A Leader's True Friend

Our eyes are focused on 2 Samuel 12: 26 -31.

However, I shall only quote for you, 2 Samuel 12: 26 – 28.

Meanwhile Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal citadel. Joab sent messengers to David saying, I have fought against Rabbah and taken its water supply. Now muster the rest of the troops and besiege the city and capture it. Otherwise I will take the city, and it will be named after me.

King David is the great warrior who has been in a time of deep sorrow and repentance. He has been under the disciplining finger of Almighty God. He has down his weapons, arms and all that he once did. He has withdrawn into himself. It is true that the Lord has forgiven him and given Bathsheba another son. But David has not looked at his role as conquering king. There are still places to conquer, but David has neglected this part of his life. He just is not ready for it. Nevertheless, his commander in chief, continues the work of fighting and conquering.

Joab, the commander in chief of Israel’s army, during his master, David’s, down time, carries on the work of his master. But Joab thinks that it is time for David to shake off the past and return to his role as leader and king. Joab, in the meanwhile, does not close up shop as it were. Joab keeps momentum and goes and fights against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captures the royal citadel. Joab then sends a message to his master, that great warrior saying, he has fought against Rabbah and taken its water supply. He tells his master to gather together the rest of the troops and besiege the city and capture the city. Then he boldly tells his master that if he does not do it, he Joab, will do it himself. He will take the city, and it will be named after Joab.

You are looking at how the right hand man of this leader, helps his leader to the place to which God Himself had called him. Joab knows that he has to do something to fire up the king. He knows that it is high time his beloved leader looks once more like the soldier he once was and the soldier he still can be. Joab is very firm, clear and sharp in his words. Listen to him again. Joab has carried on the work of the Lord’s army and the Lord has been faithful to him, giving him victory after victory, but he wants the name of the king, his leader, to bear the victories.

David is leader and Joab wants the name of his leader to feature again. He refuses to see David just drop out and die like that. He refuses to see such a talent and gift go to waste. Joab will not let David’s power and promise, go to nought like that, no! Today, enough is enough. He has given David enough time for himself. He has given him enough, out-time. It is time for his admired and beloved master and king to return to his position in practical, visible form. Joab tells David what has already been done, the progress, as it were, that has already been made.

Says Joab to David,

I have already fought and captured Rabbah, the Ammonite place.

I have already captured the royal city.

I have already secured their water supply.

Now this is what Joab tells David that he must do.

You must muster the rest of the fighting men.

You must go and besiege the city.

You must capture it.

This is the deciding moment for David. This is the choice Joab gives his friend and leader. You capture the city, or I shall do it myself and this city of the Ammonites, will be named after me. David cannot let this happen for he is king, he is leader and he is the one whom the Lord has anointed to do this job of fighting and conquering their enemies. For David to refuse, he would be giving up and denying all that God has just done for him. David would be denying the grace of forgiveness and fruit giving.

Has not God blessed him, with forgiving him of his murderous sin, and given him back his life? Has not God now blessed him with fruit, and not left him fruitless and barren? Yet, with all these blessings, this reinstating, why has David not returned to the work of fighting? Why is he not conquering the enemies of the Lord God? Whatever the reason, see the perfect work of a friend, one who refuses to stand by and see a life go to waste. See how David’s life is lifted once again, to return to be the soldier God has brought him back to be.

Where are you, in this time of your life? Are you as a David? Are you the one listening to the voice that is offering you a productive life again? Do you need to hear and move away from your mood of down-ness? Are you the one who needs to listen and rise from your excuses? Are you the one who needs to receive the strong, stern word of one who loves you and refuses to see you throw away the gifts the Lord has given to you?