A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of
Israel are with Absalom.” Then David said to all his officials who were with
him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom.”
(vv.13-14)
David, upon receiving the news that Absalom had conspired
against him and was ready to attack Jerusalem, found himself in a dilemma. He
could stay in Jerusalem, arm his soliders and fight against his own son or,
flee. We read here that David ordered everyone to flee the city. He knew that
if they stayed Absalom would overtake it and bring ruin to the entire city (v.14).
Backing down is not always easy because our pride gets in the
way. However, it is just as courageous to back down for the sake of others as
it is to stand and fight. Proverbs 16:18 says, “a prideful heart always leads
to destruction.” What is there to prove if we lose everything in the process?
Just as David wisely counted the cost associated with standing
and fighting (in Jerusalem, the holy city, where the ark rested, against his
son), we must do the same. Choose your battles wisely. There is a time to fight
and a time to back down for the sake of others. Save the fight for another day.
The Truth
“To everything there is a
season, A time for every purpose under heaven..” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
