Day 149

2 Samuel 14:1–15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9

FAMILY MATTERS NEVER settled down for King David after the affair with Bathsheba, and this becomes more apparent as we move further into his story. David’s son Absalom had been in exile for three years for killing his brother Amnon. David had allowed the rape of his daughter Tamar to go unpunished, but Absalom had not. The result was loss. Absalom lost respect for his father and was sent away from his home, Tamar forcibly lost her innocence, and Amnon violently lost his life.

David’s general Joab hatched a plan that eventually brought Absalom back to his home in Jerusalem. But for the next two years, he was not permitted an audience with the king. Five years had passed since father and son had seen each other, and once they did, Absalom’s contempt for his father deepened.

First, Absalom used his good looks and princely status to undermine his father, David. He did this by spending time among the people and making them feel heard. Over the course of four years, he won their hearts.

Next, he asked permission to leave Jerusalem and travel to Hebron to offer a sacrifice to God. Hebron had been David’s first capital city and seat of power, and David had no idea what Absalom was really planning.

Once in Hebron, Absalom stirred up a direct rebellion against the king. It quickly gained momentum, and the news reached Jerusalem. All the old instincts from his ordeal with Saul rose within David, and he fled the palace in Jerusalem with much of his government, going into exile as the attempted coup marched forward.

We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see how this story continues, but it’s important to consider how King David allowed this erosion to take place in his life and family.

The choices we make have impact and reverberate in unpredictable ways in our lives, as they did with the king. When we allow offenses to fester, they become poison within our relationships, and this poison can destroy the bonds that tie us together when left unchecked. This is what we are seeing happen to the king and his kingdom. But it is the same for each of us. We will make mistakes. Indeed, we all fall short in big and small ways, and the aftermath can be devastating. But in that broken time, we still make decisions: We either draw battle lines, compounding the problem, or we own our actions and humbly repent. Full restoration isn’t always possible in this broken world. But humility, repentance, and the hope of grace are miraculous forces within a relationship and cover a multitude of sins. Consider David’s path as you reflect on your own today. Situational awareness and rapid repentance can stave off massive amounts of unnecessary conflict.

PRAYER:

How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.