“When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, “What do you mean to do with these?” So Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink.” 3 Then the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’ ” ” 2 Samuel 16:1-3 NKJV
“Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came. 6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.” 2 Samuel 6:5-6 NKJV
King of Kings and Lord of Lords,
David is fleeing from Absalom, his son, and his son’s hunger for power and bloodthirsty army. All the opportunists want to find their own opportunities under Absalom. David’s had much history of victory over the Israelites enemies and they have known peace as a nation. David was not a trant. Bu that is all forgotten. And Absalom was a tactical two faced schemer against the Lord’s anointed. Fickle loyalty?
And how was David greeted on his way out and down from kingship? Was Ziba being genuine when he generously carried much needed food to them? But did he lie about Mephibosheth’s reason for not coming (2 Samuel 19:24-27) to look good? Then there was Shimei throwing stones and cursing David while everyone watched from the right and the left. A public humiliation!
Someone once said to me when I got a role in management. Be careful how you treat others as you are going up because you may meet them again coming down! Did David merit this behaviour? Some people just enjoy kicking those who are down. James in his New Testament letter says we should be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry (James 1:19 Amplified Bible). Going up or coming down!
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 14th April 2026
A timeless prayer.
Blest are the pure in heart,
for they shall see our God;
the secret of the Lord is theirs,
their soul is Christ’s abode.
The Lord, who left the heavens
our life and peace to bring,
to dwell in lowliness with men,
their pattern and their King;
Still to the lowly soul
he doth himself impart,
and for his dwelling and his throne
chooseth the pure in heart.
Lord, we thy presence seek;
may ours this blessing be;
give us a pure and lowly heart,
a temple meet for thee.
Lyrics: John Keble