“King David’s Lament”

 “And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.”(2 Samuel 19:1)

In 2 Samuel 18 we hear of the culmination of rebellion between King David and his son Absalom. That is what we see on the surface. It goes much deeper than that.

Samuel spent his time in speaking to God for guidance, and Samuel listened to what God said. The people saw things differently. They wanted what others had. In this case they thought a King would make their lives easier.

In 1 Samuel 8, we hear the people wanting a King, just like all the other cool nations had. The people are shifting responsibility from themselves to the King, and anyone connected to the King. They are also moving themselves further from God. For the people it is not they did something against God’s clear commands, but it was the King. You can’t hide from God’s judgement. Fig leaves don’t hide our sinful nature.

David’s problem was not Absalom. David’s problem was David.

In 2 Samuel 11:2 ““And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.”

This is not just David’s sinful nature, but it is Bathsheba’s sinful nature. There is a consequence for every sin.

“Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.” (2 Samuel 12:11)

Absalom was Absalom’s problem. Absalom was brought up in the House of King David. Surrounded by all the glitter and gold of a King. He didn’t suffer from lack of food and protection, but he wanted more.

Absalom used Amnon’s rape of his sister Tamara as an excuse to move up the line of David. Absalom had even had his servants kill Amnon. The typical I didn’t do it, someone else did. Absalom is guilty before the eyes of the LORD.

“But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 19:4)

God uses the Old Testament to teach us about God. God uses the New Testament to show us how Jesus, the Son of God, provides salvation and eternal life.

Stay Tuned…