Gospel Reflections #1123: When We Rely on God

2 Samuel 16:14 ‘The king and all the soldiers with him arrived exhausted and stopped to rest there (by the banks of the Jordan).’

This is a crucial scene of respite, marking the temporary conclusion of the first act in King David’s flight after being driven from the capital by his son’s rebellion.

King David had been subjected to a coup d’état by his own son, Absalom, and had narrowly escaped with his life from the city of Jerusalem.

During his flight, David was beset by a succession of spiritual trials and physical suffering.

He learnt of the betrayal by Ahithophel, the strategist he had trusted; he was subjected to a torrent of fierce curses from a man named Shimei—a relative of the former King Saul—who, from the neighbouring mountainside, repeatedly shouted, ‘Get out of here, you murderer!’, whilst pelting him with stones and dust; and though his aide Abishai raged, ‘Let me cut off the head of that dead dog!’, David replied, ‘Perhaps the Lord has told him to curse me.

Perhaps the Lord has seen my affliction and will reward me with good instead of this curse,’ and he endured all the humiliation.

Having descended the steep mountain path from Jerusalem and continued walking whilst enduring Shim’i’s relentless guerrilla-style harassment, David’s party had literally reached their limit—both physically and mentally—and were utterly exhausted.

And so, they arrived at the River Jordan.

In the Bible, the River Jordan often symbolises a ‘boundary’ or a ‘transitional phase’.

It signifies a safe place, for the time being, beyond the immediate reach of the enemy, or a crossroads leading to the next course of action—whether a counter-attack or further flight.

In the original Hebrew text, the phrase ‘took a breath’ is the same term used in Genesis when God ‘took a breath’ (rested) on the Sabbath.

This single sentence encapsulates God’s mercy and protection: no matter how miserable or agonising the trial, God does not forsake David, but always provides ‘a moment of quiet rest to restore body and soul’ in preparation for the next battle or journey.

This passage can be read as a message of comfort: ‘Even in the midst of life’s storms, God will always provide a place of respite (rest) so that we do not become utterly exhausted and collapse.’

Our God is the God of David.

No matter who we are, as long as we rely on God, He will grant us a perfect balance between activity and rest.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.