Grace for the Humble

Reflections on 2 Samuel 15:24-37
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Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
-- James 4:10

David had to swallow his pride to flee from his son Absalom and allow him to occupy the royal city. Not only did David swallow his pride, but he also humbled himself before God.

RESPECT. David showed the utmost respect for God when he sent the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem. The ark was the symbol of God's presence in Israel. When Israel had been traveling from Egypt to Canaan, the ark went with them. Indeed, it led them. But now God had given Israel their inheritance and no longer led Israel from place to place. Now he had chosen Jerusalem as his dwelling place (2 Kings 21:7-8). David respected God's choice, and he believed that God could bring him back to Jerusalem if he found favor in God's sight. Therefore, he commanded Zadok, "Take the ark of God back into the city."

HUMILITY. Moreover, David was willing to accept whatever God chose for him. As he left the city, he wept. He did not weep for what he was leaving behind, but he wept in humble repentance knowing that God was disciplining him for his sin. Therefore he covered his head and removed his sandals as he ascended the Mount of Olives just as Moses had hid his face and removed his sandals at the burning bush on Mt. Sinai.

PRAYER. As David was leaving the city, he was told that his trusted advisor Ahithophel had joined Absalom's conspiracy. Ahithophel had a reputation for giving counsel that was like the counsel of God (2 Samuel 16:23), so David knew that he had to depend on God to nullify Ahithophel's advice. Showing his dependence on God, David prayed, "O LORD, turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness."

PROVISION. God saw David's humility before he fled the city or knew his need, so God had already made provision for him. God's priests, Zadok and Abiathar, had remained loyal to David. David was able to send them back into the city where they could collect valuable information and relay it on to David. When David prayed that God would turn Ahithophel's advice to foolishness, God had already planned for Hushai, another of David's wise counselors, to meet him. David sent Hushai back to Jerusalem to infiltrate Absalom's inner circle, nullify Ahithophel's counsel, and pass Absalom's plans to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, who would then inform David.

David did not depart the city a proud and defiant man. He did not stand at the top of the Mount of Olives overlooking the city and vow, "I shall return." In his humility, he left his future in the hands of God. God saw his humility and chose to lift him up. David wisely used the help that God gave him.