Saturday, December 2, 2017

Year 7, Day 336: 2 Samuel 19


Theological Commentary: Click Here



As we continue our study of David, we see another blunder when it comes to David’s personal life.  David chooses to mourn the loss of his son rather than rally around the troops.  Of course, don’t get me wrong.  What parent is going to feel joy when it comes to the death of a child?  I am not saying that David should be elated that Absalom has died.  He’s not going to feel excitement that his son has died.



At the same time, how many thousands of men went out to fight for David’s life and his right to rule?  How many thousands of men went out to protect David and to protect God’s plan?  These men have just won a great victory, a victory for the kingdom!



David should have been able to go out and encourage the men.  He should have been able to go out and thank his men for his service.  He should have been able to go out and make plans for reclaiming the throne.  But instead David mourns.  David shames his warriors by caring more about the loss of his son than the people who actually fought for him.



In the end, Joab his general has the right words.  If David doesn’t go out and be with his men and thank them for their service after risking their life for him, they will desert and leave him.  Joab isn’t saying that David can’t be sad about Absalom internally.  But David must go out and make sure that his men are properly encouraged, appreciated, and shown that their choice to stick with David was a good one.  After all, as it stands David is sending the message that he’d rather have his son alive than be with the people who literally put their lives on the line for him.  David needs to make the right decision and put his personal life aside to do the right thing.



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