Deal Gently

Deal Gently
Words of Faith 3-14-25
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2025
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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2 Samuel 17
[24] David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. [25] Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Jether, an Israelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. [26] The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead. [27] When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim [28] brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, [29] honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, "The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert."
[18:1] David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. [2] David sent the troops out--a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, "I myself will surely march out with you." [3] But the men said, "You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won't care about us. Even if half of us die, they won't care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city." [4] The king answered, "I will do whatever seems best to you." So the king stood beside the gate while all the men marched out in units of hundreds and of thousands. [5] The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, "Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake." And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders.

David was on the run. He had managed to escape from Jerusalem through the subterfuge of his spy network. He now crossed the Jordan and set up temporary headquarters in Mahanaim, which had once been the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Mahanaim was fortified but also a friendly location. There may have been a residue of good feelings toward David because of David's past favors toward Saul's family. There, he was able to augment his supplies and regroup his followers and soldiers. The delay arranged by Hushai had its intended effect in allowing David to organize and reinforce.
David was now in a secure location with supplies replenished. He quickly took measures to reorganize his troops and prepare them for the inevitable encounter with Absalom. David divided the troops among three generals but was also determined to be personally involved in the attack. He may have learned some of the hard lessons from directing war from a distance.
David's commanders and comrades dissuaded him from this idea. They contended that he was worth 10,000 of them and too valuable to risk. If half of them died, all would go on, but if he died, the whole cause would be lost. Reluctantly, David agreed to remain behind but commanded his officers not to harm Absalom in the battle—"Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake."
It is striking that even when Absalom was immersed in a murderous rebellion against his father, David was still seeking to be gentle toward Absalom if only for his sake as a father. Be gentle—literally move softly—with my son, for my sake. There is a tenderness here, much like the heart of God desiring to do anything possible to retrieve this relationship and preserve his child even though such grace is not deserved.
It was probably difficult for the soldiers and commanders to understand why David would be so patient, but this can only come from the heart of God. When the Lord God revealed Himself to Moses, He passed in front of him proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6). Scripture is clear that God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). This is the heart of God.

Thank You, God, for seeking to deal with me gently despite my rebellion. Thank You for seeking me in Your mercy and compassion even while I was still a sinner. Thank You for being slow to anger and abounding in love. Give me that same heart toward others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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