Then Joab came into the house to the king... (2 Samuel 19:5).

I am amazed how easily Joab went in and out of the king's presence, sometimes commending him and at other times rebuking him. It reminds me once again of what David had spoken earlier, 

And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me (2 Samuel 3:39).

David could not exact justice against Joab for killing Abner. He could not harm Joab for needlessly killing his son Absalom rather than taking him captive. And he could not punish Joab for killing Amasa, whom he had appointed to replace him. 

What is more, Joab was David's cousin, as were Joab's brothers, Abishai and Asahel. I do not think it was an accident that they achieved a high position in David's reign. 

Even though David was God's anointed king, it is clear that he was not fearless in his rule. His authority was tempered by the same kind of internal politics that afflicts other rulers. He had to appease strong and popular generals. He had to figure out ways to win over public support. Sometimes he could exact justice. Sometimes he felt he could not.

David, however, distinguished himself in that he may have gone further than other king in seeking the LORD's favor above his personal interests. 

Who fearless serves the Lord? Abraham? He lied twice about Sarah to save his own neck. Moses? Twice he asked God to take his life rather than continuing to use him to lead the rebellious Israelites. 

Are there any examples of fearless service to the Lord? Well, there's Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel, who refused to bow to the image of King Nebuchadnezzar. They were thrown into the firey furnace. There was Daniel himself, who violated King Darius' decree not to pray to any other god. He got thrown into the lion's den. There was John the Baptist, who preached against Herod's sin. He got imprisoned and then decapitated. There was Jesus, who railed against the hypocrisy of the religious rulers. He was crucified. The apostles often fearlessly preached the gospel against the wishes of the religious and secular rulers. Some were supernaturally rescued while others were put to death. Tradition records that in time they were all eventually martyred.

Do you notice a pattern here? Those that we esteem because of their fearless obedience to God were all put to death. Now, some were supernaturally rescued by God, but others were not. 

We live in a day and in a country that are perhaps "safer" than any other time in history; however, I know of no one that fearlessly serves the Lord. If we do live like this, I wonder if we might suffer the same fate as those that have preceded us, namely, a short life in this world. Perhaps this would serve as a kind of testimony that we vastly prefer the life to come over the present life. 

I am not focusing on David's fear of Joab as an example to follow but as one reality in his reign. He felt there was nothing he himself could do, but he passed this responsibility on to his son, Solomon, who would rule with a stronger authority than he.

The advantage to Solomon was that he had greater authority to do what he wanted; however, the disadvantage to him was that he had virtually no accountability. There was no powerful general to move him to depend upon God. There was no prophet Nathan that could come into his presence and rebuke him for his sins. 

Which would I prefer? I would prefer that God would surround me with trouble and make me weaker so that I might learn more to fear Him and depend upon Him. I would desire this over power and authority without accountability. I desire the boldness of a Daniel, a John the Baptist, and Jesus, even if it means my life is foreshortened. 

So Amasa went out to notify Judah, but it took him longer than the time he had been given. (2 Samuel 20:5 NLT)

David appoints Amasa as the commander of his army, even though he betrayed David by supporting his son's coup-d'etat. David did this presumably to regain his throne quickly since Amasa was the most influential person left of the supporters of Absalom. And it worked. Amasa persuades the men of Judah to return to David (2 Samuel 19:13-14).

For his first assignment, David orders Amasa to mobilize the army of Judah within three days to go against Sheba, the insurrectionist, who persuaded ten of the tribes to secede from David. But Amasa took longer than the appointed time, and so David sends Abishai to go after Sheba. 

Clearly David did not want to lose his advantage and keep Sheba from getting to a safe haven, where he could mobilize a strong army against David. Yet, perhaps there was some suspicion on David's part that Amasa was not whole-heartedly supportive of David. If Sheba could mobilize enough troops, perhaps Amasa would join him to once more go against David.

Joab goes with Abishai in pursuit of Sheba. On the way, they meet up with Amasa, and Joab feigns friendship and kills him. Later, David tells Solomon to judge Joab for this murderous act (1 Kings 2:5). This may signify that David really did not suspect Amasa of treason.

Three things come to mind from this scenario.

First, David wholeheartedly trusts Amasa to command his army, even though he only recently had betrayed him with Absalom. This trust was evident in the important assignment he gave to him.

Second, Amasa does not wholeheartedly serve David. Even though he is given the important assignment to mobilize the army of Judah and take out Sheba, he is not quick to fulfill his mission within the alotted time.

Third, David, even though he fully supported Amasa, did not foolishly depend only on Amasa for the fate of his throne and kingdom. So, he sends Abishai to fulfill the mission instead. 

I find some principles of leadership here. These are subjective to my thinking, so I would encourage you to prove them by your own experience. 

First, leaders should fully trust and support those that serve them. Only by doing this can those serving have the encouragement and unfettered opportunity to use all their gifts and talents to pursue a task.

Second, servants must zealously do their duty. Any failure may raise questions of loyalty or character flaws that not only impede performance but also, even worse, shake the trust the leader has in them.

Third, wise leaders do not put all their hopes in one thing or one person. Wisdom understands human frailty and sinfulness; therefore, they will quickly assess when things are not as they should be and address and correct the matter by other means or persons. 

While I find these principles and tactics practical and true to experience, I am reminded also that none of them should take the place of simply trusting and obeying God. For everything is subject to Him who orders everything according to His will. 

Once again the Israel became one under David's leadership.  After the mess Absalom made and left behind, David showed his powerful leadership not in an avangeful way of killing all the unfaithful but in a godly way of forgiving even his enemies.  First, Amasa who had been appointed as a general by Absalom was forgiven and given "the commander of my army for life in place of Joab" and David "won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind."  Secondly, Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who hurled insults at David on the run was graciously forgiven and his life was spared.  Thirdly, Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, was forgiven whether his servant's accusation against him was true or not.  No more bloodshed occurred except for Amasa killed by Joab who never listened to David anyway.  I see a stark contrast between what David did and what worldly kings did in history after they were lifted to throne.  The true reconciliation comes from forgiveness when it is asked for.  When we know that we were wrong , we should have boldness to ask for forgiveness even though it may cost our lives themselves and we must have courage to extend forgiveness to someone who did us wrong but genuinely ask for it.  Let us pray fervently for the courage since we are commemorating the Lord's death and resurrection this week.

Okay, i just want to clarify... is the Mephibosheth in verse 7 and 8 of chapter 21 two different descendents of Saul with the same name? Thanks!

⁷ The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. ⁸ But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah's daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul's daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.

-- John

Yujin responds... Yes, they are two different descendants of Saul. One is a grandson of Saul through Jonathan. The other is actually one of Saul's sons.