In this chapter David’s general, Joab, devises a plan to convince David to bring Absalom back into Jerusalem. Absalom, one of David’s sons, was exiled after killing his half-brother Amnon (another of David’s sons).
“Then the king answered the woman, ‘Do not hide from me anything I ask you.’ And the woman said, ‘Let my lord the king speak.’ The king said, ‘Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?’ The woman answered and said, ‘…It was your servant Joab who commanded me; it was he who put all these words in the mouth of your servant. In order to change the course of things your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth.’ ” (v18-20 abr)
Joab gets a respected woman from an outlying town to tell David a story which has a veiled purpose – Joab wants David to receive his banished son Absalom back into Jerusalem. Joab had the best intentions – he knew David longed to see his son – however Joab did not know that supporting Absalom’s return would backfire very badly in the near future.
Based on the quoted passage above, it’s clear that David knew Joab was behind the plot to have Absalom return. This probably implies that Joab had approached David directly with the same request, but the request had been denied. Based on how badly things turn out in the near future, David was probably right to deny Absalom’s return. It seems he just concedes because Joab is relentless with his attempts.
I would suggest that when we’re trying to change someone’s mind on something, subterfuge and deception are not the way to do it. Joab takes a sneaky approach to convince David to pardon Absalom, but he probably should have dropped the matter altogether and respected David’s wishes. Finally convincing David to bring his son back does not end up being a blessing.
I encourage us that if we see someone we think is in need of convincing, the best thing to do is pray, and rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance (a step Joab seemed to skip). It’s possible He will provide scriptures or godly counsel that will gently nudge the person in the right direction – or maybe gently nudge us in the right direction if our will is out of alignment with God’s will.
Let’s not forget that regardless of our motivation(s), getting our way at all costs can be very costly, especially when our will is in conflict with God’s will.
Father God, our Sovereign Lord and King, great and mighty is Your holy name. Father You alone have absolute authority in creation, and we ask for Your help to remember that. Father, before we get our minds made up on something, please help us to run it by You first. Father, by pursuing something that is in opposition to Your will, even if we have ‘the best intentions’, we are not serving those around us. By employing deception or subterfuge to get a point across, we are also not serving those around us. Please help us to obey Your will with transparency and authenticity to those around us so we may serve them better. In the name of Jesus, the one who served You flawlessly, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training