2 Samuel Chapter 19 – Blood is thicker than water?

The question mark in the title is an invitation to give more thought to an age-old saying. What does it really mean? And should it be so?

Expressing acceptance of bias behaviour with the saying is certainly not in line with biblical teaching. But if we mean to say we should care for our kin more than others, certainly blood is thicker than water, biblically-speaking (1 Tim 5:8; Pr 17:12).

David’s readiness to spare his son Absalom was not quite appropriate, but mourning for Absalom was totally understandable. Still he took the advice of the politically astute Joab to curb his mourning and attend to the sentiments of his people by declaring victory over Absalom.

After that, David appealed on the basis of kinship, with the elders of Judah, not to fall behind the other tribes in receiving him back as king – despite their role in Absalom’s insurrection. Pardon was granted to a nearer kinsmen Amasa, commander of Absalom’s army, even coupled the promise of having him replace Joab as commander of his army.

Nevertheless, as in the clemency extended to Shimei the Benjamite who had earlier cursed him in his face, David’s benevolence to his kinsmen was out of political expedience while his reign was yet to be stabilised. His kindness to non-tribesmen, the likes of Mephibosheth and Barzillai, was genuinely out gratitude and friendship forged in adversity. 

The beauty of the reciprocal relationship David had with that Mephibosheth and Barzillai displayed is touching – a stark contrast to the quarrel between the people of Judah in David’s escort party and all the men of Israel, one side claiming kinship while the other claiming a larger share in the king. 

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