2 Samuel 15:14-24 And David said to all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom… The motive for the flight was probably a patriotic one. David would not, let the city be destroyed by civil war. Like Louis Philippe, he could: not hear to shed his people's blood. This tenderness of disposition, so unlike the spirit of the times, is characteristic of him. (1 Chronicles 21:17.) 1. Notice the different classes of people who went out with the king, displaying different aspects of loyalty. (1) The servants of the household (v. 15). Unqualified obedience, whatsoever (John 2:5: 15:14). (2) The sympathising people. (3) The bodyguard. Cherethites and Pelethites (1 Kings 1:38-44). (Foreigners, Ezekiel 25:16; 1 Samuel 30:14; Ephesians 2:19.)(4) Ittai and his Gittites — mercenaries become volunteers. Story of Ittai. From Gath, a Philistine city, probably (v. 19), an exile from his own country, who had taken refuge with David.The special lessons he teaches. True service must be voluntary. (Psalm 40:8; Deuteronomy 28:47.) "Whose service is perfect freedom." It becomes so in proportion as we know and love the one served. (2 Corinthians 5:14; Song of Solomon 1:4.) Duty a lower motive-power than love. (Duty would have constrained Ittai to fight well, but not to endure exile.) All soul-satisfying religion centres round a person, not a system, or a doctrine. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," not only in His work for you. A man the real object of love and trust. The God-man — Emmanuel. (R. E. Faulkner.) Parallel Verses KJV: And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. |
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