2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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THE KING SAW THE TRUTH IN THE PARABLE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
2 Samuel 14
Ecclesiastes 3:15-22
“…God doeth it,
that men should fear before him.”
THE KING SAW THE TRUTH IN THE PARABLE
David gave an easy judgment and assured the woman that her son would not die. The woman then revealed her intention to the king thus in verse 13: “And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.” Those remarks brought him to his senses.
The woman then expressed her desire that the king would grant her request. She was persuaded that she had made herself clear and the king would respond positively. Even though the parable was not devised by her, she was referred to as a wise woman of Tekoah. She was able to speak to the king with dignity. She later revealed the source of her plea. She represented herself in the parable as a widow but, in reality, she was selected for that task because of her wisdom.
Joab was also a leader in Israel and he belonged to the inner circle of the king and he chose that woman knowingly. There is a spiritual application as Matthew Henry observed, “We may notice here, how this widow pleads God’s mercy, and his clemency toward poor guilty sinners… The state of sinners is a state of banishment from God. God pardons none to the dishonor of his law and justice, nor any who are impenitent; nor to the encouragement of crimes, or the hurt of others.”
David knew the intention of the parable. He was also a judge and knew that he was required to make reasonable judgments. The matter before him was personal because Joab was pleading on behalf of a member of the king’s family. When the woman had told all to the king, he knew straightaway the source of that matter. Joab wanted to see an end to that predicament.
THOUGHT: “…in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Prov 11:14)
PRAYER: Father, may Thy mercy be my hope at all times.