Moab's Refugees Seek Shelter beneath a Just Throne

A lamb tribute and scattered birds introduce a plea for cover

Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion. For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon. Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.

Moab's fugitives appear as nestlings at the river crossings. The request to Zion is practical: give shade at noon, hide outcasts, do not betray wanderers. The unit does not turn Moab into a modern enemy, and it does not cancel the plea by recalling old rivalries.

The hoped-for throne is Davidic, merciful, and occupied by justice

Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land. And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

A just Davidic throne is the shelter the refugees need. Mercy, truth, and speed toward righteousness are the politics of hiding outcasts. That throne is not a modern land deed and not permission to dominate Moab's name in later mouths.