QT 3/30/2023 2 Sam 15:24-37, Trust God with future and be prudent

2 Samuel 15:24–26 (ESV) —

24 And Abiathar came up, and behold, Zadok came also with all the Levites, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God until the people had all passed out of the city. 25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. 26 But if he says, ‘I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.”

 

2 Samuel 15:32–37 (ESV) —

32 While David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and dirt on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in time past, so now I will be your servant,’ then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel. 35 Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So whatever you hear from the king’s house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Behold, their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son, and by them you shall send to me everything you hear.” 37 So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.

 

NOTE: There are a number of interesting insights into David and his relationship with God. First, David sends the Priests and the ark back to Jerusalem. The ark is not a talisman in David's eyes, whereas it did seem to be that for Saul. And while the name and presence of God (which the ark represented) would have helped his argument that he was still king, David does the right thing. In fulfillment of prophecy, he sends the ark back.

 

Deuteronomy 12:5 (ESV) — 5 But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go,

1 Kings 8:29 (ESV) — 29 that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place.

1 Kings 11:36 (ESV) — 36 Yet to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name.

2 Kings 23:27 (ESV) — 27 And the Lord said, “I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.”

 

While he shows trust in God by sending the ark back, he also acts prudently. Having the priests back in the city allows him an opportunity for intelligence. And he sends a close friend back to lie to Absalom and act as a spy. He puts the priests, their sons, and his friend in danger. But, it is a prudent act. It does not show a lack of trust. Throughout this event, David has left the outcome to God as seen in verse 15:25b.

 

Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place.

 

Prudent, trust, and doing the right thing are hallmarks of David (at his best) and all men of God.

 

PONDER:

1. What are my prudent steps as I look to major changes?
2. Am I praying about everything and believing that God will work his best for me?

 

PRAYER: Father, I put into your hands my retirement. I ask you to smooth the way and provide as you see fit. I trust you. I am confident in you.