1. Joab confronts David (1-8)

Unfortunately, there was a great distinction between David's son and David's followers. In Joab's eyes, David didn't care about his followers at all. We feel David's pain as he grieved over the death of his son Absalom, but we also understand Joab's perspective. David's mourning was robbing his faithful servants of the joy of victory. Instead of being welcomed home as heroes, they stole into the city and were filled with shame. Joab was right. David seemed to hate those who loved him. In Christ, there is no distinction between family and followers. Pointing to his disciples, Jesus said, "Here are my mother and my brothers." There is never shame in serving Jesus. There is only the joy of victory. David listened to Joab's rebuke and went out to his men.

2. David's return (9-23)

The people of Israel were divided over what they should do. David worked hard to restore unity in many different ways. He appealed to the elders of Judah to bring him back to his palace and soothed any fears of retribution by appointing Amasa to be the commander of the army. In this way, he won over their hearts. David also pardoned Shimei who pleaded with him for mercy. The unity was precarious, but the rightful king was reigning over Israel again.