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. David knew well that Absalom was a ruthless man who valued power over principle. He didn’t want the city of Jerusalem to become a battleground (strike the city with the edge of the sword), so he fled the city. Therefore, 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).
David had been a warrior all his life. It could not have been easy for him to flee Jerusalem. 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)
