2 Samuel 15:32-37 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold… Contemplate the character of the king's friend. Like other models of friendship — John the Baptist, Jonathan, Ruth — he is conspicuous for sympathy and unselfishness. But there was a special feature in the story of Hushai which teaches us a great and important lesson. He was used as a counteracting influence among the king's enemies. I. WHERE THEY MET. The top of Olivet, where David was worshipping. The use David made of his first halt. When we moan and lament, and go about seeking sympathy in our sorrows, we seldom get it. But God sends comfort to the trusting, accepting heart. Worship is the right way to receive chastisement. (Job 1:20; 2 Samuel 12:19, 20.) So angels came to Bethel and Mahanaim. (Genesis 31:54; Genesis 32:1, 2.) Horses and chariots of fire at Dothan (2 Kings 6:13-18.) Jonathan at Ziph. (1 Samuel 23:15; Acts 9:17,.) Angels in Gethsemane. When a soul in sorrow can worship there is no sting left. David might have been looking down on his forsaken capital now possessed by his enemies, but instead he looked up to his covenant God. What is the highest worship? Conformity to God's will, the worship of Jesus Himself. (Luke 22:42, 43.) II. TRUE SYMPATHY FROM HUSHAI. 1. It goes to meet sorrow and suffering that it may bless and comfort. Apply this in two cases. (1) Our ordinary friends. Is not our love very often selfish? It does not go to meet, launch out, anticipate. A wholesome thing to ask ourselves, "Is anyone better or happier for me? Is Jesus more glorified to-day?"(2) In divine friendship. We too often shut our eyes to the sin and sorrow around us; afraid to look on it because we don't feel able to cope with it. Go to meet Jesus in it; He is the sorrow-bearer. Go reverently and sympathizingly, and ask what you can do to help Him. There was perfect understanding between David and his friend. Hushai didn't mind what seemed a repulse. We want to help our friends and Jesus, in our own way. Our sympathy becomes therefore importunate and misplaced. The tried friend perhaps does not want us, but wants our prayers or our influence. And with regard to our Lord, our hearts may cry out for His visible presence, "Let me be with Thee where thou art"; but if Jesus has work for us to do in a rebellious world, then must we stay there till He comes back. III. A MARK OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP. To live, and speak, and judge, and act for God in an ungodly world. It is a harder thing than dying, but it profits the cause. Some day we shall welcome back the King. Another feature of it. (Verses 35, 36.) Be the King's remembrancer. Report everything to Him. Use others in this work. Teach young disciples to "tell Jesus." (Matthew 14:12.)(3) Jesus notices such. Antipas. (Revelation 2:13.) The unknown of Sardis. (Revelation 3:4.) (R. E. Faulkner.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: |
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