It is evident from the events of 19:40-20:26 that the seeds of division and strife remained in David’s kingdom at this time. It was a volatile situation and it didn’t take much for things to explode into division and fighting. Joab’s murder of Amasa here is indicative of the broader situation at play. David had made the gracious move of reconciling himself with Amasa who had commanded Absalom’s rebel army. Not only this, but he had made Amasa commander of his newly united forces in the place of Joab. Joab took Amasa’s failure to summon the troops of Judah in time as an excuse to satisfy his resentment against Amasa and kill him. So, while David himself seems to be in a good place (as is evident from his gracious gestures expressed in the last chapter) his Kingdom is crumbling with all this infighting. It is sad to see the community of God so divided. Yet what we see here is normal by historical standards. Division and infighting have destroyed every kingdom and empire that has arisen in this world. It is a testimony to the dysfunctionality of human nature. For this reason, when people achieve enduring unity, it can only be a supernatural thing. It requires a group of people to see together something bigger and more important than their personal life goals and agendas. It requires people to honour one another and even prefer others over themselves. This is a remarkable thing when it happens. It is what will make the Christian movement stand out (John 17:23). Are you willing to be a part of this?
Is there anyone in your community that you need to reconcile with?
Read 2 Samuel 19:40-20:26
