Year One, September 29

The King Crossed the Brook Kidron1

2 Samuel 15:13-15; 17-26

13And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” (This must have sounded like a thunderclap in David’s ear. He was rejoicing because he believed his son was paying his vows and making offerings to God. Then the news of his son’s rebellion was suddenly brought to him. David had rebelled against his God and king and now he sees his own son in arms against himself. God had told David that evil would come to him out of his own house. How well God keeps both his promises and his threats!) 14Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” (The city could not be defended, because its walls were not built. David had prayed, “Build up the walls of Jerusalem.”2)

15And the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides.”

17So the king went out, and all the people after him. And they halted at the last house. (His wicked son had horses, but David had to leave the city on foot. He took his family with him. He was always a loving father and would not leave them in danger. Who can tell the sorrow that filled poor David’s heart? God’s rod struck him heavily.) 18And all his servants passed by him, and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king.

This was his bodyguard. They remained faithful when others deserted to the popular side. May we always stay close to our Lord Jesus, even if all the world should wander after the beast and the false prophet.3

19Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home. 20You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, since I go I know not where? Go back and take your brothers with you, and may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you.”

David was too generous to wish troubles on others. He could have used Ittai’s help, but he would not take advantage of his kindness.

21But Ittai answered the king, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.” (This true and loyal heart shows us how we should follow Jesus.) 22And David said to Ittai, “Go then, pass on.” So Ittai the Gittite passed on with all his men and all the little ones who were with him. (The Lord did not leave his servant completely alone. He provided him friends in his time of need.) 23And all the land wept aloud as all the people passed by, and the king crossed the brook Kidron, and all the people passed on toward the wilderness. (The common people mourned with their king, and well they should. There was even a sadder sight when Jesus, “the King, crossed the brook Kidron.”4 Oh Lord, we see you represented by David and our hearts adore you.)

24And 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. 25Then 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. 26But if he says, ‘I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.” (David was concerned for the safety of the ark and the priests. He would not permit them to be exposed to the same danger he was in. He was also deeply submissive to the Lord’s will. This shows the sanctifying influence his trials had on him. It is a blessing when God sends us trials because of our sin and they make us bow before our Master in holy and humble submission.)

Lord, when you afflict our family, make it always a blessing to each one of us.

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¹ 2 Samuel 15:23

² Psalm 51:18

³ The reference is to Revelation 13. The beast and false prophet rise up and deceive those who dwell on the earth. The false prophet is also referred to as “another beast.”

⁴ John 18:1, “When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered” (and where Judas betrayed him).