Day 137: David Mourns Absalom

Today's readings: 2 Samuel 19, 1 Chronicles 24, and Psalm 38.

I. 2 Samuel 19 recounts the aftermath following the death of Absalom and the end of the rebellion. It moves from David's grief over Absalom's death to his restoration as king over Israel. Joab rebukes David for his deep mourning, telling him that such dishonors the soldiers who have died for him. David heeds him, morale improves, and he is restored as the rightful king of Israel. Shimei, who had cursed David, meets with him and asks for forgiveness. Abishai wants him executed, but David shows the man mercy. David is unsure of him, but Mephibosheth reveals his loyalty and humility. Barzillai, who had supplied David's forces during the rough times, is rewarded. Finally, the northern tribes complain that Judah brought David back without consulting them. The argument becomes heated, foreshadowing the later division of the kingdom after Solomon dies.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on this:

[W]e see that David mourns the death of Absalom. This is understandable for him as a father, but it brings shame upon the people because of the twenty thousand who died to preserve David's kingdom. Seeing David's grief, the people believe he would rather they had died than Absalom... Later, the people of Judah reestablish David as king of Israel, but there is dissension between them and the other tribes. Here, we can see the seeds of rebellion that will take place after the death of David's son Solomon. (p. 36)

II. In 1 Chronicles 24 David organized the descendants of Aaron into 24 priestly divisions to serve in the Temple. Although Solomon would later build the Temple, David prepared its worship in advance.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

[T]he line of David is highlighted because from it will come the Messiah... Though priests only come from the tribe of Levi, David is sometimes described as wearing an ephod - a priestly garment - when he goes to pray before the Lord... Jesus, a descendant of David in the tribe of Judah, is described as a priest in the order of Melchizedek - which is different from the Levitical priesthood. Here, David foreshadows Jesus both as King and priest. (p. 36)

III. Psalm 38 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm that Christian tradition counts as one of the seven penitential psalms, along with Pss 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, 143. Having committed sin, the Psalmist is seized by mental and physical distress that he regards as divine discipline. He is alienated by friends and family and feels vulnerable to the scheming of his enemies. His confession of sin is coupled with earnest appeals for God's help. (p. 862)

That's it for today!