Jun 13, 2021. II Samuel 12:26-31

Posted byJohn Sanzone

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JOAB ADMONISHES THE KING.  II Samuel 12:26-31.  06/13/2021.  #26.

2 Samuel 12:26-31 [New King James Version]

26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the people of Ammon, and took the royal city. 27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah, and I have taken the city’s water supply. 28 Now therefore, gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called after my name.” 29 So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah, fought against it, and took it. 30 Then he took their king’s crown from his head. Its weight was a talent of gold, with precious stones. And it was set on David’s head. Also he brought out the spoil of the city in great abundance. 31 And he brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work with saws and iron picks and iron axes, and made them cross over to the brick works. So he did to all the cities of the people of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

  1. That enigma, Joab
    1. Joab was David’s cousin, but is was both an aid to David, and a thorn in David’s side
      1. Joab was obviously a capable leader and general
      1. Joab saw clearly danger that David often missed
    1. Effective and discerning advisors are vital to any ruler
    1. Joab’s good advice:
      1. Joab fought well against Israel and other enemies
      1. He advised David to take back Absalom
      1. He advised David to encourage his troops after their victory over Absalom’s troops
      1. He advised David not to number the people
    1. Joab’s deceit and cruelty
      1. Joab deceitfully murdered Abner
      1. Joab deceitfully murdered Amasa
      1. Joab killed Absalom
    1. On his death bed, David advised his son, Solomon, to  eliminate Joab
  2. Joab calls for David to play the role of the king
    1. 2 Sam. 11 David shirked his responsibility as commander-in-chief by not leading his army into battle
      1. This led to the Bathsheba/Uriah fiasco
      1. Joab is seen to be the leader
    1. Joab demonstrates his loyalty by not taking advantage of enhancing his own power in David’s absence
    1. Joab sent word that his army had captured the water supply that fed the city
      1. This is equivalent of cutting the supply route that fed the army
      1. It is only a matter of time before the city must fall
    1. Joab urges David to come to lead final assault on Rabbah
      1. If Joab took the city, he would receive the credit for taking the city
      1. If Joab conquered the city Israel would begin to look to Joab as the actual leader of the people
      1. Saul lost leadership to David, when his exploits against Goliath and the Philistines won Israel’s heart
    1. David lost sight of all political and leadership perspective
      1. David’s world had shrunk to his own fame, desires, pleasures, and personal wants
      1. A leader cannot lose sight of his purpose and connection to the people and rules and serves
      1. David was not even aware that he was jeopardizing his own kingdom via seclusion from the people
  3. Return of the king
    1. David accepts Joab’s advice and brings the army reserves with him in order to take Rabbah
    1. Rabbah is taken as David leads his troops (though all realized that Joab had done the difficult part)
    1. King Hunun’s crown of gold and jewels is placed on David’s head (1 talent = 75.5 lbs.)
    1. The entire city is plundered and its citizens made slaves
      1. Hunun’s sleight against David’s emissaries pays bitter fruit for him and his people
      1. Ironically, the Ammonites were going to enslave the men of Jabesh-Gilead before Saul rescued them
    1. David was a blessed king, but he lacked administrative ability, political acumen, insight, awareness, and wisdom
    1. God works through David’s weakness to enact justice