Back in the Wilderness

“And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 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. And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation: But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up” (2 Samuel 15:13-30).

Introduction

David is now going back to where he never thought he would be again. Because of Absalom’s coup David leaves Jerusalem and flees into the wilderness, and we can imagine that the experience brought back memories of his years on the run from King Saul. We can clearly see that the glory of David’s reign has been dulled because of his sin.

The abandonment

David’s heart must have sunk as he heard news of Absalom’s conspiracy against him. Suddenly, but too late, he realised just how wicked his son could be, so he had no other choice but to leave Jerusalem. He knew that Absalom would not hesitate to slaughter everyone to get his own way, so for the sake of the city, even those who had turned to his son, David fled into the wilderness. We see in this that Absalom was never truly concerned about the people’s needs when he counselled them at the gate, but David was concerned about them all and did not want any of them to suffer. Most coups begin with battles and death, but David wisely chose to avoid both. Those who were on David’s side declared their loyalty and promised to follow him wherever he was going.

David did not know what he was doing when he left his ten concubines in the palace, but he was actually laying the foundation for the fulfilment of Nathan’s prophecy (2 Samuel 12:11). All that escaped with him crossed Kidron and moved a safe distance from Jerusalem so that Absalom would not bother coming after them. Eventually they settled in Mahanaim, which was about fifty miles from Jerusalem (2 Samuel 17:24). We have to remember that this journey was done on foot. Maybe it was not too difficult for the hardened soldiers among them, but the women, children and servants would have found it arduous. It is amazing to see that six hundred Gentiles were more loyal to David than the majority of his own people. One of these is picked out for special attention to highlight their loyalty.

Ittai, a Gittite, was a fugitive and an exile from his own country. His presence in Israel reveals David’s compassion for those on the run from evil regimes and allowed him to stay. Ittai in turn was truly grateful to his new leader and was prepared to leave his new homeland. He proved his love for David by not remaining in Jerusalem, though it is unlikely that Absalom would bother him since he was only a newcomer to the city, and would not suspect that he had any real allegiance to David. Ittai was also willing to lay his life on the line for David. This man would be highly rewarded by David and was put in charge of a third of his army (2 Samuel 18:2).

The ascent

David and his band of loyal followers crossed the brook Kidron that ran between Jerusalem and Mount Olivet. This crossing signalled that they were all now exiles, which caused them much sorrow. Scripture indicated that their weeping could be heard throughout the valley as they made their way to Mahanaim.

Zadok the priest and the Levites had brought the Ark of the Covenant with them. Since the Ark symbolised the presence of the Lord they thought that it would be a blessing and encouragement to David, but though he commended them for their loyalty, he orders them to take it back to Jerusalem before Absalom realised it and they were missing. His desire was to return to the place where the Ark was housed if it was God’s will. Since Zadok and Abiathar were loyal to David, they could be his eyes and ears in Jerusalem, and could send news about what Absalom was doing.

David and his followers ascended the Mount of Olives barefoot and weeping with their heads covered. Space does not permit a detour into the significance of this place in past and future history, but we can state that it was the very spot in which the Garden of Gethsemane is found where Jesus prayed the night before His crucifixion, from where He ascended into Heaven, and the exact place He will set His feet when He comes again (Matthew 26:30-38. Acts 1:9-12. Zechariah 14:4). Olivet was certainly a place for weeping. David wept over his own sin and the consequences of it, but Jesus wept for ours. “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (Matthew 26:38) … “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears” (Hebrews 5:7). The way in which this group ascended the mount speaks of deep humiliation and abandonment to God.

Conclusion

Though this event is one of the results of David’s sin, God did not leave him without mercy. David had with him loyal family and friends, and was comforted by the knowledge that some in Jerusalem remained true to him. This must have been a great encouragement to him even if his heart was broken over what was happening. He had unlikely friends too, for Ittai was from Gath, the very place where giant Goliath whom he slew was from. The men of God (priests and prophets) were on his side and were willing to risk their lives for him too.

© 28/6/2010