David Flees Jerusalem The Loyal Stranger. But Ittai answered the king, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, most certainly wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or life, there will your servant be also.” 2Sa 15:21
THE REIGN OF DAVID
INTRODUCTION
The Second Book of Samuel is devoted entirely to the reign of David. His coronation, first by Judah and then by all of the tribes, his wars and conquests, his care for the religious life of the people, his sins, and the calamities he suffered, are impartially set forth in vivid and convincing narrative.
“A very notable thing in the books of Samuel,” says James Robertson, “is the prominence given to music and song. There is in these books an unusual number of poetical pieces ascribed to this period, and all the indications put together give ample justification for the fame of David as the sweet singer of Israel, and for the ascription to him of the origin of that volume of sacred song which never ceased in Israel, and has become embodied in the Psalms.”
30. Why did David leave Jerusalem immediately on hearing of Absalom’s revolt?
DAVID FLEES JERUSALEM THE LOYAL STRANGER.
Then a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”
David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, let us flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom! Go in haste, or he will overtake us quickly and bring disaster on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
The king’s servants said to him, “Listen, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides.”
So the king left, and all his household with him. But the king left behind ten women who were concubines to take care of the house (palace). [2Sa_12:11; 2Sa_20:3]
The king left, and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house.
All of David’s servants passed on beside him, and all the Cherethites, Pelethites and the Gittites, six hundred men who had come with him from Gath, passed on before the king.
Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you go with us, too? Go back and stay with the king [of your own country], for you are a foreigner and an exile as well; return to your own place.
You came only yesterday, so should I make you wander with us today while I go where I will? Return and take your brothers back with you also. May lovingkindness and faithfulness be with you.”
But Ittai answered the king, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, most certainly wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or life, there will your servant be also.”
So David said to Ittai, “Go on and cross over [the Brook Kidron].” So Ittai the Gittite crossed over with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.
While all the country was weeping with a loud voice, all the people crossed over. The king also crossed the Brook Kidron, and all the people went on toward the way of the wilderness [that lies between Jerusalem and the Jordan River].
DAVID FLEES JERUSALEM THE LOYAL STRANGER.
David was conscious of ill desert; hence his resolve to flee. How different his bearing now from that great hour when Goliath fell before him! Ah, conscience doth make cowards of us all! And yet there was a beautiful spirit of resignation welling up amid the salt waves of his bitter sorrow. When we are called to pass through dark hours, we cannot do better than repeat the words of this royal penitent: “Behold, here am I; let him do to me as seemeth good to him.” What thoughtfulness of Ittai! What pathos in the king’s words to Zadok! What humility as he climbed Olivet! What trust still in God to turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness! It is an impressive picture of the resignation of a broken and a contrite heart.
They were noble words that Ittai uttered! His name associates him with David’s residence in Gath, among the Philistines. He was a stranger and an exile in Israel, but the king’s friendship had made a home for him. In these days of our Lord’s humiliation, let us address Him in the chivalrous and noble words of 2Sa_15:21. See Joh_12:26; 1Th_5:10.
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