I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Samuel 16-17.

    I want to note, but not actually comment on, what Ziba said to David about Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul. Ziba said that Mephibosheth thought he was going to get the kingdom which his grandfather had ruled back. In a few chapters, Mephibosheth tells David a different story. This is followed by the story of Shimei cursing David as he flees. This is another story to be revisited later. However, there is a lesson to be learned from David’s reaction here. While David was down in this situation, fleeing for his life from his own son, he still had sufficient power to hurt, even to kill, Shimei. As a matter of fact, Abishai, who was David’s nephew and one of his military leaders, wanted to go over and kill Shimei. David ordered Abishai to leave Shimei alone. Since his own son was trying to kill him, David did not feel that he could blame someone else, someone who had some status as a result of David rising to power, for reveling in his downfall. The lesson for us is that we should not lash out at others when we suffer setbacks, especially serious ones.

    When Absalom arrived in Jerusalem, Ahithophel advised him to sleep with David’s concubines, who had been left to maintain the palace while David fled. There are several places in the Bible where the symbolism involved in this action is referenced. Earlier, when Ishbosheth, Saul’s son and successor, accused Abner of plotting by sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines. The later, when Adonijah tried to marry the last of David’s concubines in order to develop a claim to the throne to challenge Solomon. Absalom was quite willing to follow this advice.
    However, Ahithophel also advised Absalom to send him out with a band of men to pursue King David before he could get organized. Absalom was not as willing to follow this advice and turned to Hushai to see if he agreed. Hushai had wanted to accompany David as he fled, but was told by David that he would be a burden on the fleeing men so he should return and give Absalom bad advice. Hushai openly played on the reputations of David and his men, but he also subtly played on Absalom’s desire to be seen as a great leader. Hushai’s advice was to wait and gather the full army to pursue David and for Absalom to lead that pursuit himself. God used Absalom’s selfish desire for glory to thwart the good advice which he received.
    In this passage we see the contrast between David’s successful leadership style and Absalom’s failed leadership style. David humbly accepted being taunted when he lost. As a result, he did not delay to take revenge and was able to make his escape. Absalom, on the other hand, wanted the glory of being the one to defeat his father and so allowed David to escape and regroup.