Wednesday 13th November
Read 2 Samuel 15:13-15
“A messenger came and told David, ‘The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.’
14 Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, ‘Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword.’
15 The king’s officials answered him, ‘Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king chooses.’” (NIVUK)
David hears one short message (v13) and knows that trouble is on its way. For all his words of peace towards his son, he knows his son well enough to recognise the danger. Absalom is not shy in using the sword (v14).
David may have lost the hearts of the people, but he has kept the hearts of those closest to him (v15). The decisive, and wise, David of old has appeared once more. One wonders what is passing through his head as he flees into the wilderness once more. Yet we don’t actually have to wonder – for he has told us.
“Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
‘God will not deliver him.’
3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.
7 Arise, Lord!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8 From the Lord comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.” (Psalm 3:1-8) (NIVUK)
