Use the frame on the left to read these Scriptures.
Although David's men had defeated Absalom, David did not march back to Jerusalem with his victorious army to reclaim the throne. Instead, he waited for popular support to arise because he wanted the people to bring him back. Like Solomon after him, he knew that "without subjects a prince is ruined" (Proverbs 14:28).
ISRAEL. Support arose for David first in the northern tribes. Those who wanted to bring David back began making their case. "Who," they asked, "could be a better choice than David? He is the one who delivered us from our enemies, and Absalom is now dead." David was encouraged by Israel's desire to restore him as their king and anxiously waited for news from Judah.
JUDAH. Surprisingly, David's own tribe did not ask him to return. They had been the first to give their support to Absalom, and may have feared reprisals. Accordingly, David asked Zadok and Abiathar to assure them of his favor. Through them, David reminded the men of Judah that he was from their tribe and offered to remove Joab from being commander of his army and to replace him with Amasa, who had been Absalom's commander. This move not only pleased the men of Judah but also punished Joab for disobeying his command regarding Absalom. The men of Judah asked David to return as their king and to bring his men with him.
MERCY. So why didn't David march back to Judah and punish those who joined Absalom's rebellion? David knew by experience that Humpty Dumpty cannot be put back together with a hammer. When he had sinned, God had shown him great mercy. Though he suffered the consequences of his sin, God had forgiven him, made an everlasting covenant with him, and restored his fellowship with God. As one who had who had experienced God's mercy, he knew he should show mercy to others (see Matthew 18:33). He knew that mercy could put the nation together again but that cruelty never would:
A kind man benefits himself,
but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
-- Proverbs 11:17 NIV
When Jesus, the son of David, came to this earth, people often asked him for mercy (Matthew 9:27; 15:22; etc.). His mercy reunites us with him. We love him because he first loved us.
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