Day 135 – 2 Samuel 13-15

Talking Points

• God’s promise of judgment on David, because of his sin, is being fulfilled. We often think that forgiveness means the removal of consequence. This account shows it not to be so. We should be sure, sin always brings suffering. Many times, it is in ways we never considered.
• The Bible says that you reap what you sow. David’s sin now brings a crop of deceit, wickedness, and perversion. Division and disunity mark David’s family and, eventually, the entire nation. Sadness and chaos replace the peace and joy of previous years.
• Absalom sets himself up in direct opposition to David. He positions himself to steal the kingship by promoting himself and defaming David.

Thoughts

How strange that the name Absalom means “my father is peace.” This relationship between a son and his dad ends up being anything but peaceful. In the name Absalom, there is an echo of what could have been, what should have been. Part of the profound consequence of sin is the regret over what is lost and what didn’t have to be. Forgiveness may be found, but there are always echoes of, “It didn’t have to be this way.” It is terribly sad — at times, almost unbearably so.

And, then, we remember that, in God’s salvation, there is not only the forgiveness of sin, but the restoration of sinners. What is ruined in sin, one day will all be made new. What could have been, then, will be! How wonderful it will be to stand, no longer with regret, but marveling at His work of renewal!

Praise the Lord who makes all things new (Revelation 21:5)!