Saturday 16th November
Read 2 Samuel 15:23-29
“The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on towards the wilderness.
24 Zadok was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city.
25 Then the king said to Zadok, ‘Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favour in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling-place again. 26 But if he says, “I am not pleased with you,” then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.’
27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, ‘Do you understand? Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan. You and Abiathar return with your two sons. 28 I will wait at the fords in the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.’ 29 So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.” (NIVUK)
David would not make the mistake Israel had made earlier by using the ark as a talisman to guarantee God’s favour. Considering the difficulty he faced in bringing it to Jerusalem, the idea of taking it away again must have seemed awful! Whilst in one sense the decision is entirely pragmatic, the reason David provides demonstrates he has truly repented. He acknowledges that what has happened to him is entirely as the Lord stated and entirely deserved. Whilst he would love to worship in God’s presence in Jerusalem again he is ready to accept that God may will otherwise.
Yet that does not mean he will be passive. If the priests have demonstrated their loyalty to him by leaving the city with him, and bringing the ark, then their allegiance is not to be wasted. David will take steps to effect his return and will use them as spies. He will accept the Lord’s will, but trust that God will be gracious. Such faithful acceptance of the Lord’s will is characteristic of those who trust God. Are you one who awaits grace as actively?
