Throwback May 2018
2 Samuel 18:32-33 “The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom [my son] safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all those who rise against you to do evil, be [dead] like that young man is.” The king was deeply moved and went to the upper room over the gate and wept [in sorrow]. And this is what he said as he walked: “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! How I wish that I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
I used to ponder why King David would weep over the death of Absalom so much to the point that it was affecting his ability to lead properly. Actually, the whole story is very sad!
Absalom is dead. His other son, Amnon, is dead and was killed by Absalom. Tamar, his daughter, was rapped by Amnon and living a disgraced life. In fact, many people are dead, especially soldiers and followers who were either part of Absalom’s rebellion or King David’s soldiers. In 2 Samuel chapter 18, the Bible mentions that 20,000 of Absalom’s followers were slaughtered. There was war, death, cost of time, energy, and money from this rebellion.
Why was this so sad? The root stems back to when King David stayed back in Jerusalem when, at that time, it was the season when kings went to war. Rather than doing his job, he stayed back and noticed Bathsheba. He took another man’s wife and had the husband killed.
As a result, the prophet came and rebuked King David and told him there would be consequences and God would stir up trouble for his kingdom and family. The bad seeds were sown, and a very bad harvest was coming. King David’s action cost the lives of many, including his children and his people.
As I reflect on this story, it is not only sad but frightening! However, I believe King David wept so much because he realized this was ultimately his fault—it was his bad harvest. At that time, King David also failed to discipline Amnon. Our children will have their own choices and will when they grow up, but we cannot contribute to their detriment. If we fail to obey quickly or submit to our calling, there will be consequences.
Additional Comment May 18, 2024
If we did not know the background story of King David, we would think Absalom was a very disobedient, troublemaker son who was greedy to take over his father’s kingdom. But we know now that, in hindsight, King David did little to discipline his boys properly. As a result, Amnon rapped his half-sister, and Absalom would boil inside for the rape of his sister. Then King David stole Bathsheba and killed her husband. For the father’s lack of proper discipline, King David’s authority and kingdom were threatened.
If we look at this from a family perspective, we can have what looks like rebellion in the children or child, but it would be reaping from the father’s past of sin. If we do not know any background, we would just go after Absalom. But King David, knowing his sin, did not go after his son but stepped down, hoping his yielding to the throne would allow God to correct his mess. King David also did not want his son killed because it was his fault. But yet, Absalom had his own responsibility and sin.
As parents, we have a duty to God just like King David had a duty to go to war when it was his season but he stayed back. He had a duty to discipline Amnon but failed to do so. We will reap what we sow. There will be consequences to our actions or inaction.
When I think about this story, I hope and pray I do not sow any bad decisions which my children may pay. When bad things happen, we must always examine our own actions rather than always blaming the devil. There are times when we are tested for the sake of testing, and there are times your test is a result of your own sin.
Pastor Steve Kim