In 2 Samuel 14, we learn more about Absalom, King David’s son, and his longing to see his father, but was denied each time he asked. Remember that in chapter 13 he had to flee for his life after his brother Amnon was killed. Where his death came because of him raping his sister Tamar. Yes, Absalom was angry and took it out on David, while having Amnon killed by the king’s men. I am not saying what he did was right. He should not have taken what happened to his sister personally but consulted with God and his dad, the king about it. Sure, taking the virginity from his sister is evil, but it would have been better to have God and the laws of the land take action instead. Now, what Amnon did was very sick, since it involved incest, which God says is evil in His sight. So this now leads us into this chapter, where David sought for Absalom’s return, after speaking with Joab. However, he did not want to see him. Joab had a woman speak with David, but He saw through everything she said and called for his son’s return to the land of Jerusalem. It is recorded that 1“the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant. So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.” (2 Samuel 14:21-23) However, as mentioned, David had hard feelings towards his son. As it was written, 1“and the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face.” (2 Samuel 14:24) Now why David didn’t want to see his son is very strange, but this happens in our day a lot too, when certain things happen in our families that people have a hard time getting over.
The time that Absalom was in Jerusalem, he and his wife were blessed to have children. It is recorded that 1“unto Absalom, there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.” (2 Samuel 14:27) However, even after having kids come into the picture, David was still not seeing, nor speaking to his son. 1“So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face. Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.” (2 Samuel 14:28,29) So something was causing David to ignore his son. What it was, we may never know, but David alone. However, Absalom was very persistent in seeing his father, the king, no matter what. He even sent his servants to set fire to Joab’s field, which they did to get his attention. This is then what happened, 1“then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire? And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me. So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.” (2 Samuel 14:31-33) So David and his son finally saw each other after a few years away, and it was a very good meeting. Now, what can we learn from this? That because of unforgiveness we may also end up in the same situation. That is why it is better to forgive people when they offend us, as God will do for us when we confess our sins to Him. Don’t let your anger or pride cause you to deny a person in your family to be forgiven.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, help us learn to love those that have hurt us. The weight that people carry because of the heartache they have caused upon people is already too much, for people to then hold grudges against them. If people could learn that as much as we want to be forgiven from You, we should forgive others also, then would this world be a better place. There would be more love in this world and less hate. There would be more joy and not depression. Families would come together and no longer be at war with one another. I know this is all possible, God. However, we cannot do this on our own. We need Your love to engulf our lives, that we may be transformed. So hear our cries now as we confess our sins openly to You. I am praying, but others that are in a family quarrel are also praying right now for help. Here us as we ask You to cast out all the anger in our hearts. Take away our pride and replace it with Your love. Help us to be more selfless in helping others, instead of selfish in what we can gain from people. And fix our eyes upon You, that we may know Your will in our lives, and no longer be fixed on what our flesh wants. I don’t wish to have anyone not find forgiveness from me, especially since I need Your forgiveness each day of my life. So if anyone has caused a rift in my relationship with them, help me be friendly around them still. May the words forgiveness come out of my mouth and in my actions towards them. People need to know that I am also sorry for being hurtful, and I also wish that people will forgive me. So I pray for other people that have also put up walls in their lives because of me, for You to take tear them down, oh Lord. Help every bad situation be mended by Your great love. I love You, Lord. I trust in You. Amen.
