4 The king answered, "I will do whatever seems best toyou." So the king stood beside the gate while all his menmarched out in units of hundreds and of thousands.
5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, "Begentle with the young man Absalom for my sake." Andall the troops heard the king giving orders concerningAbsalom to each of the commanders. - P82
14 Joab said, "I‘m not going to wait like this for you."
So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged theminto Absalom‘s heart while Absalom was still alive in theoak tree. 15 And ten of Joab‘s armor-bearers surroundedAbsalom, struck him and killed him. - P83
David and Absalom‘s men engage in battle in the forest of Ephraim. David‘smen do not want him to go into battle, so he complies and asks that they notkill Absalom. - P83
There are many casualties that day. Absalom‘s hair gets caughtin a tree and he is left hanging in midair. When Joab is told about this, he andhis men kill Absalom. - P83
In David‘s plea to his officials to be gentle with his son Absalom, wesee a glimpse of God‘s heart toward sinners. - P84
Anyone would agree thatAbsalom deserves severe punishment for his crimes-he murdered hisbrother and committed treason against his father. - P84
But despite every-thing he has done, he is still David‘s son and David longs to be recon-ciled with him. - P84
Sadly, Joab robs David and Absalom of their chanceat reconciliation when he takes justice into his own hands and killsAbsalom with his javelins. - P84
When we think of individuals who havewronged us or read news about people who have committed despicablecrimes, it is easy to think of such people as unforgivable and beyondredemption. - P84
But every human being is a soul whom God longs to bereconciled with regardless of their sin. - P84
Let us view others through the eyes of God and show grace to the undeserving. - P84
|