David Restored
When David had made peace with his offended soldiers, he waited to see what the people of Israel would do next. Almost everyone wanted him to come back and be king over them once more; but those who had cause to dread his vengeance held back, especially the elders of Judah, his own tribe, which had been foremost in the support of Absalom. The leader among these Judahites was Amasa, David’s nephew, who had been made by Absalom commander of all his soldiers. So David sent word to Amasa promising to let him retain his high post and be captain of all the king’s armies in place of Joab. Perhaps this was done as much in resentment against Joab as in favor of Amasa.
It had its effect. Amasa and all Judah understood they were forgiven. There was a general jubilation. Everybody united in urging the king to return. The faithful men of the east escorted him to Jordan; and there all the chiefs of Israel met him to be his escort to Jerusalem. Even Shimei, who had stoned him, came now to entreat forgiveness; and, when the soldiers would have slain him, David stayed them and pardoned him, that there might be no blot upon the mercy of the day.
Comments