2 Samuel 15:30
“And David was going up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, and his head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. Then all the people who were with him each covered his own head, and they were going up, weeping as they went.”
David was a good king who cared for the people. They loved him for it. He is fleeing for safety. They didn't have to follow him, but they were loyal. Like was said in Ruth 1:16, 'But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God."'
I recall a speaker talk about reaping what we sow. He told the tale of two leaders, one judgmental and the other merciful. When the former leader stumbled, he was treated harshly and asked to leave. When the latter one stumbled, his people rallied around him in support. The merciful reaped mercy. David's people are with him. This was the perfect opportunity for the bitter to turn on David. They could have joined Absalom. They loved David, even at his lowest.
David led them in the ways of the Lord. There were no high places. He served God well and didn't allow pagan practices. His faith was quite public. I can recall when the ark was returning to Jerusalem. He was up front singing praise and dancing unto the Lord. His wife criticized him for not acting like a king. David knew what was important. He was showing fierce loyalty to God. He was living out a beatitude, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth". David was worried about being dignified. He was being a fool for Christ.
Looking at David leaving the city, he is living several beatitudes, mourning, meek, persecuted for righteousness and merciful. He was a godly leader and remaining godly in this tragedy. So much so that many are joining him at this low point.
God is with David at the time. This is the valley of the shadow of death. David had many of these. David says in Psalm 23 that God is with him in the valley. Any thing is tolerable as long as God is with us. This is true for many reasons. God won't allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle and His presence brings strength and hope.
Lord, help us to behave admirably at the low points. Thank You that Your are always with us at these times. You also bring others to stand beside us at the low times. Thank You.