Day 135.
Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. But if he says, ‘I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.” (2 Samuel 15:25-26 ESV )
David is fleeing the city because of His son, Absolom’s rebellion. The priests loyal to him bring with them the Ark of the Covenant but David sends it back. In so doing he risks never getting to enter the house of God again, that which has been his greatest joy (e.g. see Psalm 16 and 84). But he also knows that the.kingdom is more important than even his own life. This is reflected in his statement,
If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. But if he says, ‘I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.”
It is such a powerful statement. David loves the Lord and His kingdom more even than his own life. It is reminiscent of Jesus’ own betrayal which took place in much the same place, the Mount of Olives, and gives insight as to Jesus’ attitude. He did not consider his life even more important than God’s purposes for His kingdom.
David is such a great example of a servant that truly loves his Lord. He was never ashamed of his love and never seemed to be doubtful of His faithfulness.