PJP2 PROLOG 160526 PROLOG Focus - 2 Samuel 19:1-8....

1 Chronicles 16:8-9 (ESV/emphasis added/jaj)...."Oh Give Thanks To The Lord; Call Upon His Name; Make Known His Deeds Among the peoples!  Sing To Him, Sing Praises To Him; Tell of ALL His Wondrous Works!"....

PJP2 PROLOG POST 160526 - 2 Samuel 19:1-8 (ESV/emphasis added/jaj)...."It was told Joab, 'Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.'

So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that day, 'The king is grieving for his son.'

And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle.

The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, 'O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!'

Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, 'You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines, because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you.  For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased.  NOW  therefore Arise, Go out and speak kindly/encourage your men/servants, for I swear By The Lord, IF you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and This Will Be Worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.'

Then the king Arose And Took his seat in the gate.

And the people were all told, 'Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.'  AND All the people Came Before the king."....
What a Great Story of 'simple as dirt' Encouragement, Guidance and Discernment by God's Holy Spirit to us via Joab and David's interaction following the shut down of Absalom's Rebellion.  I Hear The Holy Spirit telling me Three Key Points for today's PJP2 PROLOG POST 160526....

Attitude Does Determine Altitude;
Balance Is A Key to LIFE;
Heed Indeed The WORD Shared with you

Clearly Joab nails it when he lights into King David for David's having become a whiny, 'woe-is-me' monarch.  David's negative Attitude was having a PROFOUND downward-impact on his troops and his subjects.  Joab called David out on that - I can almost hear Joab's 'command voice' saying, "Suck it up, Davey-boy!"  Though Joab's monologue with David doesn't hint at any regret or sorrow for his own part in the demise of David's son Abaslom - I have to think Joab was not such a hard-nosed warrior that the loss of David's son through this whole affair, even though Absalom turned out to be an evil enemy, was bound to seem to be a kick in the teeth.  Yet, Joab is right in his assertion that David needs to review and evaluate his expression of grief over Absalom's loss.  I am almost surprised Joab didn't Remind David that "YAHWEH is STILL in control - He's Well Aware of your Loss....Turn your Grief Over to Him."....Lastly, though, I am especially Encouraged to See King David's Action (going to the Gate to Encourage the Crew) align with David having Heard and Received Joab's 'three-point presentation' in a positive way, taking appropriate actions to reconcile with his crew.

Thus my Prayer for us today....O Lord Jesus, Help us to Learn from David and Joab, Your Three Points of Pondering today.  Holy Spirit, Encourage us to Ever Remember that With Your Help we Can Choose our Attitude towards a circumstance in our Lives.  Father God, Keep us In Balance.  Guide us, Lord, to Know You Are Always In Control and You Will Be with us Through All we go through.  Lord Jesus, Open our Inner Ears and Eyes that we May Be Ever Aware of Your WORD and Your Guidance on our Direction.  We Lift Up and Prayer these Prayers in Your Holy Name....Amen/Amen....jaj