“David Withdraws From Jerusalem”

 “And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.” (2 Samuel 15:13)

Background

Absalom spent 40 years building his political base at the gate of Jerusalem. It was a drip, drip, drip of support for his cause until a deluge of supporters came to his side. Now Absalom is in Hebron and his supporters are spreading the news that he is now King in Hebron. He has staked his claim and is now preparing to move against his father, King David.

Absalom had prepared a guard to move ahead of him with horses, chariots and 50 men willing to fight with him. He goes a step further to deceive another 200 who had no idea what Absalom’s plan was.

“And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.” (2 Samuel 15:12)

Absalom feels safe in the fact that he has deceived the people, and now with the religious leader (Ahithophel) from David’s court he has the force he needs to defeat David.

David Withdraws

“And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.” (2 Samuel 15:14)

The verse says that David tells his servants to “flee”. The question becomes is David running away as in a rout? David does not have a standing army as you would find in Egypt. His armies were called as needed; at this point his men from the wars with the Philistines were old and not exactly fit for war. David also says “make speed to depart”. A “rout” is when a force runs from an enemy without any control or organization. No, this is not a rout, it is a tactical withdrawal.

David leaves concubines to look after his house, moreover, he has the priests remain with the Ark in Jerusalem. David remembers what God had warned him of, and that it is going to be fulfilled.

“Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.” (2 Samuel 12:11)

David is not surrendering Jerusalem to Absalom, he is surrendering himself to God. If it is God’s will, David will return to Jerusalem, if not, he will suffer in the wilderness.

Stay tuned…