Prayer as a Revolutionary Act (2 Sam 18.28)
Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.
Background
The rift between David and his son Absalom continued. Sides were chosen. David’s advisor, Hushai, was a spy in the midst of Absalom’s inner circle. When Ahithophel urged a quick attack on David and his forces, Hushai notes that David is a master military leader and his men are experienced warriors. Instead, Absalom should first seek to get all Israel on his side. Of course, this was intentional bad advice because it gave David time to plan and strategize. David set up his headquarters in a fortified city, and contacted those still loyal to him—many had long experience in strategies and battle. Once David had thousands at his command, he asked each of his three commanders, Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, to deal gently with his son. He sent them out to confront Absalom and his army. The battle was fierce and wide-ranging, but David’s men were more experienced. In fleeing, Absalom was caught in a tree by his long, thick hair. Joab killed Absalom there, and his men buried him in a forest.
One of the younger priests asked to deliver the message to David (thinking it was good news), but Joab refused (knowing David would not hear it as good news). Instead, he sent a foreign soldier. Still, the priest begged, and Joab finally allowed him to follow.
The prayer in this passage comes as the messengers arrive. The priest outruns the other, falls before David and tells him that all is well, and offers the prayer-blessing to God for the defeat of Absalom’s forces. David asks him about Absalom, but the priest does not know. When the foreign soldier arrives with the same news, David asks about Absalom. He answers with care: “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up to do you harm, be like that young man.” David is devastated. He cries out that he wishes he had died instead of his son. When the people hear of his reaction, the jubilation turns to mourning and sadness.
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