Silas
Beloved of All
You are remembering 2 Samuel 19, verses 11 through 14.
After Absalom rebelled, David had to leave Jerusalem and the kingdom was torn. When Absalom was killed in battle, the people throughout the tribes began to talk about bringing David back to the throne, for he was the anointed king who had delivered them, yet they had followed his son for a time.
At that moment there was hesitation among the men of Judah, David's own tribe. David had first reigned seven years in Hebron over Judah alone, and then thirty three years in Jerusalem over all Israel, so his closest ties were with Judah. When he heard that the rest of Israel was ready to welcome him back and Judah was still holding back, he sent a message through Zadok and Abiathar the priests to the elders of Judah.
He asked them, why are you the last to bring back the king to his house, since the talk of all Israel has come to the king. You are my brothers, my bone and my flesh, why then are you the last.
Scripture then says he bowed or inclined the heart of all the men of Judah as the heart of one man, so that they sent word to the king to return, both he and all his servants. It does not mean he forced them, but that by his gracious appeal he won them and turned their hearts to be united again. They responded as one and invited him to come back across the Jordan and take his throne again.
It is a beautiful picture of restoration after rebellion and division, and it points to the greater King, Jesus, whom God has anointed and whom we are called to welcome with a willing and united heart.
After Absalom rebelled, David had to leave Jerusalem and the kingdom was torn. When Absalom was killed in battle, the people throughout the tribes began to talk about bringing David back to the throne, for he was the anointed king who had delivered them, yet they had followed his son for a time.
At that moment there was hesitation among the men of Judah, David's own tribe. David had first reigned seven years in Hebron over Judah alone, and then thirty three years in Jerusalem over all Israel, so his closest ties were with Judah. When he heard that the rest of Israel was ready to welcome him back and Judah was still holding back, he sent a message through Zadok and Abiathar the priests to the elders of Judah.
He asked them, why are you the last to bring back the king to his house, since the talk of all Israel has come to the king. You are my brothers, my bone and my flesh, why then are you the last.
Scripture then says he bowed or inclined the heart of all the men of Judah as the heart of one man, so that they sent word to the king to return, both he and all his servants. It does not mean he forced them, but that by his gracious appeal he won them and turned their hearts to be united again. They responded as one and invited him to come back across the Jordan and take his throne again.
It is a beautiful picture of restoration after rebellion and division, and it points to the greater King, Jesus, whom God has anointed and whom we are called to welcome with a willing and united heart.
