The Return of the King
Notes
Transcript
“The Return of the King” by J.R.R. Tolkien is a fantastic book turned epic movie. The book was written in the mid 1900s and the movie came out in 2003. It won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Score (I listened to the soundtrack as I wrote this sermon).
If you haven’t seen “The Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy or read the books, you’re missing out.
It took 3 books/movies for the king to return and take his rightful place as king of Gondor. Evil had been defeated by the fellowship of the ring and King Aragorn is where he should be.
If The Lord of the Rings isn’t your thing, 1). you’re doing it wrong, and 2). I have another illustration.
Take Simba, for example, if you’d rather. After the death of his father, he’s driven into exile by his murderous uncle, Scar. After spending his adolescent years with a meerkat and a warthog, he returns to Pride Rock and fights his uncle. Victorious, he walks to the edge of the rock and roars—this is, I’m assuming, the lion’s equivalent of taking his throne.
Simba, the king, has returned. Rafiki said so.
Here in 2 Samuel 19, we have another king returning to his throne. King David returns to Jerusalem. He reenters the land. His exile in the wilderness is over.
This is a big deal. Absalom and all the forces of evil conspired against him, but David, the king the LORD appointed over His people returns to his rightful place.
It’s been a process to get there.
The story of the return of King David is a better story than “The Lord of the Rings” or “The Lion King.” The story of David’s return is true, for one thing. Beyond that, it’s a foretelling of Jesus’ story.
>When Christian believers pray “Your kingdom come”, we are praying for the return of our King: the LORD Jesus Christ.
The night before Jesus was crucified, Jesus promised His disciples He would return.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’
Jesus was going to die, but He assured His followers that He would come again.
He did come back to them, just a few days after He spoke these words, He was raised from the dead!
David’s story is similar to the night Jesus was betrayed, arrested, and put on trial. That night was, in some important ways, like the darkest day in King David’s life.
David was betrayed and rejected by his own people, and driven out of town. So, too, was Jesus.
Of course, David’s situation didn’t result in his own death. The enemies of David die, whereas Jesus died for His enemies.
Jesus was betrayed and rejected, and His own people crucified Him. Jesus’ own disciples tucked tail and ran when the worst of it went down. Jesus was all alone, abandoned, forsaken. David never experienced any of that.
As we follow David’s return as king to Jerusalem, after his victory over Absalom, we will consider the promise of King Jesus to come again.
On the third day after His death, Jesus was raised and came to His astonished disciples. Jesus’ disciples saw Him, touched Him, and worshipped Him. Jesus spoke with them, at breakfast with them, walked alongside the road with them. Jesus’ return to life after death has been proclaimed to the whole world.
But there’s more to Jesus’ promise to return than His initial appearance after His resurrection. By His Holy Spirit, Jesus indwells His people.
But there’s still more to the return of our King. In one major way, His return is still a future event.
When Jesus ascended into Heaven, the disciples were told:
“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
The future return of the One True King—Jesus—will be undeniable, universally visible, and unmissable.
On the day Jesus returns, He will set the world at rights, judge the living and the dead, and reign among us forever and ever.
On that day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I enjoy “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Lion King”. I like the story of King David’s return.
But, more than anything, I love how all these stories point to the truer and better story of Jesus’ return.
No story compares to the story of Jesus, but these stories make us think about Him and His return.
>The return of King David is recounted in 2 Samuel 19. As we read through this chapter, we will look at David’s return and see how certain people respond to him.
All the while, we’ll be thinking about the return of Jesus and how we should respond to Him, our King.
Let’s get the setting of David’s return. We start by seeing some bickering in verses 9-15 and then at the end of the chapter, verses 41-43.
9 Throughout the tribes of Israel, all the people were arguing among themselves, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines. But now he has fled the country to escape from Absalom; 10 and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”
11 King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters? 12 You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.’ ”
14 He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, “Return, you and all your men.” 15 Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan.
Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan.
41 Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?”
42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?”
43 Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king; so we have a greater claim on David than you have. Why then do you treat us with contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing back our king?”
But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel.
In the previous chapter, we read about the death of Absalom, the king’s son. Absalom is dead, so it follows that he can’t be king. But the people of Israel hesitate where David is concerned.
Absalom is dead. And David is still in exile. Factions had developed in both Israel and Judah concerning the validity of David’s return to the throne.
Israel, referring to the northern tribes, and Judah, referring to the southern tribes, are at odds where David is concerned.
David has to persuade his own tribe, Judah. And he makes Amasa the new commander of the military as an act of reconciliation. With the nation back on David’s side—he won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind—David heads back to Jerusalem.
When David crosses the river (at the end of the chapter), Judah and Israel are bickering over who has more “shares” in the king, who has a “greater claim” on him.
It is, in a word, whackadoodle.
David’s journey back is an interesting one. As the great theologian Yogi Berra would say, “It’s Deja Vu all over again.” Only this time, in reverse.
David’s journey is a mirror image of his departure. He retreated in fear of his son, a shameful exit. Here, we have a somewhat triumphal entry. Along the way, David meets again some of the people he met during his exit.
Let’s read and see if you remember any the people we read about here.
16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul’s household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. 18 They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished.
When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king 19 and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. 20 For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.”
21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the Lord’s anointed.”
22 David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.
Do you remember Shemei? He was the guy who came cursing David and all David’s men, throwing rocks at them. He called David a murderer and a scoundrel (both are true, but words hurt). Shimei kept on throwing rocks and cursing David and all those with him, showering them with dirt as they walked along.
Shimei was a pest. Abishai was so annoyed with him, he wanted to go cut off his head. David wouldn’t let Abishai do anything to him, so his insults and injury continued.
But notice what Shimei does here. He comes to David, bows before him, admits his wrongdoing, and confesses his sin.
There are two ways to take Shimei’s confession.
It might be that Shimei’s “repentance” is fake.
Some believe that “there is no reason to hold that Shimei had undergone any massive change of heart. He had committed a tactical error called treason and now he must save his skin, if he can. He does not submit to David out of love but out of policy. He recognizes the realities of power and politics and adapts himself accordingly.”
If this was his attitude, Shimei represents many today who come to church not out of a genuine devotion to Christ but out of self-interest. There are business connections to be made in the annex, or perhaps parents or a spouse who can be mollified by attendance at worship.
David’s companion (and nephew) Abishai, who earlier wanted to leave Shimei without even his head to comfort him, here again offers to put Shimei to death.
David tells Abishai to knock it off. Why?
It could be that Shimei’s repentance is genuine.
Shimei admitted his wrongdoing, confesses his action as sinful, and asks that David put it out of his mind. Shimei has come, not to throw things at David, but to honor the king.
Cynical people, fellow sinners all, tend to question other people’s repentance. They’ll reason: “It’s not genuine. Those are just words. They don’t really mean that; they’re just saying that.”
Here’s a question: who in the world are you to determine that? Who am I to say someone isn’t genuinely repentant? I’m not the LORD (thankfully), and neither are you (thankfully). You can’t know a person’s heart; it’s not for you to say.
I’m not here to say that Shimei’s confession/repentance is absolutely genuine and entirely heartfelt (but it might be!).
Neither am I here to say he’s faking it. I can’t dismiss his action out-of-hand, and neither should you.
King David accepts Shimei’s confession, refuses to let Abishai kill him, and promises on oath that Shimei will not die.
The policy of David is that “mercy forgives sinners who confess.”
This is an interesting interaction with Shimei, one that should make us think about confession/repentance. Not judging others’ confession/repentance, but checking our own hearts.
Jesus’ coming return should inspire a response of
CONFESSION & REPENTANCE
CONFESSION & REPENTANCE
Don’t think about anyone else, don’t quietly point a finger at someone else. Consider your own heart. Ask the LORD to search your heart and reveal any area in which YOU need to repent.
Is there anything you need to confess? Have you repented of your sin and turned in faith to Jesus?
Jesus came preaching, “Repent and believe.” He says that still.
Jesus is going to return one day, and soon. And when He returns, it will be too late for you to repent and place your trust in Him. His delay, His kindness is intended to lead you to repentance here and now.
Confess your sin. Turn from your sin. Run to Jesus. Do it today.
As part of of your repentance/confession, it may be that you need to have a conversation with that person you offended or betrayed; that person you have slandered and gossiped about. Do that; have that conversation. Don’t delay.
Confess. And Repent.
Next on David’s journey home, we run into Ziba and Mephibosheth again. Ziba was mentioned in verse 17. The encounter with Mephibosheth picks up in verse 24.
24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”
26 He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba my servant betrayed me. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish. 28 All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?”
29 The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.”
30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.”
You may or may not remember Ziba. He’s Mephibosheth’s caretaker who showed up in Ch. 16 and told David that Mephibosheth had betrayed David. David, impulsively, gave all of Mephibosheth’s land to Ziba, right then and there.
Now, Mephibosheth is able to speak with David and tell David what actually happened.
Mephibosheth had not taken care of himself physically during the whole time David was in exile. In a very real way, Mephibosheth behaved as if he was with David, even though he couldn’t be. It was a way for Mephibosheth to participate with David in his experience of running for his life. Solidarity.
Mephibosheth wanted to be with David. And if Mephibosheth wasn’t crippled he would have been, no doubt. He even asked to have his donkey saddled so he could ride out of Jerusalem with David, but Ziba betrayed him.
Mephibosheth was stuck in Jerusalem, hindered by his physical disability.
Mephibosheth already had been granted so much by David. He was given a place to live and a place at David’s table. David had been so good to him. Mephibosheth didn’t care if he got anything back from what David gave Ziba.
He didn’t care about what he had or about what had been taken from him.
What Mephibosheth cared about was honoring God’s king. Mephibosheth is loyal to David, no matter what.
HONOR & LOYALTY
HONOR & LOYALTY
Mephibosheth is one of those characters who inspires. When you read his story, you might feel sorry for him.
His grandfather was Saul, the first king of Israel. His father was Jonathan, the prince of Israel and David’s best friend.
Both Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle when Mephibosheth was a young boy. Upon word of Saul’s and Jonathan’s deaths, Mephibosheth’s nanny/nurse picked him up to carry him out of the house to safety, but dropped him and he ended up crippled in his feet.
When David becomes king, he makes sure he shows honor to his friend Jonathan’s family. Mephibosheth is it. So David invites Mephibosheth to eat in the palace like one of the king’s sons, and David restores to Mephibosheth all the land that belonged to his grandfather, Saul (2 Samuel 9).
His life is roller coaster. Ups and downs. Blessings and terrible things. He’s given everything, and then his servant betrays him and tricks David into taking Mephibosheth’s land from him.
Poor Mephibosheth, right? Well, maybe. But Mephibosheth doesn’t care about any of that. Mephibosheth doesn’t care about what he has, as long as King David is safe (2 Samuel 19:30).
That’s loyalty. Mephibosheth shows David the honor he deserves. Mephibosheth was loyal, not just to survive. He was loyal, and not out of greed.
Mephibosheth was loyal because that’s what the king deserves.
As we think about the return of Jesus, we should consider the loyalty and honor He deserves.
In Jesus’ physical absence, our loyalty shows itself in how we live and what we stand for. We live for Him and for His glory. We seek to honor Him with our lives, our actions, our thoughts, and our words.
We are to live for Jesus, no matter the difficulty or hardship we face.
Are you willing to leave everything behind, to give up everything for His sake?
Jesus says everyone who, in loyalty to Him, leaves houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for [His] sake will receive one hundred times as much.
We show honor to Jesus in our times of worship, by obeying His commands (if we love Him, we keep His word), by proclaiming His name, and by living our lives centered on Him (whatever you do, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus).
As we await Jesus’ return, let us remain loyal to Him and show Him honor above everything/everyone else.
Honor. And loyalty.
Lastly, we meet our old pal Barzillai once more:
31 Barzillai the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.”
34 But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.”
38 The king said, “Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you wish. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.”
39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and bid him farewell, and Barzillai returned to his home.
40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over.
Very old, very wealthy Barzillai is invited by David to live in the palace alongside the king. This is an incredible offer, no doubt David’s effort to repay Barzillai for everything he had done for David and his people.
Barzillai, you remember from the end of 2 Samuel 17, had sustained the king, had provided for the king.
But Barzillai says he’s too old (he’s old, he’s too old) to enjoy any of what David is offering, but offers to send Kimham in his place.
Barzillai has supported David—the LORD’s appointed king—throughout the lowest, darkest moment in David’s life.
And now, Barzillai’s response to David’s offer is: 2 Samuel 19:36 “why should the king reward me in this way?”
Barzillai has been generous with David and he’s grateful for what David offers him in return.
As we joyfully anticipate the return of our King, let our lives be marked by:
GENEROSITY & GRATITUDE
GENEROSITY & GRATITUDE
Barzillai, and a few others with him, provided beds and pottery and cheese and wheat and barley and beans and lentils, etc. for David and his people to eat.
I know when I’m hungry, all I really want is barley and lentils.
Even while David was exiled, running for his life, and another man was pretending to be king, Barzillai generously supported David, the LORD’s appointed and anointed king.
Barzillai knew whatever he had ultimately belonged to the king anyhow. He was blessed to have what he had, and glad to share what he had been blessed with.
For us, whatever we’ve been blessed with, whatever we have, let us use in service of the LORD and His people.
Generosity is a mark of the Christ-follower. The person who belongs to Jesus wants to serve Jesus and His people however, whenever, with whatever they have.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Generosity is a mark of the Christ-follower.
More than generosity, Barzillai is marked by gratitude. He gratefully provided for David and the people with him. It wasn’t even a thought.
And then when David offered to provide for Barzillai in return, his response was, “Why should the king repay me?” He’s so grateful, he doesn’t feel he deserves anything more.
Every good thing we have is from the Lord above. Nothing is deserved. All we have is given to us graciously, not based on any merit.
Our only response is gratitude and praise; we are unworthy servants, undeserving. All we have is our gratitude and our praise.
Let us be generous with what He’s given, and grateful for what He’s done.
Generosity. And gratitude.
>The story of David’s humiliation and restoration reminds us of the humiliation and exaltation of Jesus. The true King suffered to redeem His people and delays His return as an opportunity for us to repent.
Our King, Jesus, became one of us, taking on flesh, making His dwelling among us. He died for us, in our place. He was buried and on the third day, rose again. He ascended into heaven, where He sits at God’s mighty right hand.
And soon, Jesus is going to return.
What is our response to the any-day-now returning King?
We need to confess our sins, and repent, turning to from our sin and running to Him.
We must show Jesus honor above EVERYTHING else and show ourselves loyal to Him, no matter what comes our way.
As we wait for Him, let us be marked by generosity and gratitude.
Let’s tell everyone the Good News about Him, and pray for His speedy return!
