King James Version
The Book of 2 Samuel
Chapter 19
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Commentary
2 Samuel 19
There are a lot of political views, even in David's day. Judah and Israel are at odds because of a difference in opinion. It's close to election time, and it just seems appropriate that we come to this chapter at this time. Every leader is faced with some difficult decisions sometimes. David is a man. He is a father, he is the son of Jesse, and he has brothers. Sounds human, right? Well, that's because he is human. Many of the People thought it was not right for David to mourn the loss of his son Absalom. How easily we forget to consider the feelings of others while we are so "self-righteous". Aren't these the same People whose forefathers murmured in the face of God about every little thing, and all the while, they witnessed and experienced nearly every supernatural experience known to man? This is the same People, only a few generations later.
The truth is, the People were not corrupted by the heathen tribes around them, not entirely. They came out of Egypt that way. Moses was raised by Egyptian royalty, in fact. After all that had happened so far, the People still don't see the way of the Lord. David and his brothers were raised in the same family. They learned the same things. An individual must decide for himself what way he/she will choose, and how in-depth their walk will be. At some point, David had chosen to walk closely with the Lord. To be faithful and obedient. But that's not it, entirely. In face, that is more the result, rather than the goal. David loved God with his entire heart, as well as humanly possible. He was truly repentant when he done wrong. This resulted in a very close walk with God.
Absalom was David's son. They played together. I'm sure they even sang together, as David strummed a note or two on the harp. In David's eyes, Absalom was not an enemy, trying to take over the nation. To David, Absalom was his son, being rebellious... perhaps throwing a tantrum. When Absalom was killed, it was not David's enemy that died, it was his son. Our relationship with God is this way. He grieves for our losses because we are sad. He rejoices in our triumphs because we are happy. He is angry when we rebel. He is our father and our friend. We are his beloved children.
God is almighty. Because of this, we often forget that He is closer to us than a brother. We don't have to be separated from God just because He is so great and we are so small. As a child clings to his mothers shirt-tail, so also should we be to our heavenly father. He is just and merciful, but His mercy endures forever BECAUSE HE LOVES US, His children!
David was close to God. It should not be a surprise when his actions seem peculiar, and in some ways, similar to God's. We are to imitate God. We are to be "Christ-like". Of course he will mourn the loss of his son. I will say this one thing more... again, don't lean to your own understanding. Acknowledge that God is in it. See His will being carried out. We are not abandoned in times like these. He is in control. He has a plan. Trust Him as a faithful father and friend. It's ALL good!
Friday, October 29, 2010 - 8:00 AM
