2 Samuel 14 -- Be Careful What You Wish For

David missed his son Absalom, even though Absalom had killed his brother Amnon and fled the country – even though Absalom had raped his half-sister.  Yet David also was aware that his subjects might question his own integrity if he pardoned his own son for the murder.

 

Joab cooked up a scheme to have an actress tell David a story which would bait him into approving forgiveness in a similar but fictitious situation, calling his hand on fairness and requiring that he allow Absalom to return home, and it worked.  But David effectively kept Absalom under house arrest.  Absalom’s handsomeness and princely status began to develop quite a following for him despite his guilt – as if the murder he committed really didn’t matter.  Even today people seem willing to excuse much that their idol’s do.

 

Absalom wanted Joab to intercede, but Joab was wisely not going there, afraid that David might see it as collaboration with a traitor.  Absalom then showed his true colors by having his servants burn Joab’s ripe barley field to get his attention.  Joab finally arranged a reconciliation and David was reunited with Absalom after five years of separation.

 

Out from under house arrest, Absalom would now begin his “electioneering” to get the people’s approval to take the throne from his father.  My commentary said, “David was about to lose his throne and crown, his concubines, his trusted adviser Ahithophel, and ultimately his son Absalom.  It would be the darkest hour of David’s life.”

 

Father, You’ve shown me over the years that I need to be careful what I wish for, because I just might get it.  If it’s not in Your will, it’s not worth having.  Please help my desires to only be Your desires. Let me be fully certain that the things I want are totally in Your will.  Help me to make tough choices in order to be where You want me to be when You want me to be there.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford