“In the spring, at the time when kings go out to war, David sent out Yo’av, his servants who were with him and all Isra’el. They ravaged the people of ‘Amon and laid siege to Rabbah. But David stayed in Yerushalayim.”-2 Samuel 11:1
I wanna show you something interesting in verse 1.
This is something that can only be recognized in the original Hebrew.
See the part where it says “When kings go out”?
In Hebrew, the phrase is MELECH YATSAH or מֶלֶךְ יָצָא.
מֶלֶךְ (Melech) means “King”…
And יָצָא (Yatsah) means “Went out” or “Has gone out.”
This is a military term normally only used within a war context.
However, the next thing we’re told is that “David sent out Yo’av.”
In the Hebrew, the word for “sent out” is SHALACH or שָׁלַח.
This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible often when someone is sent on a mission, released, or dispatched.
Here are a couple of examples from Scripture:
Exodus 4:13 – “Please send (שְׁלַח), Lord, someone else.”
Genesis 8:8 – “Then he sent (וַיְשַׁלַּח) out a dove to see if the waters had receded.”
However, here’s the thing.
SHALACH is a term applied only to a messenger.
Not to a top military general like Yo’av was.
Do you see what I’m getting at?
The Biblical author is taking a derogatory stance toward David by letting us know that instead of leading his army like a king should…
He sent Joab out like a messenger boy…
While he rested on his laurels back home all safe and comfortable.
The takeaway here is clear.
Kings were supposed to go out to battle – Melech Yatsah…
But David sent Joab instead—Shalach Yoav…
As if he were just a messenger.
The point is David wasn’t where he was supposed to be.
And that one decision led to a chain reaction that led to his downfall.
Why?
Because think about what’s gonna happen next.
He’ll see Bathsheba bathing and find himself head over heels in lust.
This all began by choosing comfort over duty.
So let this be a lesson for us all.
When we avoid the battles we’re called to fight…
We open the door to temptations we were never meant to face.
Ya feel me?
See ya all next time.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Be alert and of sober mind.
Your enemy the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion looking
for someone to devour.”
-1 Peter 5:8
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