“David had reached Machanayim by the time Avshalom and all the men of Isra’el crossed the Yarden.”-2 Samuel 17:24]
In verse 24, suddenly and without any explanation, we’re told that David and his men traveled to a city named MACHANAYIM.
Apparently, David had decided to use this area as his temporary headquarters for the time being.
This was an interesting choice.
Why?
Because this was the precise location where Saul’s surviving son Ishiboshesh had set up his capital.
My point is this was Benjamite territory.
So many of the inhabitants were still undoubtedly loyal to Saul.
Having said that, it was a well-protected city.
Interestingly, it was also one of the Levitical cities of refuge.
Recall, the purpose of a Levitical city was to provide a safe haven for someone who killed another person unintentionally.
Ironically, kinda fitting for David’s situation.
I wonder if David really thought his rebellious son would obey the Torah and not come after him and his men just because of the religious status of MACHANAYIM?
The answer is who knows?
Absalom was a pattern of the anti-Christ after all.
And we all know the chief attribute of the anti-Christ is lawlessness.
He will be a person who is fiercely against the Laws of Moses, teaching that they have been done away with.
So here’s the takeaway coming to me.
David and his men had just entered hostile Benjamite territory.
The people wouldn’t be thrilled to see the man who dethroned their tribal brother, former King Saul, showing up in their neighborhood.
However, the Scripture says…
“Thus says the LORD,
Heaven is My throne,
and the earth is My footstool:
Where is the house that you build unto Me?
And where is the place of My rest?”
-Isaiah 66:1
The point is, not just Israel, but the entire world is the Lord’s property.
Sure, the land of Israel is accorded special holy status.
But the whole earth belongs to God.
And David was God’s anointed.
So he had the authority to tread where he needed…especially in an emergency.
This really wasn’t any different when, on the run from Saul, he and his men ate the shewbread in the Tabernacle.
Sometimes, desperate times call for desperate measures.
It’s also interesting to note that Machanayim was the same spot where Jacob encountered angels before reuniting with his brother Esau.
“And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.”-Genesis 32:1-2
To me, that’s just further proof there is no area inside or outside of Israel, where God and his authorities, whether angels or men, don’t have access to.
So what’s the lesson for us?
No matter how hostile the territory looks…
Or how outnumbered we may feel…
God still owns the ground beneath our feet.
Just as He sent angels to Jacob at Machanayim and gave David refuge there…
He reminds us that His presence isn’t confined to temples, cities, or borders.
Wherever we go…
Even in enemy territory…
God goes before us.
Ya feel me?
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