Today, we begin 2nd Samuel Chapter 16.
For the Complete Jewish Bible, click HERE.
For the King James Version, click HERE.
When David had gone a little past the summit, there was Tziva, the servant of M’fivoshet, who met him with a pair of donkeys saddled and on them 200 loaves of bread, 100 bunches of raisins, 100 pieces of summer fruit, and a skin of wine.”-2 Samuel 16:1
Truthfully, there should have been no chapter break between 2nd Samuel chapters 15 and 16.
The last verse of chapter 15 connects directly to the first verse of chapter 16.
So it seems disjointed to break them up.
Anyways, we’re still at the scene of the grieving procession on the Mount of Olives.
David and his followers are traveling up the same pathway, and along the way, they bump into a string of folks from his past.
We’ve already seen the interactions he had with the faithful Palestinian leader, Ittai.
We also discussed his encounter with the co-High Priests Tzadok and Evyatar.
Then, after some unnamed person informed David of Achitofel’s betrayal, we witnessed David’s encounter with the faithful Hushai, who agreed to be a spy for David in Absalom’s palace.
One by one, David was met by loyal supporters as he exited Jerusalem.
However, all of a sudden, Tziva shows up.
WHAT A SHOCK?!
Tziva was Mephibosheth’s servant.
And he was a gentile.
Keep that fact in your back pocket because it’s going to become very useful in an upcoming lesson.
So, as I just said, David was blown away to see Tziva alone.
Why didn’t Mephiboshesh show up?
Recall Mephibosheth was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson.
He suffered an unfortunate tragedy when both Jonathan and Saul died in a war against the Philistines.
His nurse picked him up to flee, but she accidentally dropped the infant Mephiboshesh, and he became lame in both feet.
After becoming king, David sought to honor Jonathan’s memory.
He did this by caring for Mephibosheth and restoring all the land that had belonged to Saul.
David also gave orders that Mephibosheth would eat at the king’s table like a son.
Despite all the CHESED (grace) David had shown Mephibosheth, why didn’t Mephibosheth come out to support David in his time of need?
That would have seemed the most natural thing for him to do.
Yet, instead, only Tziva, the gentile estate steward, showed up.
And he had a slanderous story to tell about Mephibosheth.
We’ll get into that story the next time we meet.
But for now, let’s switch over to the takeaway.
When we suffer a great tragedy as David did…
Many people from our past will come out of the woodwork…
Some with good intentions and some with bad ones.
But here’s the thing.
In times of crisis, God exposes what’s hidden.
He reveals who’s truly with us…
And who’s only with us when things are easy.
David was heartbroken, barefoot, and betrayed.
Yet it was in that low place on the Mount of Olives that loyalty and lies began to separate themselves.
So don’t be surprised when your crisis draws unexpected people to your side.
Some will come out to comfort you.
Others will come out to manipulate you…
Like all of those unknown relatives who suddenly emerge when you win the lottery.
Either way, be like David.
Stay humble.
Keep walking in the Lord.
And trust that the truth will come out.
Because in God’s timing, it always does.
Later homies.
Crises really reveal who “You are!” Jews are always looking on the outside; there they are with their dead bones. True Christians are on the inside, not worrying who is on their side. Ask Joshua.