The Return of King David

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen People. 00:00:13 Speaker 2: Please deal gently with Absalom. 00:00:17 Speaker 3: Do not kill him, capture him, but please spare his life if you can. M m hmm. 00:01:25 Speaker 4: Shot up. 00:01:33 Speaker 3: You want to know something after all this, your father still wanted me to spare you. You received Bessie after your father gave it twice. 00:02:09 Speaker 5: Sallo, my friends, from here in the Holy Land of Israel, i'm y l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth that we are all chosen for something great. So take a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if you left us a review. I read every single one of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can visit IFCJ dot org. 00:02:55 Speaker 6: Let's begin. 00:02:58 Speaker 1: In the shadow of the twin Gates of Mahanaim. David sat like a man already in mourning, though the king's body remained still, his heart beat like a war drum, trembling at each whisper of the wind that carried death from the forest of Ephraim. He wanted to be out there fighting, yes, but also to protect his son from harm. He had given the order not to harm Absalom, But orders, like oaths, were often lost in the noise of war. He knew his men, joe Ab chief among them, were seasoned, deadly warriors. Yet that didn't give him peace, For the same steel that won him a crown could just as easily rob him of a son. 00:03:52 Speaker 2: Protect the lord, protecting. 00:03:57 Speaker 1: Him from the battle. Above, the sharp cry of a watchman cut through the heavy air. There was a messenger approaching. David's head. Snapped up A lone runner meant a message, not retreat. It was Ahimaya's, son of Zadok. He ran like a man bearing good news, his face bright with triumph. As he reached the gate, his voice rang out like a trumpet. 00:04:26 Speaker 2: All is well, my king. 00:04:27 Speaker 5: The Lord has delivered your enemies into your hand. 00:04:31 Speaker 2: Joe Ab and the mighty men crushed them with fire and fury. The rebellion has ended. 00:04:37 Speaker 4: And the boy what of Absalom? 00:04:42 Speaker 2: There was much confusion. I didn't see the prince myself. 00:04:47 Speaker 1: Perhaps he fled with the rest. A second runner crested the hill. Joe ab himself sent this one. The kushed stride was sure, but his face bore a grim tightness. He bowed low before the. 00:05:01 Speaker 2: King, My lord, the God of Justice has given you victory. 00:05:06 Speaker 3: May all who rise against you fall as the young man Absalom has. 00:05:12 Speaker 1: The words dropped like stones into the well of David's soul. He staggered back, leaning hard against the stone wall behind the gate. His eyes were wide, unseeing. Then his legs gave way, and he sank to the earth, as if crushed by the weight of his crown. His fists pounded the ground, the dust drank his tears. 00:05:44 Speaker 2: By side. 00:05:47 Speaker 4: That it should have been me. 00:05:50 Speaker 2: About by stop. 00:05:56 Speaker 1: The cries echoed through the gatehouse, down the corridor, and into the marrow of every man within earshot. Soldiers turned their eyes to the floor. David's sorrow sucked any joy of victory right out of the room. David was carried to a chamber beyond the gates, where he lay his face to the cold floor. He spoke to no one for three days. He remained there weeping. The kingdom had won, but the king had lost. Joab thundered in with David's bravest men behind him. Gilead's gates creaked open before him, and dust rose in his wake. The battle was over, the prince was dead, the throne was secured. 00:06:50 Speaker 4: The joyce men, drain dance. You've done well. 00:06:55 Speaker 1: Joab dismounted and looked around. None of the guards were rejoicing. The men who had made it there before. Joe Ab was sitting quietly and somberly. Bathsheba was there to greet him and the men. 00:07:10 Speaker 7: Well done, joe Ab, You and your men fought valiantly. 00:07:15 Speaker 2: And why does this place look like a graveyard? Where the tambourines are the dancing? Where's the king? 00:07:23 Speaker 7: The king is mourning his son. He's what He's locked away in that tower, mourning of Psalom's death. There's no celebration, no music, no feast, just tears and wails echoing from his chamber. 00:07:40 Speaker 4: I swear that manchild is aging in reverse. He's weeping after we just want him back the throne. 00:07:49 Speaker 7: Oh this is how he gets now. It's like this cloud that hovers over him, blocking out all joy and hope he hasn't eaten in days. 00:07:59 Speaker 2: I won't his grief, Ronald men of celebration. 00:08:03 Speaker 1: Joe Ab stormed toward the tower, armor still dirty from war. 00:08:10 Speaker 2: David. 00:08:11 Speaker 1: Joab didn't knock. He strode to the King's door and kicked it open. The room was dim save for the slivers of sunlight bleeding through the shutters. There, lying on the floor like a dying dog was the once mighty King David. David rolled toward him, eyes sunken and bloodshot. 00:08:34 Speaker 2: What are you doing? 00:08:37 Speaker 4: What am I doing? 00:08:40 Speaker 2: I'm winning back the throne for you? What are you doing? Your men bled for you, They. 00:08:45 Speaker 4: Marched through storm and steel to give you back your crown, and you lie here like a widow, weeping into your sleeves. 00:08:55 Speaker 1: David propped himself up, still on the floor. 00:09:00 Speaker 2: The son, Joab, have some compassion. 00:09:04 Speaker 4: No fresh out of compassion, all blood out, trying to win back the throne from that psychopath. 00:09:12 Speaker 1: David lunged up and stepped toward Joe Ab with rage. 00:09:17 Speaker 2: Do not speak of my get sound that way? Have you no respect? 00:09:22 Speaker 4: Respect? You want to talk about respect? 00:09:26 Speaker 1: Joe Ab cocked his hip back and struck David clean in the jaw. David reeled floud at his lip. David lunged forward, but joe Ab halted him with his shoulder, slamming him into the stone wall with a crash that echoed down the corridor. Joe Ab grabbed the king by the collar and shoved him towards the window. 00:09:48 Speaker 4: Look out there, look at your men, What about their respect? 00:09:53 Speaker 1: David struggled, but joe Ab drove his forearm into the King's throat, pinning him lock below. Thousands of soldiers filled the courtyard, men with bandaged wounds, broken spears, torn cloaks. They all sat sullen. Some leaned on each other for support, Others sat quietly, eyes on the palace, waiting. Joab's voice dropped low and lethal. 00:10:24 Speaker 2: You've shamed them. They fought for your life, your wives, your children, and you soak in your chambers like. 00:10:33 Speaker 4: Your son was the only one lost. 00:10:36 Speaker 1: David turned from the window, his breath trembling. Joe Abs stepped in, pointing a finger at the King's chest, voice trembling with the fury of grief. 00:10:48 Speaker 4: You love those who hate you, and hate those who love you. You mourn soul, You wept for absalom. 00:10:55 Speaker 2: And today you act as if. 00:10:57 Speaker 4: You'd have traded their lives for us. 00:11:01 Speaker 1: A long silence stretched between them. The wind stirred the broken door on its hinges. 00:11:08 Speaker 4: Do you wish all of them dead and your sons still alive, wreaking havoc on your nation? 00:11:14 Speaker 1: Joe ab swallowed hard. The iron edge of his tone softened just slightly. 00:11:20 Speaker 2: You do not go down there and speak to young men. I swear by the Lord. No young man left with you by nightfall. 00:11:29 Speaker 1: He turned without another word and walked out. David stood alone, shaken, rubbing his bruised jaw. He looked once more out the window at the men who had fought for him, bled for him, and followed him into exile. He took a breath, and he moved. The courtyard buzzed with the slow, easy laughter of men who had faced death and returned to tell the tale. Swords were laid down, bandages were tied with rough hands. They lounged in the dust, broken and bruised, yet whole in spirit, brothers in arms, sharing bread, wine and the warmth of survival. Then a hush fell, like a sudden wind. Every head turned, the doors of the tower creaked open, and King David stepped forth. He looked older than before, shoulders stooped with grief, hair damp with sweat, but there was strength in his step and a fire in his eyes that had not been there for days. The crown was gone from his brow, but he bore something greater resolve. The soldiers rose to their feet, standing at attention, bruised bodies snapping to posture with reverence. David lifted his head. He saw Abesh eye Eliezon nodding in approval. He saw jasherbeam, old now but still strong. Beniah was at his side, stoic, but his eyes reflected pride. 00:13:09 Speaker 4: The King of. 00:13:10 Speaker 1: Israel stepped down, paused, and raised his hands to the heavens. The sunlight broke through the clouds, casting a golden sheen on the king's upturned face. 00:13:22 Speaker 4: Bless be the Lord who redeems his people and binds up the broken hearted. 00:13:29 Speaker 2: He has God regardless. 00:13:31 Speaker 1: A roar broke forth. Cheers echoed across the courtyard, like thunder rolling through a valley. Men wept openly. Others threw down their weapons and. 00:13:43 Speaker 2: Ran to him. 00:13:45 Speaker 1: David met them all one by one, embracing warriors like sons, kissing the foreheads of captain's clasping, calloused hands. He laughed and cried, thanking them with words as humble as they were. 00:13:59 Speaker 4: Heartfel, You've carried the heart of Israel on your shoulders. 00:14:04 Speaker 2: You've never failed me. Not once. 00:14:06 Speaker 4: I shall sing of your bravery in the courts of Jerusalem. 00:14:10 Speaker 1: Joab stood apart beneath a fig tree. He spat, shook his head, and left without a word. David watched Joab leave, clenching his bruised jaw. He turned back to the men. He was once again their shepherd. In the days that followed, he gathered the elders of Judah and Israel, sitting in council with those who had wavered, who had bowed to Absalom out of fear or foolish hope. He did not speak harshly nor demand penance. Instead, he forgave them, He welcomed them. Mercy was not weakness in David's eyes, It was strength wrapped in humility. For all Joab's bitter truths, he was wrong in this. David would never stop forgiving those who wronged him, because he had been forgiven much, because he knew what it was to fall and be lifted by grace. He would extend that same grace again and again. 00:15:18 Speaker 2: But even as. 00:15:19 Speaker 1: The people wept with joy and the king returned to the throne, a shadow lingered in the land. Whispers moved like cold wind through the hills. Not all were ready for peace, not all believed in the King's mercy, and not all hearts had turned. Trouble was coming, But for now there was singing in the streets and a king restored. 00:15:51 Speaker 5: If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and it has affected your life, we'd love it if you left her of youew we read them, and me personally I cherish them as you venture forth boldly and faithfully. 00:16:06 Speaker 6: I leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six Ivare Hashem vischmerecher Yeah Heir hashempanave ileha cha ye sa hashempanave Lechra Salon. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you, May he be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace. Amen. 00:16:35 Speaker 1: You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Exstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the Pray dot Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellavaga and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yaile Exstein. Edited by Alberto Avilla, rated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvado, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin, kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot Com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.