Day 113: 2 Samuel 19-21, Psalms 5,38,42

Joab was a remarkable man. I'm beginning to think that David could never have been the great king that he was without Joab. Joab was the only one who actually had the courage to David the truth. Oh, I recognize that David was great because God made him great but I have no doubt that God used Joab to make it happen.

David's son, Absalom had been leading a plot to overthrow his own father and take the throne from him...and this rebellion had been gaining a lot of traction...so much so that David and his men fled Jerusalem for a time. David had commanded his troops to stop the rebellion but to spare his son's life. Joab knew that that would never work so he made sure Absalom was killed. The rebellion was stopped and David and his men returned to Jerusalem in triumph. But instead of rejoicing and celebrating the great victory David was overcome with grief for his son Absalom. This is where, once again, Joab steps up. He confronts the king about his actions:

Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. (2 Samuel 19:5-7)

I can't help but wonder if David wasn't still dealing with some guilt and depression over the whole Bathsheba affair. I realize that I'm just speculating here but David just doesn't seem to have the clear focus that he once had. If these psalms really were written during this time they seem to reflect some of what may have been going on in David's heart:

My guilt has overwhelmed me
   like a burden too heavy to bear.
 My wounds fester and are loathsome
   because of my sinful folly.
I am bowed down and brought very low;
   all day long I go about mourning.
My back is filled with searing pain;
   there is no health in my body.
I am feeble and utterly crushed;
   I groan in anguish of heart. (Psalm 38:4-8)

But even in his depression David knew with his mind where his hope and strength and joy would be found:

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
   Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
   my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11)