Making wounds (1–8). Joab had to hurt David to help him: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6). David’s sorrow over his dead son almost cost him the kingdom. It is right to mourn, but not to the point that we lose touch with reality.
Healing wounds (9–15). It was time for the whole nation to affirm loyalty to God’s chosen king, and David declared an amnesty except in certain cases. The tribes brought him back; he forgave Shimei and Mephibosheth; he rewarded Barzillai.
Opening wounds (40–43). Intertribal jealousy appeared again (Judg. 8:1; 12:1), and David faced a new rebellion (Prov. 13:10). Instead of using the soft answer (Prov. 15:1), the men of Judah held to their rights and made the situation worse. Romans 12:10 and Philippians 2:1–4 give the counsel we need.
