“And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.” (2 Samuel 15:15)
Introduction
Absalom has built a political organization to complete his goal of becoming King of Israel. As with anything political, there are more than two sides. In Part 1 we discussed the people who were in Absalom’s Faction, now we will discuss the people who are in David’s Faction.
King David’s Faction.
Joab. Joab was David’s most trusted General, yet David understood that Joab was not the most forth coming. When the woman of Tekoah had lied about her problems, David knew straightaway that Joab had put her up to it. (2 Samuel 13) David also knew of the Joab’s sin in killing Abner. Joab was not perfect and David was Okay with that.
David’s Household: David took with him his wives and children so that he could protect them from Absalom. With the exception of 10 concubines that he left behind to take care of his household.
David’s Body Guard: From ancient times until today, Kings have had a Body Guard. Typically a select group of fighters that pledge their lives to the King. David’s Body Guard is not one of those who were known for their ability. The Cherethites, Pelethites, and Gittites were mostly Philistines who had come to love David for his piety. They had become part of the Jewish religion, though they were Gentiles by birth. They numbered 600, but were far from a formable force.
Ittai the Gittite: Here was a man that was not from any of the tribes of Israel, in fact, he had been from Gath where Goliath was from.
David realized that Ittai was a new convert from paganism to the one true GOD. Was Ittai strong enough to face the trials that David surely saw coming?
” 19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.” (2 Samuel 15:19-20)
Ittai would have none of this. He promised King David that he would stick with him, no matter what would happen.
The Levites:
“24 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:” (2 Samuel 24-25)
It was not that David didn’t want the Ark with him. It is that David knew the Ark was to be in the tent, in Jerusalem. David also knew that if the Ark was taken out of Jerusalem it would become a target of Absalom. As long as the Ark remained in Jerusalem David didn’t think Absalom would bother it.
Conclusion
King David went from being the most loved person in Israel to riding a donkey into the wilderness. His greatest General was known to manipulate the King for his own purposes.
King David’s Body Guard consisted of Philistines that had converted to follow the God of Israel. Unfortunately, they were too old to do much good.
The Levite priests brought the Ark to follow King David, but King David realized that it was he who should follow the Ark, not the other way around.
Although it appears there are two factions at work in this affair, it gets more complicated.
Stay Tuned…
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