2 Samuel 14

Bible Passage:  2 Samuel 14

Yesterday, we read that Absalom fled and went to Geshur and was there three years.  This was due to his part in the murder of Amnon and although David grieved deeply and longed to be reunited with Absalom, nothing happened.

What follows in today’s passage is really like a soap opera.

Joab perceived that the king’s heart was concerned about Absalom: David was obviously troubled by his estranged relationship with Absalom – and he decided to do something to bring David and Absalom together.

He got a woman of Tekoa to tell a fabricated story of one son dead and another threatened with death.  The whole aim was to direct David to make a judgement and in so doing, realized his folly and seek a reconciliation with Absalom.

Does this sound familiar?  Prophet Nathan had used this same tactic to allow David to realize his own deep sin.  Now Joab was using something similar to illicit a response of forgiveness and acceptance from the king.

Read through this story carefully and think…

• Why was it that Joab wanted David to be reconciled with Absalom?
• Was David right in forgiving Absalom despite his violent murder?
• Was there true repentance and reconciliation on the part of both David and Absalom?

Actually, I read through this passage at least 3 times before writing this and each time… I had slightly different thoughts.  Maybe you can share them with me or ask your questions here…

But today… I would just like to concentrate on this verse which I found most interesting….

For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.

2 Samuel 14:14

This image of water that has been spilled on the ground cannot be gathered up again is a beautiful picture of opportunity lost.

If you spill a glass of water on the ground, you certainly can’t put it back into the glass.

The point is that there is finality about death that cannot be recovered from on this earth.  Within strained family relationships the death of one of the parties ends all opportunities of reconciliation.

The woman of Tekoa was reminding David about the finality of the potential death of Absalom without both father and son reconciling.  If the bitterness and lack of communication continued between them, one of them will die first and thereafter… all hopes of problem rectification will be lost.

Two very big lessons for me here.

Do This Quickly!

First is that we need to be careful in our families (at home or our family in church) that when there is some kind of conflict over some issue, we need to get it settled quickly.  Now I know from personal experience that it is very difficult.

Some of the relationship issues that exists have been due to deep grievances and hurt that has been inflicted upon you by the other party (pretty much like what Absalom did to David).  Some of have been due to misunderstandings.  Some of just been due to the fact that we have differing points of view.

You have your own reasons why relationships can be estranged.  And you find it very difficult to even contemplate the thought of being reconciled.

But there is a big need for us to try and make things right with that person.  Whenever I read Matthew 18, I get very worried.

This is because I am not sure when I view the various issues I have in church around me, that I am not proud and think too highly of myself and look down on others (Matt 18:4-5).

This is because I am not sure if what I have done, am doing or behaving is causing a fellow brethren to sin and fall (Matt 18:6-7).

This is because when I look at myself, I know that I definitely fall short of the example and love of Jesus in seeking out the wayward and lost sheep…. some who have dropped off because I have not done my part (Matt 18:10-14).

This is because in many cases, when a brother has hurt me or sinned against me (at least that’s what I think), I have not applied the principles that Jesus has laid down in Matt 18:15-17.  And yet, I always quote Matt 18:20 to say that God is always in our midst.

This is more so in many cases where I feel and know that I deeply need the forgiveness of Jesus for my many many shortcomings and expect Him to forgive me… and yet… find it so so so very difficult to even show a glimpse of forgiveness to those who have hurt me.  And so, it is terrifying for me to hear Jesus saying “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matt 18:35)

Joab’s purpose of getting David to reconcile with Absalom may be politically driven or it may be because of his deep loyalty to David and did not want to see him in pain and sorrow.

But whatever his reasons are, we should reflect on ourselves to see… if there is any conflict or issue that needs to be resolved… let us do so…. and do it quickly.

I know it is much easier said than done… and I am still working on it.  So please pray for me.

God’s Mercy and Justice

When I read this phrase in 2 Sam 14:14, tears cannot help but well up in my eyes…

“… but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.”

God devises means so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.  Read that again slowly.

This is our God.  This is my God.

Despite my many sins and constant falling short of His glory, He still has His mercy and He will seek a way to bring me back to Him again.  And I wonder … whatever did I do to deserve this?

But there is a warning for me as well in today’s passage.  It is true that God finds a way to bring us back – but not at the expense of justice.  God reconciles us by satisfying justice, not by ignoring justice.

Indeed, when we are under the chastening of God, we may feel like banished ones. Yet we, even as His banished ones, we belong to Him and can trust that He will devise means to bring us back to Him.  The way is through Jesus and His work.  He has stood in the place of guilty sinners as He hung on the cross and received the punishment that we deserved.

And this is just a much needed reminded as we come to the end of a work week and prepare to enter the Sabbath.

God’s Justice … mingled with Mercy.

Such love barely deserved.

“Forgive Me… I’m so SORRY 🙁 “