Day 13 – 2 Samuel 13:32-34

³² But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s expressed intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar. ³³ My lord the king should not be concerned about the report that all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead.” ^[1]

There is probably no greater story told about the betrayal of a son than that of Absalom. In the 15th chapter of 2 Samuel we read the account of how Absalom stole the hearts of the people and sent his father David running for his life as he attempted a coup d’état. In the 18th chapter we read of the death of Absalom and picture him hanging from an Oak tree by the locks of his hair just before Joab drove three javelins through his heart and killed him. It is a tragic as well as gruesome story, but how did it happen?

David was a great king who brought glory and splendor to the nation, but he was not always the best of fathers. It is worth reading the entirety of the 13th chapter to understand what perhaps drove Absalom. David had many wives who had many children. One of them, Amnon, lusted after his half sister Tamar, and after luring her, through false pretenses to his rooms, raped her and then refused to take her as his wife. Tamar retreated from Amnon’s rooms weeping and mourning loudly because of her disgrace. Absalom, her full brother, sees her, comforts her and takes her into his house where she lives as a desolate woman. From that point Absalom plots to kill his half brother Amnon.

When David heard of the rape he was furious but did nothing, which undoubtedly served only to fuel Absalom’s rage now directed not only to Amnon but to David as well. David was a powerful warrior, an expert statesman, a skilled diplomat, but an ineffective father. This story tells us not only the folly of the failure to discipline one’s home and children, but also the lasting impact it has on the children themselves. Absalom grew up hating his brother and his father because of his lack of action. He murdered his brother in retaliation, was exiled for three years where he had the chance to plan his coup d’état, and returned to beguile a nation. It did not have to happen and perhaps would not have happened had David been a better father. What have my actions or my lack of actions done to my children?

Lord Jesus, I pray for all parents, but especially for those who hesitate to exercise discipline over their homes and children. Forgive us all when we have allowed situations to go unaddressed that caused bitterness, anger and strife to well up in our families. Give to us the boldness to stand for righteousness and truth in our homes. Remove any and all fear we may have of losing our children’s love and respect because of the discipline, but also cause us to be discerning so that the discipline is always for their good. I submit all of children before You today and ask that You heal bitterness and betrayal from their hearts and turning them back to You and to us, in Jesus’ name. Amen.