2 Samuel 14-15 -- Sometimes Distance Is Better

Joab thought he was doing David a favor by enabling Absalom, David's banished son, to return to Jerusalem.  He engineered a situation where a woman told David a story that would help David reconcile with Absalom.

David allowed his return, but basically kept him under house arrest for two years.  Even Joab distanced himself from Absalom -- until Absalom got his attention by burning Joab's ready-to-harvest barley field.

David finally reconciled with his son, but before long, Absalom looked like a Washington politician, electioneering and grandstanding, and the people loved their handsome crown prince.  The only problem was that God hadn't been consulted.

Absalom began a revolt that led to the darkest hour in David's life.  He had to flee Jerusalem with his family.  "It's quite something else when you're watching people tear your world apart.  God was chastening David, but David knew that God's power could help him in the hour of pain as well as in the hour of conquest," my commentary said.  "David recognized that God's loving hand of discipline was upon him, and he admitted that he deserved every blow.  But he also believed that God's gracious hand of power was still at work in his life, that the Lord hadn't forsaken him as He forsook Saul.  The Lord was still working out his perfect will...."

David left Jerusalem when Absalom's rebellion began.  He didn't want innocent people to die.  He was able to plant spies in Absalom's court to keep him informed.  "You can't help but see David's trust in God and his conviction that no matter how disordered and disturbed everything was, the Lord was still on His throne.  No matter how David felt, he knew that the Lord would always keep His covenant and fulfill His promises."

Father, that's how things have felt here for quite awhile, but I trust You.  Reign in my life.  Keep Your promises.  Be God to me and to my family.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford