, you have set me

(01:05):
in this new life, God, and through the power of
your Holy Spirit, I will conquer and subdue all ungodly
thoughts and beliefs in my mind. In Jesus' name, Amen,
thanks for making prayer a priority in your life. To

(01:26):
hear the Bible Come to Life. Stay tuned for the
Bible in a Year, brought to you by Bible in
a Year dot Com.

Speaker 2 (01:44):
David returns to Jerusalem. In our last story, we witnessed
the short lived coup of Absalom, having just taken over
the throne of David. Absalom's army was defeated in battle
by David's mighty men. Their skill was unmatched, and Absalom
died hanging on a tree. David was so busy mourning

(02:07):
his son's death that he did not comfort or encourage
his people. Joe abb as a good friend, should rebuke
to David. In this story, David's kinship is restored, but
not without resistance from within. Inspired by the Book of
Second Samuel.

Speaker 3 (02:27):
This is Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible
in a Year podcast. In yesterday's episode, Absalom's army was
quickly defeated by David's men, and Absalom hisself met an
early end as he tried to flee from capture. David
was devastated by the death of his son, even though
Absalom had sought to take away his throne and kill

(02:48):
his father. When David's commander in closest friend, joe Ab,
saw how David's sorrow overshadowed his gratitude for all that
his people had done to restore their king. He called
him out, recognized that Joab was right, and finally rose
up to speak to his people. Today, we'll hear about
David returning to Jerusalem to restore his kingship. It would

(03:09):
not be all smooth sailing, as the effects of the
divisions Absalom had brought about continue to be felt throughout
the kingdom. But David will demonstrate what a good king
is like seeking peace with those who opposed him. So
once again, let's listen to God's word. Today.

Speaker 2 (03:29):
Absalom was dead, but the discord and doubt he sewed
into the people was not yet killed. People grumbled and
quarreled among themselves as to whether David should be king
or not. David knew that the only way to settle
the hearts of the people was to settle the hearts
of Absalom's closest followers. He spoke kindly with Absalom's priests

(03:50):
and generals and greeted them with compassion. He spoke with
them about having a place in his ranks and counsel
by his side. Although David was a man of war
or his default was always peace. So David was welcomed
back into Jerusalem, having the full support of those who
were once loyal to Absalom. This function and sorrow still

(04:12):
hid in the shadows of Israel. Slowly people began to
emerge and fall at the feet of David, ashamed of
their treachery. The first among them was a man named Sheemai.
He begged David to forgive him for serving Absalom. Abeshei,
one of David's mighty men, encouraged David to put him
to death. However, David looked at him with compassion and said,

(04:35):
this is not a day for death and execution. Today
I am king of Israel again, so David spared him.
Next was a man named Mephibusheth, Jonathan's son. Aphibusheth was
a crippled boy who used to dwell in the palace
of David. David cared for him deeply and was grieved
when he did not join him when he escaped the

(04:57):
Phibisheth was grieved as well, and said that he was
kept from doing so. David forgave him and restored to
him some land. Some of this land would reside in Bethlehem,
where a certain inn where the stable would be built.
Small disputes continued to arise among the people. The ten
tribes of Israel were angry with Judah because they felt

(05:19):
they had special privileges to the king. So David continued
to navigate the messy politics of pleasing people. He rallied elders,
made treaties, and spoke with clansmen. David was originally a
man made for battle, However, this was a time for
him to be a governor. The nation continued to squabble,

(05:39):
but slowly the people began to heal and experience unity
once again. However, a remnant of rebellion lurked in the shadows.
A man named Sheba waited for his moment to strike.
In the tribe of Benjamin. A loud trumpet could be
heard blowing throughout the streets. Sheba and a small band
of rebels chanted down with the dynasty of David. Rally O,

(06:04):
you men of Israel, down with David. His words began
to catch fire, and men began to join Sheba and
his rebellion. Dozens became hundreds and hundreds became thousands. David
dwelled in Judah, continuing his work among the city. David
sent Amesa, Absalom's old general, and asked him to assemble

(06:25):
an army in Judah. Amesa left immediately, However, he did
not get to Judah in time. David beckoned Abishai and said,
Sheba has the potential to do far more damage than Absalom.
Assemble my troops and drive him out at once. We
must reach him before he fortifies himself. So Abishai and

(06:45):
Joab bended together with David's mighty men. They gathered warriors
and set out to go after Sheba. When Abishai and
Joab reached the outskirts of Judah, they saw Amesa. Amesa
was asked to assemble an army for David, but did not.
This enraged Joab. Joab could see right through Amesa. His

(07:06):
neglect would sabotage David. Joab faked a smile and hit
his dagger under his belt. Joab walked towards Amesa, saying,
Greeting's brother, how are you. The two of them hugged,
and Amesa felt a sharp jolt in his stomach. Joab
whispered in Amesa's ear traitor, and Emesa fell to the
ground with a dagger in his side. Joab and Abershire

(07:29):
left Amesa there to bleed and die. With intent and drive,
they continued their march towards Siba.

Speaker 3 (07:40):
As we begin today, Absalom is gone. His illegitimate reign
was short lived, and David is now returning to the throne.
But though Absalom is dead, the ripple effects of the
lies that he told are being felt. There is division
among the people as to whether David should return to power.
How would King David handle these divisions, the questions about

(08:03):
his own legitimacy as ruler of God's people. There was,
of course, the option of force. David and his mighty
men had shown their power in battle. He could have
easily punished those who doubted his authority. But that wasn't
David's way. It wasn't what was in his heart. David's
heart sought peace with those who opposed him. So he
spoke to the priest in generals who supported Absalom, easing

(08:26):
their concerns and assuring them that they would have a
place at the table. His wisdom and kindness paid off,
and David was able to return to Jerusalem, counting on
the support of those who had backed Absalom. There were others, though,
who had remained in Jerusalem, many of whom had sided
with Absalom, and with David back in the city, they

(08:46):
began to approach begging for forgiveness. One of these men
was a man named Semi, who had chosen to serve Absalom.
We hear his words to the king and second Samuel nineteen,
verse nineteen. Let not, my lord hold me guilty, or
remember how your servant did wrong on the day my
lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king

(09:08):
take it to heart. Can you imagine the memories that
must have flooded David's mind as he heard these words,
for they sounded so much like the words that he
had cried out to God after sins of adultery and
murder came to light. Had not God forgiven him? How then,
could he not show grace and forgiveness to someone who
responded with repentance towards him. Still, David's men urged him

(09:32):
to put to death the traitor, but David stood firm
and forgave this man. His quest for peace and reconciliation continued.
He understood what his son Solomon would one day write
in Ecclesiastes, that there is a time for everything, a
time to kill and a time to heal, a time
for war and a time for peace. This was a

(09:53):
time for peace and restoring peace, and David knew the
future of the nation depended upon it. Others came to David,
and he forgave them, one after another, signaling to the
people that he would not be a vindictive king. In
this new era of his reign, David navigated disputes on
the home front rather than fighting battles with foreign foes,

(10:15):
and slowly the nation began to experience unity once again.
But not all were eager for peace. In Benjamin, there
was a man named Sheba who was sowing dissension, rallying
people to his side. The king understood that his opposition
posed a far greater danger than his son Absalom's ill
conceived coup. David sent joeab Abashi and his other mighty

(10:39):
men to shut down the insurrection brewing in Benjamin. He
also called on Amasa, one of his generals who had
served Absalom but had been pardoned by David. Staying true
to his word that these men too would have a
place in the kingdom. But Amasa was treacherous and had
it in his heart to sabotage the king. Joeab, however,
saw right through it and put Abessah to death. Still

(11:03):
Sheba remained and had to be dealt with swiftly, and
we'll hear more about that the next time. Dear God,
we thank you for forgiveness, your forgiveness of us, that
when we repent and turn from our sins, that we
find complete and total forgiveness because of what you have
done for us in sending Jesus to dial on the

(11:25):
cross for our sins to rise again, that we would
have eternal life. May we not only be forgiven, but
offer forgiveness to others, and may we live in the
grace and the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, in
whose name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to
today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor Jack Graham,

(11:48):
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(12:09):
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