Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: Returns to Jerusalem

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David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the Old Testament, known for his profound faith, military prowess, and complex personal life. His return to Jerusalem marks a significant moment in his reign, following the tumultuous period of Absalom's rebellion.

Context of Absalom's Rebellion

Absalom, David's third son, initiated a rebellion against his father, driven by ambition and a desire for power. The rebellion culminated in a battle in the forest of Ephraim, where Absalom was ultimately defeated and killed (2 Samuel 18:6-15). This victory, however, was bittersweet for David, who mourned deeply for his son despite Absalom's betrayal: "O my son Absalom—O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 18:33).

David's Return to Jerusalem

Following Absalom's death, David's return to Jerusalem was not immediate. The king remained at Mahanaim, awaiting the tribes of Israel to invite him back to the throne. The delay in his return highlights the political complexities and divisions within the nation. Eventually, the tribe of Judah, David's own tribe, took the initiative to bring him back, as recorded in 2 Samuel 19:11-15 :

"Then King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: 'Ask the elders of Judah, "Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace, since the talk of all Israel has reached the king at his quarters? You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?" And say to Amasa, "Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you do not become commander of my army from now on in place of Joab!"' So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man, and they sent word to the king: 'Return, you and all your servants.' So the king returned and went as far as the Jordan."

Crossing the Jordan

David's crossing of the Jordan River was a symbolic act of restoration and reconciliation. As he approached the river, he was met by various individuals and groups, each with their own motives and accounts. Among them was Shimei, who had previously cursed David during his flight from Absalom. Shimei sought forgiveness, and David, demonstrating magnanimity, spared his life (2 Samuel 19:18-23).

Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, also came to meet David. He had been slandered by his servant Ziba, who claimed Mephibosheth had betrayed David. Upon hearing Mephibosheth's side of the account, David divided the land between him and Ziba, showing a Solomon-like wisdom in his judgment (2 Samuel 19:24-30).

Reconciliation and Political Maneuvering

David's return was marked by efforts to unify the nation and heal the rifts caused by the civil war. He appointed Amasa, Absalom's former commander, as the head of his army, replacing Joab. This move was both a gesture of reconciliation and a strategic decision to consolidate his power and prevent further dissent (2 Samuel 19:13).

However, David's return was not without further challenges. A man named Sheba, a Benjamite, incited a rebellion against David, declaring, "We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!" (2 Samuel 20:1). This rebellion was swiftly quelled, but it underscored the ongoing tensions within the kingdom.

Significance

David's return to Jerusalem is a testament to his enduring leadership and the divine favor that rested upon him. Despite personal failings and familial strife, David's heart remained aligned with God's purposes for Israel. His return set the stage for the continued consolidation of the kingdom and the eventual transition to the reign of his son Solomon.

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2 Samuel 20:1-3
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
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Library

The Tears of Christ.
... lift up ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory ... of the past, we see the same
David fallen from ... for a time come brighter scenes, as Israel returns from its ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlv the tears of.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of ...
... him such royal majesty as had not been on any King before him in Israel" (1:Chron ...
and glorious reign of Solomon, following the death of David, typified the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 the fact of the.htm

The Millennium in Relation to Christ.
... the Jews." But as we have seen, Israel rejected their ... be fulfilled "And the Lord
shall be King over all ... the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/2 the millennium in relation.htm

The Historical Books.
... anointing, and inauguration of Saul as king of Israel ... house of Saul and the house
of David, and then, after Ishbosheth's death, over all Israel at Jerusalem ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Later Hebrew Histories.
... deed, and then slew seventy thousand of David's subjects for ... these writings of the
later period of Israel Daniel is ... is in a prophecy against the King of Tyre ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... cause of the faithful followers of David being driven ... in Ramah just before Christ
returns and restores Israel. ... in that land after the death of the false King. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

Introduction.
... The Books of Maccabees look forward to the re-gathering of Israel and the ... but He
is not superhuman, He is only the ideal earthly king of David's line. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

Cheer Up, My Comrades!
... of God," though you never read, "A prayer of David, the king ... servant of God than
of being entitled a king of Israel ... He was to bring Israel out of Egypt; but his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/cheer up my comrades.htm

A Short Essay Toward the Improvement of Psalmody:
... their Wandrings from God, and Temptations, or in their Returns and Breathings ... with
the Trumpets and with the Instruments ordained by David King of Israel, &c ...
/.../a short essay toward the improvement of psalmody/a short essay toward the.htm

The Fall of Solomon
... So soon after its establishment did the house of David prove unworthy ... is here.' The
faults of the human kings of Israel prophesy of the true King, who is to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the fall of solomon.htm