Game of Thrones – Triumphant Return of the King

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Thread: Game of Thrones

Post Topic: Triumphant return of the king

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Scripture: 2 Samuel 19:16-43

Key Verses:
²¹Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the Lord’s anointed.”
²²David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” ²³So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.
2 Samuel 19:21-23

Observations

Context

Previously, on Game of Thrones, Bible Edition:

King David’s son Absalom had led a rebellion against his father. He gathered men from the tribes of Israel to the north, and even garnered support from some men of the two tribes in Judah in the south.
Under Absalom’s advance, David fled Jerusalem to the remote city of Mahanaim, where David’s loyal men made their stand and defeated the rebels.
David stayed in Mahanaim for a time, allowing both the Israelites and the Judahites to flounder without a strong leader.
Both sides eventually came to their senses and called for David’s return to Jerusalem. They remembered how good they’d had it under a united kingdom. The 10 northern tribes of Israel called for him first, and then after David reached out to the men of Judah, the two southern tribes eagerly called for him to return as well.
The men of Judah and others met David and his family at the Jordan River as he was crossing over.

The Swarm

A swarm of people swept into the region to greet David. Some of them loved the king, and with a pure heart, wanted to wish him well. Others sought to gain his favor. Still others sought to save their treacherous hides.

Shimei

When David had been fleeing Absalom, Shimei had followed David along, hurling down insults, curses, and literal stones.
Now, Shimei, a Benjamite, hurried down with the men of Judah and 1,000 of his own tribesmen.
He fell before David, admitting his sin, and pledging his support.
David’s warrior Abishai proposed the man be killed for his past reprehensible behavior.
Abishai might have been right, but David extended clemency to Shimei.

Ziba

Ziba was right on Shimei’s heels, with fifteen sons and twenty servants.
Unbeknownst to David, Ziba had betrayed Mephibosheth, the disabled son of David’s beloved friend Jonathan. Ziba had lied about Mephibosheth’s loyalty, rather than helping Mephibosheth flee Jerusalem with David. (Ziba had been Mephibosheth’s personal assistant)
Ziba wanted to greet David before Mephibosheth could set the record straight.
Ziba helped ferry David’s household across the river.

Mephibosheth

Mephibosheth explained to David why he hadn’t left Jerusalem with David’s household, and how Ziba, for personal gain, had lied about Mephibosheth’s motivations.
David reconciled with Mephibosheth.
- He ordered that the land be divided between Ziba and Mephibosheth.
- Mephibosheth said, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.”
- Mephibosheth was simply happy to have the relationship restored.

Barzillai the Gileadite

One of David’s dear friends, Barzillai accompanied David to the crossing, and sent his servant (or possibly his son) Kimham to Jerusalem with David.

David offered Barzillai a place in his court, but the elderly man just wanted to return home.
He sent his servant (or son, in some translations) Kimham instead.
David promised to do anything for Barzillai and Kimham that they ever needed.
A small town near Bethlehem was named after Kimham, so he likely settled there. We don’t know much else about him.

The troops of Judah and Israel

All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel accompanied David and family over the river.

It reads like it was quite a scene, all these people vying for David’s attention and favor.
The Israelites complained that they were first to ask for David to return, and should have had a more favorable position.
The Judahites responded that David had come from the tribe of Judah and was one of their own flesh and blood.

Interpretation

Setting

The primary crossing point of the Jordan was just south of Jericho. It is a desert-like setting, with the river running through it. There were likely ferries available to shuttle David’s family across.

Genre

Narrative description.

Takeaways

David pardoned the man who cursed him, showing exceptional restraint and mercy.
Everybody suddenly wanted to claim to be David’s friend.
David seemed wise enough to see through it. He showed special favor for those who’d remained loyal.
Still, they fought for David’s affection. Everyone seemed to forget that all the tribes descended from Jacob.

Imagine

David stopped halfway down the rocky slope, surveying the scene at the river below. Like a swarm of ants around their queen, the throngs jostled for prime position around their returning hero. A cacophony of harps and bugles and drums warming their instruments floated up, accompanying the voices of the temple choir. Flags waved briskly in the wind. Troops flashed their gleaming swords while the cavalry trotted their stallions back and forth. Cheers erupted to the heavens as the men finally noticed his entourage.

Where had they all been during my escape from Absalom?

David recognized Ziba and his sons preparing the ferry for his family. Good old Ziba. David’s eyes narrowed. What was he doing with Shimei? It looked like the Benjamite had an entire platoon of soldiers accompanying him. Abishai noticed it too. David didn’t have to tell him to tighten up the ranks around his king.

As David approached, the man who’d cursed him out along this very path and hurled stones at him raced toward them. David motioned to his family to wait. He stepped forward, Abishai at his side. Shimei held out his empty hands as he drew closer, then fell face down at David’s feet.

“My lord,” Shimei said. “Please do not hold me guilty. On the day my lord the king left Jerusalem, I have sinned against you. I implore the king to put it out of his mind. I your servant know I have sinned against you, but today I come before you with the men of Benjamin, the first of the tribes to pledge my support to you. The first of the tribes of Joseph to greet you, my king.”

Abishai stepped in front of David. His sharp sword barely made a sound as he drew it from its wooden scabbard. “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this atrocity? He cursed the Lord’s anointed king.”

Below him, Shimei shook. David felt little pity for the man. But this should be a day of celebration. A day to unite the men of Israel and the men of Judah. And Abishai’s brother had been the one to kill his son Absalom. No, he would not give Abishai such satisfaction today.

“What does this have to do you with you, you sons of Zeruiah?” David said to Abishai. “What right have you to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I already know that I am king over Israel?” He turned to Shimei. “Rise. You shall not die today. I swear my oath to you as God’s anointed. Go. Tell your men to sin no more.”

Shimei bowed and thanked him profusely and made a hasty exit. David watched him leave, knowing Shimei was not a man to be trusted. David made a mental note to warn Solomon about the man. Someday, he’d have to be dealt with.

Correlation

Luke 14:7-11

Jesus tells the parable of a wedding feast, where some try to take the position of honor nearest the wedding party. But this runs the risk of being asked to move, for the position might be reserved for another. Thus you would suffer the humility of having to pick up and switch to a lesser table. How much better to start at the worst table, and be honored by being asked to be move closer?

Verse 11 sums it up: For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Application

Generic Applications

Most of these men argued and fought about who was the most deserving of being near to the returning king. There are some takeaways to be gleaned about the discernment that David showed. But we’re going to focus on the men that are described in this passage.

Shimei – he wanted the honor of being first to greet David, and to present his fighting men, as a sign that he should be forgiven and honored in the restored regime. David granted his request, but on his deathbed, instructed Solomon to execute Shimei.

Ziba – wanted the honor of being known as the one who assisted David’s family across the Jordan. He was later exposed as a fraudster.

Mephibosheth – He simply wanted to set the record straight and to be reconciled with David. Humbly, he allowed Ziba to keep all of the estate David had granted. Mephibosheth remained by David’s side permanently.

Barzilli – He just wanted the pleasure of accompanying his friend David back across the Jordan. He asked for nothing in return. But in return, David told him he could have anything he ever wanted. David granted Barzilli’s servant Kimham a plot of land near his hometown of Bethlehem.

The elders of Judah and Israel – On the other side of the Jordan in Gilgal, these men argued about the reception of David, and how so many of the Israelites were excluded from the ceremony. They had a point, but this shouldn’t have been a time to stir things up. For their part, the elders of Judah were criticized even more strongly for their forceful claims. These wounds never healed, and eventually God’s Chosen People split into two separate kingdoms. Only two generations later.

Personalize it

When you study the men listed above in the Generic Applications, does the parable in the Correlations section ring true?

What table will you choose next time you’re invited to a wedding? What chair will you take when you’re invited to a meeting with the CEO?

Bible study methodology adapted from Searching the Scriptures with permission from Tyndale House:

Swindoll, Charles, Searching the Scriptures. Tyndale House Publishers, 2016.

Daniel P Warner