By Angie Jarratt
Our last lesson was a rough one and sadly this lesson isn’t going to look much different. T’naya taught us last week about the effects of sin and how they don’t just impact our lives. Sin has a ripple effect and brings devastation and sorrow to everyone and everything that crosses it’s shattering path. That couldn’t be more true as we continue with lesson 8 and 9.
As believers in Christ we must remember that while the enemy has a plan, the Word of God says that ALL things work together for good to those who love God. (Romans 8:28) God’s plan always wins, His people are protected and provided for even in the darkest times.
We left off last week when King David is once again fleeing his kingdom. In lesson 8 we meet some men who will choose to walk with the king and some who will choose to join the rebellion. In all the drama and betrayal, we meet a few good men. These men appear to be loyal followers of David. But not all men in our story this week are loyal out of love for the king and as we dig in we will learn what true loyalty looks like in our text and in our own lives.
I want you to think back to chapter 15 when Absalom starts to conspire against his father David. It didn’t take Absalom much to persuade most of the people to turn and follow him. He got himself a few horses, a chariot and some men to run before him. He started to stand at the gate and tell people what they wanted to hear. Just like that, a snap of the fingers, people start to see David in an irreverent light. The conspiracy grows and even David’s counselor, Ahithophel sees an opportunity and jumps ship. I will make the argument that any group of people that jump ship that quickly were probably not very loyal to David in the first place.
We do meet some men who, no matter what, stay by the king’s side and leave their homes and city in support of David. We also meet a few that stay behind risking their lives to help overthrow this unwarranted takeover. Putting in place a plan to overthrow Absalom and to place the kingdom back in the rightful hands of the true king.
Which leads me to Joab. I’ve kind of been fixated on this guy since we met him back in 2 Samuel 2. He has been David’s commander for a very long time. He’s done some shady things and he’s done some things that I would consider to be honorable to the king. In my study time I constantly find myself questioning his sincerity and motives. He’s one of those guy’s you sort of love to hate, right?
As commander Joab fought and won many battles for the king. Proving himself to be a very efficient leader in battle. Joab was definitely a great warrior, he took care of business and did some good things for his country. We have to give him credit for loyally standing by David’s side for almost four decades, when other men, on more than one occasion deserted David. But we can’t forget that he also disobeys David on several occasions. In chapter 2 Joab’s brother Asahel attempts to kill Abner, the commander of Ish-Bosheth’s army, but only to lose his own life. Joab is furious and against David’s wishes kills Abner to avenge his brother's death. David curses Joab BUT leaves him over the army as commander. In our reading this week we saw Joab disobey David’s command to spare Absalom’s life (2 Samuel 18), and kill Amasa (2 Samuel 20:9-10). Joab’s loyalty is starting to look more like loyalty to himself more than loyalty to the king.
As hard as I’m coming down on ol’ Joab, I have to admit that my idea of loyalty can sometimes look as screwed up as his. I might be fixated on him because I can identify with him. Joab gives into his flesh and most of the time I can relate. Abner killed his brother, Absalom was a gross guy. If this was a Hollywood movie we would be cheering Joab on. But this isn’t the movies, this is real life and deep down I know he’s wrong and king David knows that Joab’s loyalty is flawed. He knows because at one time David had real loyalty in his life.
I’d like to remind us of a man we met several lessons back that was an expert in displaying true and loving loyalty to David. Sweet Jonathan--his life left us a beautiful example of loyal friendship. A friend willing to lay down his throne, his relationship with his own father, and even his life for a friend. Jonathan was everything Joab was not. He never acted out of self preservation. He displayed self control, true humility and a love that ran so deep for his friend. #loyaltygoals.
While both of these men stood by David’s side and never left him. Only Jonathan was loyal for the right reason. Love.
Which brings me back around to myself. What are my motives and how sincere am I when it comes to my relationship with the King? Am I more like Joab, seeking my own agenda and always looking out for numero uno? Or am I more like Jonathan willing to give up my own kingdom to serve the true King.
What does loyalty out of our love for Christ look like?
It’s spending time with Him because we want to, not because it’s our duty. Loyalty to Jesus is standing up even when everyone around us is deserting Him and following the world. It’s sharing the truth of His Word and meeting Him in prayer because we get to, not because it’s what’s expected of us. It’s letting things go when we are offended or even when people hurt those we love. Like Jonathan we out of our love for Christ put down our own agendas, display self control, and true humility. Our loyalty to Jesus then overflows to our relationships with others in our marriages, friendships, and in the body of Christ.
Loyalty takes action. Sometimes loyalty requires self control or denying ourselves something we think we need or deserve. I pray that my loyalty looks like Jonathan’s; I pray that I serve King Jesus no matter what I might lose. I’m praying that kind of loyalty to the King of kings over you too!
With love, Angie