While David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and dirt on his head. – 1 Samuel 15:32

The story of Absalom, David’s youngest son and his claim to the throne of Israel, continues. At this point, King David has fled Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives as a response to his own son’s ambitions. As an act of obedience to the will of God to keep the Ark with the people of Israel, he has just sent the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. David his crew are now climbing Mount olives to worship God.

David is probably the most powerful man in the world during this time and could have taken Absalom out at any moment. Instead, he chose to allow him to claim the throne. Why? The easy answer would be David feared for his life. But I think it is deeper than that. The fact that he sent the Ark back to the city means David is more concerned about the people and the church than he is about his own well being. The fact that he fled the throne as Absalom came to claim it shows he is still accepting God’s punishment for his sins.

This level of worship, similar to that of Job, is based out of complete and utter obedience even to the point of being stripped of every blessing God has given. It is easy to write and say God deserves worship during good times and bad times, but how will I respond if God takes it all away. Not just take it away, but ask me to give it up and walk away from my job, my possessions, my family, until I have nothing left.

The simple fact is all we have is because of Him. If God can give it, then He can take it away. The question then is, if we don’t worship God when he chooses to take us to the bottom, then are we really worshipping him when he raises us to the top? David knew God was still on his side as did Job even though I’m sure there were times it didn’t feel like it. Their obedience even in the worst of times should be an example to all of us as worshippers of God.