”Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told all the people, saying, “There is the king, sitting in the gate.” So all the people came before the king. For everyone of Israel had fled to his tent.“ II Samuel 19:8 NKJV
a. Then the king arose and sat in the gate: David didn’t feel like doing this. His feelings told him to stay locked into his excessive mourning. Yet David let his understanding of what was right override what he felt.
i. We never again hear David crying out, O Absalom. Doing what he needed to do got that song out of his head.
b. So all the people came before the king: This is what they needed to see – David sitting as king in the place of authority (sitting in the gate). This told them that their sacrifice was worth it, that it was appreciated, and that David would continue to reign. Joab’s rebuke worked because Joab cared enough to say it, and David was wise enough to receive it. (Guzik)
Rebuke!
We’ve all been there, done or said something unChrist like and a brother or sister said something like Joab to rebuke us because he or she cared enough to say it!
I admit I struggle with judging people by their outward appearance instead of their heart because that’s what our world has trained us to do for survival!
”But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”“
I Samuel 16:7 NKJV
I recall one time walking into church and a sister in Christ commented about someone, he looks weird. I replied, it’s a good thing that the Lord looks at the heart. She replied, (her name) there you go again! Please forgive me.
Have you done what we did, judging by outward appearance?
Blessings
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