29 The king asked, "Is the young man Absalom safe?"
Ahimaaz answered, "I saw great confusion just as Joabwas about to send the king‘s servant and me, your ser-vant, but I don‘t know what it was.‘ - P91
31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, "My lord theking, hear the good news! The LORD has vindicated youtoday by delivering you from the hand of all who roseup against you."
32 The king asked the Cushite, "Is the young man Ab-salom safe?" The Cushite replied, "May the enemies ofmy lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be likethatyoung man."
33domanded "Is he all right?" And the Ethi - P91
33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room overthe gateway and wept. As he went, he said: "O my sonAbsalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had diedinstead of you-0 Absalom, my son, my son" - P91
David‘s watchman announces that there is a runner coming. Soon after, henotices another one. The king thinks this means good news. Ahimaaz arrivesfirst and tells him God has given him victory. When David asks about Absalom,
he says he does not know. - P91
The Cushite messenger arrives and lets David knowAbsalom is dead. David is shaken and weeps loudly. - P91
In his eagerness to deliver his message to David, Ahimaaz outruns theCushite and reaches David first. - P92
While he is happy to reportthe victoryof David‘s army, he shies away from telling the king about Absalom‘sdeath and pretends he does not know what happened. - P92
Perhaps he wasafraid of David‘s reaction, or he simply could not bear to give such badnews to his beloved king. - P92
There will be many times in life when wewill be faced with a similar temptation to conceal the truth in order toprotect ourselves or another person‘s feelings. - P92
But deceit has no place inthe heart of a Christian. - P92
Let us follow Jesus‘ example and always speakthe truth with courage, no matter the cost. - P92
Even though his entire kingdom is at stake, David‘s only concern isAbsalom‘s well-being. - P92
His first question to Ahimaaz inquired after Absa-lom‘s safety, and he repeats his question to the Cushite. - P92
The Cushite de-livers the news and confirms David‘s worst fears. Though his army haswon a great victory, David is overwhelmed with sorrow. - P92
Absalom mayhave been a formidable enemy, but he was first David‘s son. David‘sgrief in this passage helps us to understand the heart of God towardHis enemies. - P92
He does not delight in their downfall and longs for themto return to Him to receive forgiveness and restoration. - P92
Let us love ourenemies in the same way and pray for them with sincere hope. - P92
Lord, You are the God of truth and love. Give me courage to speak the trutheven when it hurts. - P93
Give me grace to pray for my enemies because You lovethem. Mold me to be more like Jesus every day. In His name, amen. - P93
4 The king covered his face and cried aloud, "O my sonAbsalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!" - P94
7Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by theLORD that if you don‘t go out, not a man will be leftwith you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than allthe calamities that have come on you from your youthtill now." - P95
When Joab finds out that David continues to weep and that the troops arecoming back silently as though ashamed, he counsels the king to acknowledge his troops
and encourage them. - P95
The king listens to Joab‘s advice and sitsat the gateway of Jerusalem, and his men come before him. - P95
What should have been a day of victorious celebration for David andhis troops has become a day of sorrow because David is mourning thedeath of his son. - P96
Absalom, though he was David‘s son, was also a traitorwho had risen against his father and forced him into exile. - P96
Yet instead ofencouraging and thanking his army for the victory they have achieved,
David sinks into despair, allowing his personal loss to take precedence.
- P96
His grief, while understandable, threatens to blind him to his kingly duties to
his people and to the God who rescued him. - P96
When grief comes,
we should not sweepthe pain under the rug. But let us take care lest italienates us from others and from God. - P96
Joab confronts the king for being oblivious to the efforts and devotionof his army. He challenges him to act as a king or else risk being desert-ed by those who have shown him unwavering loyalty. - P96
David listens toJoab and goes to the gate as a sign that he is once again in charge of theaffairs of the kingdom. It is a real gift to have friends who will confrontus with the truth in love. - P96
Personal confrontation must be done with
care since it entails being considerate of the other person while at thesame time pointing out areas where repentance is needed. - P96
But reproof issometimes necessary, especially when we see fellow brothers and sistersact in waysthatare not Christlike. - P96
Because David forgets all that his supporters have sacrificed, he is rightlyrebuked for being selfish and immature. - P97
Today, let us fast from venting ouremotions and instead take time to consider other points of view. - P97
Most of all,
let us echo Jesus who prayed, "Not my will but Yours be done." - P97
Dear Lord, thank you for the godly people You have brought into my life. - P97
I am gratefulfor the wise counsel I have received from them. - P97
Please help me to be a source ofencouragement to those who may need it today. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P97
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