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Text: 2 Samuel 15
The situation in the kingdom is irreversibly bad. David brought Absalom back to Jerusalem without addressing his murder and evident propensity to do whatever he wanted even if it means violence. The boyhood hero who slew the giant has grown into a polygamist king whose family is now destroying the kingdom of Israel. David’s son Absalom steals the people’s hearts (vss 1-6) in a conspiracy to take over the throne and depose his father. Absalom lies to position himself (vss 7-9). He says he has a promise to fulfill in Hebron, so David blesses the trip. But Absalom is going there to garner more support for himself. He’s going together men who were hurt by David’s sin with Bathsheba, namely Ahithophel. Absalom goes to Hebron and proclaims himself king. He then begins to return to Jerusalem with mighty support from Israel forcing David, his father, into exile. David flees Jerusalem to avoid being killed by his own son. It’s horrible.
As this all transpires, you can see David’s will to fight and motivation decline. He is drained of life. I notice the speed with which David is willing to cut and run in verse 14. It’s clear David has no heart to fight this battle. The guilt of regret hog ties David preventing him from addressing Absalom. He remembers his own sin and can’t bring himself to speak against Absalom. David is terrified of being a hypocrite to his family. And it’s making matters worse. David is demoralized. He accepts circumstances he shouldn’t accept. He will ultimately put his failure in God’s lap. Look at verses 25-26. How often do we do that?! On top of that, Absalom has found another way to exploit David’s past sin. Absalom goes after Bathsheba’s grandfather who is a wise leader in Israel. Absalom uses Ahithophel’s contempt for David against him in verse 31. David’s spirit is wounded. He is depressed. He is discouraged. He has accepted failure.
Now, we could continue to go over David’s failures. We could continue to beat David up for having unruly children. We could continue to observe the consequences of David’s dysfunctional family. But I thought to myself, David doesn’t need a lecture on being a failure as a father. He doesn’t need more people to come along and tell him how he’s messed up his life. Do you know what David needs now? He needs a friend.
Support (vs 15)
- Sometimes friendships are developed because people work together.
- I lament not having a job outside pastoring, particularly in our rural community. It was so easy to uphold Jesus Christ among my friends at work when I was in the oilfield. I didn’t have to insert myself into someone’s life to have a real conversation about eternal life. We all worked together so we all had a reason to be there. And that created natural openings to preach Jesus Christ.
- Natural relationships are the best evangelistic opportunities.
- What brings people together is helpful when you think about ministering as a friend, but more important is what it means to be a friend. That’s what we want to look at.
- Notice the unconditional devotion of David’s servants (vs 15). These servants tell David we will do whatever you want us to do for you. It is unconditional support.
- A friend loveth at all times (Proverbs 17:17)
- “I love you, BUT…” It’s not adding BUT to I love you. Just, I love you.
- This is not to be confused with encouraging sin. These good folks are not encouraging David in sin. They’re there to say whatever you need David, we’ll take care of it.
- They want to take care of day-to-day things for David as he needs.
- Jesus is the friend who wants to supply all your need!
Presence (vs 21)
- The fellowship of Ittai probably came from a common experience as David says in verse 19. Common troubling experiences bring people together; common grief, common loss, common tragedy.
- Ittai says in verse 21 that he’s committed to being there with David. Ittai says I’ll be with you wherever you are David. Whether it’s in life or death, I’ll be there.
- This friendship is the highest form of sacrificial love. To be a companion with someone in their trial, even unto death! Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
- Ittai is the friend who is present no matter what.
- Jesus is the ever-present friend. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Godliness (vss 24-25, 28-29)
- Zadok provides direct spiritual support to David. Zadok and David are together because they want to serve God.
- Keep God in his place.
- Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
- Jesus is the friend who always God in his place.
Advocacy (vss 31-37)
- Sometimes friendships are forged because of a need and a caretaker.
- Hushai understands David needs an advocate in Absalom’s inner circle to destroy the advice of Ahithophel. So Hushai becomes a spy for David. He’s in Absalom’s inner circle providing “misinformation” so David’s life will be spared.
- Jesus is the ultimate advocate. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Your greatest satisfaction in this life will come from being a friend. Friendship multiplies joys and divides sorrows. Maybe it’s time to stop with the “everything bad is happening to me” mentality and it’s time to be a friend to someone else. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
