David continued to grieve over Absalom's death. Joab talked some sense into him though. Even though Absalom was his son, he didn't need to neglect his people who fought and lost their lives. Their families were grieving too. Doubt grew amongst the people because David fled the country due to Absalom gaining power. David replaced Joab with Amasa as permanent commander in the army. Zadok and Abiathar were to give the elders of Judah a message from David asking, "Why are you so laggard in bringing the king back home?" The people embraced David and he returned home to Jerusalem. They welcomed him, even Shimei, the Benjamanite who hurled insults at him. Mephibosheth arrived to welcome the king. He hadn't combed his hair, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since David left. When asked why he didn't come along when David fled, he said his servant, Ziba, betrayed him. Mephibosheth told Ziba to saddle the donkey so he could ride it and go with David. David suggested they divide up the property between them. Mephibosheth let Ziba have everything because all he cared about was the king's return. Barzilai from Gilead gave his servant Kimham to go with David since he was almost 80 years young.
There was great conflict between the men of Judah and the men of Israel. A trouble maker, Sheba son of Bicri, blew his ram's horn trumpet and called out, "We've got nothing to do with David, there's no future for us with the son of Jesse! Let's get out of here Israel-head for your tents!" All the men of Israel left to follow Sheba.
Side note:The 10 concubines who were left at the palace were put into seclusion under guard. They stayed there until they died.
Amasa reported to David that what Sheba did was worse than what Absalom tried to pull. David gave Amasa the order to hunt him down and kill him. Joab met Amasa in Gibeon and asked how he was. At the same time, he grabbed his beard as if to kiss him but stabbed him in the belly with his sword. Abishai and Joab continued to chase Sheba. One of Joab's soldier's took his post and stated everyone who sides Joab was a supporter of David. Amasa's corpse was very bloody and in the middle of the road. The soldier took the corpse to a field and threw a blanket over him so the whole army wouldn't stop and check him out. Joab's army sized Sheba's army in Abel Beth Maacah. A woman from the city called out for Joab. The woman said, "If it's answers you want, come to Abel and get it straight. We're a peaceful people here and reliable. And here you are, trying to tear down one of Israel's mother cities. Why would you want to mess with God's legacy like that?" Joab stated he wasn't there to hurt anyone or destroy anything, just kill Sheba for revolting against King David. The woman replied, "Sounds good. His head will be tossed to you from the wall." The whole city agreed with the woman's strategy and kept their word. All of Joab's soldiers left for home. Joab was commander again. Benaiah was over the Kerethites and Pelethites. Adoniram was over work crews and Zadok and Abiathar remained priests. Jehoshaphat remained the clerk and Ira was David's chaplain. Unfortunately a 3 year famine came upon them. God told David the reason for the famine was because there was blood on Saul and his house from the time he massacred the Gibeonites. Saul tried to kill them off because he wanted honor of Israel and Judah. David consulted with the Gibeonites and they stated Saul let 7 of his sons be handed over to them for execution. King David spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, but Armoni and Mephibosheth, sons of Rizpah plus the 5 sons of Saul's daughter Merab were turned over and hanged. The beginning of the barley harvest started after their death. The 7 bodies along with Saul and Jonathan's bones were taken back to Benjamin and put in Kish's tomb (Saul's dad).
War broke out again between the Philistines and Israel. Ishbi-Benob announced he'd kill David but Abishai killed him instead. A giant from Gath had 6 fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot. He was a descendent of Rapher. He insulted Israel and David's son Jonathan, born to Shemeah, killed him.
David's top men were: Josheb-Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. They were like the 3 Musketeers. David joined them in a cave in Adullam. They crossed enemy lines at the Philistine's camp in Bethleham. They drew water from the well because David had a craving for it although he didn't drink it. Instead he poured it out and offered it as an offering to God. Benaiah because David's body guard.
Side note: This is a really great book if you get a chance to read it: http://www.amazon.com/Pit-Lion-Snowy-Day-Opportunity/dp/1590527151
God's anger fell upon Israel and David was tested. God told David to take a census of Israel and Judah. Joab resisted David's orders saying, "May your God multiply by the hundreds right before the eyes of my master the king, but why on earth would you do a think like this?" David insisted and Joab took his officers and left to do the census. They arrived back in Jerusalem after 9 months and 20 days. They concluded there were 800,000 able bodied men of Israel and 500,000 in Judah. David felt guilty because he counted the people, replacing his trust with statistics. He confessed his sin to God. A prophet sent by God delivered a message to David telling him he had 3 options:
1. 3 years of famine
2. 3 months of running from their enemies
3. 3 days of an epidemic
David told the prophet he'd rather be punished by God than fall into human hands. God let loose an epidemic from morning to suppertime. Seventy thousand people died from Dan to Beersheba. When the angel came to Jerusalem to destroy it, God felt the pain of terror and told the angel, "Enough's enough! Pull back!" David looked up and saw the angel with his sword drawn. The elders along with David bowed in prayer and covered themselves with rough burlap. God came to David and told him to build an altar where he saw the angel. It so happened to be at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David offered to buy it but Araunah gave him an ox for the burnt offering. David insisted he had to buy it for the a good price. He bought the threshing floor and the ox for 50 shekels of silver. God was moved by the sacrifice of burnt and peace offerings.
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