◄ 2 Samuel 16:14 ►
Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived, exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
Study Bible
Finally
The word "Finally" indicates a culmination of events, suggesting a long and arduous journey. In the Hebrew text, this is a narrative marker that transitions the reader from the preceding events to the current scene. It underscores the perseverance and endurance required by David and his followers, reflecting the trials faced by believers in their spiritual journey.

the king
refers to King David, a central figure in the Old Testament, whose life and reign are pivotal in the history of Israel. David is often seen as a type of Christ, a shepherd-king who prefigures the coming Messiah. His experiences, including this moment of exhaustion, remind us of the humanity and vulnerability even in those chosen by God.

and all the people with him
highlights the collective experience of David's followers. This phrase emphasizes community and solidarity, as they share in the king's trials. It reflects the biblical principle of bearing one another's burdens, as seen in Galatians 6:2, and the importance of unity among God's people.

arrived, exhausted
The Hebrew root for "exhausted" (יָגַע, yaga) conveys a deep weariness, both physical and emotional. This exhaustion is not just a result of physical travel but also the stress of fleeing from Absalom, David's son, who sought to usurp the throne. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual fatigue believers may experience in times of trial and opposition.

And there
indicates a specific location where David finds respite. This place of refreshment is significant, as it represents a temporary sanctuary amidst turmoil. It reminds us of the importance of finding moments of rest and renewal in God's presence, even when surrounded by challenges.

he refreshed himself
The Hebrew verb used here (נָפַשׁ, naphash) means to take a breath or to revive oneself. It suggests a restoration of spirit and strength, akin to the Sabbath rest ordained by God. This act of refreshing is a reminder of the divine provision and care available to believers, encouraging them to seek God's presence for renewal and strength.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The King of Israel, who is fleeing from his son Absalom. This verse captures a moment of physical and emotional exhaustion during his escape.

2. Absalom
David's son, who has rebelled against his father and declared himself king, forcing David to flee Jerusalem.

3. The People with David
Loyal followers and servants who accompany David during his flight, sharing in his trials and exhaustion.

4. The Destination
While not named in this verse, the context suggests a place of temporary refuge during David's escape.

5. The Refreshing
A moment of physical and possibly spiritual renewal for David and his followers, highlighting God's provision even in dire circumstances.
Teaching Points
God's Provision in Exhaustion
Even in our most trying times, God provides moments of refreshment and renewal. We should seek His presence and trust in His provision.

The Importance of Rest
Physical and spiritual rest are essential for enduring life's challenges. We must prioritize time to refresh ourselves in God's presence.

Community Support
David was not alone; he had people with him. In our struggles, we should lean on our community of faith for support and encouragement.

Trust in God's Plan
Despite the chaos and uncertainty, David's journey reminds us to trust in God's overarching plan and His ability to bring us through difficult times.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's experience of exhaustion and refreshment in 2 Samuel 16:14 relate to your own life experiences?

2. In what ways can you seek God's refreshment during times of physical or emotional exhaustion?

3. How does the support of a faith community help you during challenging times, as seen in David's journey?

4. Reflect on a time when you felt God's provision in a difficult situation. How did it impact your faith?

5. How can the themes of rest and renewal in 2 Samuel 16:14 be applied to your daily spiritual practices?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 23
This psalm, attributed to David, speaks of God as a shepherd who provides rest and refreshment, paralleling the moment of refreshing in 2 Samuel 16:14.

Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest, echoing the theme of finding refreshment in God during times of exhaustion.

Isaiah 40:31
This verse speaks of those who wait on the Lord renewing their strength, similar to David's experience of refreshment.
Sermons
Impatience and SubmissionC. Bosanquet, M. A.2 Samuel 16:1-14
People
Abishai, Absalom, Ahithophel, Arkite, David, Gera, Hushai, Mephibosheth, Saul, Shimei, Zeruiah, Ziba
Places
Bahurim, Jerusalem
Topics
Arrived, Destination, Exhausted, Jordan, Refreshed, Rest, Themselves, Tired, Wearied, Weary
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 16:14

     5582   tiredness

Library
But Although Patience be a virtue of the Mind...
8. But although patience be a virtue of the mind, yet partly the mind exercises it in the mind itself, partly in the body. In itself it exercises patience, when, the body remaining unhurt and untouched, the mind is goaded by any adversities or filthinesses of things or words, to do or to say something that is not expedient or not becoming, and patiently bears all evils that it may not itself commit any evil in work or word. By this patience we bear, even while we be sound in body, that in the midst …
St. Augustine—On Patience

Nob. Bahurim.
That Nob was placed in the land of Benjamin, not far from Jerusalem, whence Jerusalem also might be seen,--the words of the Chaldee paraphrast, upon Isaiah 10:32, do argue. For so he speaks; "Sennacherib came and stood in Nob, a city of the priests, before the walls of Jerusalem; and said to his army, 'Is not this the city of Jerusalem, against which I have raised my whole army, and have subdued all the provinces of it? Is it not small and weak in comparison of all the fortifications of the Gentiles, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

David and Jonathan's Son
'And David said, is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 2. And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. 3. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4. And the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
I proceed now to the second aphorism or conclusion, that the godly are in some sense already blessed. The saints are blessed not only when they are apprehended by God, but while they are travellers to glory. They are blessed before they are crowned. This seems a paradox to flesh and blood. What, reproached and maligned, yet blessed! A man that looks upon the children of God with a carnal eye and sees how they are afflicted, and like the ship in the gospel which was covered with waves' (Matthew 8:24), …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized …
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem?

Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Meditations for one that is Like to Die.
If thy sickness be like to increase unto death, then meditate on three things:--First, How graciously God dealeth with thee. Secondly, From what evils death will free thee. Thirdly, What good death will bring unto thee. The first sort of Meditations are, to consider God's favourable dealing with thee. 1. Meditate that God uses this chastisement of thy body but as a medicine to cure thy soul, by drawing thee, who art sick in sin, to come by repentance unto Christ, thy physician, to have thy soul healed …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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