March 28, 2025 - 2 Samuel 14-18

A tough and heartbreaking relationship between David and his son Absalom who wished to take the kingship from his father:  “Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say . . .  ‘See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you.  . . . Oh that I were judge in the land!’” (15:2-4).  David had to flee from Jerusalem and, in succession, he faced rebellions also from Ziba and Shimei.  But the heartbreak had to do with Absalom who would not give up his quest to be king.  After a battle, riding on his mule, Absalom ran into an oak and was caught between branches.  There he died, and David mourned greatly, crying, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!  Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”  (18:33).  The grief of a father!  How great must have been the grief of our heavenly father who sent his son to die.  But what grace, what mercy!  With David, we can testify of how great are the woes of this world.  But with Charles Wesley we can also sing:

O what a mighty change

Shall Jesus’ followers know,

When o'er the happy plains they range,

Incapable of woe!

In that eternal day

No clouds nor tempests rise;

There gushing tears are wiped away

Forever from our eyes.   –Charles Wesley (1831)