God would ride the heavens for you.
This is close to home. Too close to home. Absalom chases his father. But look who cares for David...not his family...a host of people we know not. Strangers. One of the commentaries says: Observe how God makes up to His people through the comfort of strangers when they are disappointed in their own families. One of my darkest nights of the soul, God used that time to touch me deeply through strangers. It wasn't just one time...it happened over and over and over...and it is still happening. II Samuel 17:27 When David arrived at Mahanaim, they brought him and his people beds, basons, barley, beans...they knew.
Absalom loses his life. David loses his peace. "We are apt to over-grieve for what we over-loved." Matthew Henry. II Samuel 18:33.
PRAYER FROM PSALMS
Oh may our heart in tune be found,
like David's harp of solemn sound.
O God, when our hearts are out of tune,
please make what ails us right inside.
May our confidence be only in You,
just as David says in Psalm 3:2.
You are our Shield!
You are the lifter of our head. Psalm 3:3.
Defense for the defenseless
Glory for the despised.
Joy for the comfortless.
There is no God like the God of Jeshurun
Who rides the Heavens to help.
OVERVIEW: II Samuel 16-18
Do you think David loved his son Absalom too much as Matthew Henry stated? As a parent, I would think my ultimate concern would be for my child, even if he'd betrayed me. I'm sure there is such a thing as misplaced grief, but I can't imagine David losing a son and not grieving like this.
ReplyDeleteIn our crazy families, may God comfort us in our pain, realign our allegiances to Him alone, and be our sure defense in times of conflict. Even if...even through...the unthinkable losses and suffering.
I think David felt a combination of emotions at the loss of his son. First, an overwhelming sense of loss. I can imagine the sense of dissappointment his son turned against him. He most likely felt shame because he wasn't a good role model. Perhaps he let his son down when he needed him most and he was consumed by guilt.
DeleteI don't think anyone can love a child too much, but relationships often become unhealthy due to insecurites, judgemental attitudes, and unreal expectations.
In response to all of the above, I believe the correct and best way is to turn to God. When God is the center, relationships have God in the middle of two people, God, and both parties will be blessed.
Today's reading reminds me of someone I've prayed with many times over the years. After a family rift which brought grief and stole her peace; we prayed travailing prayers for the Lord to show her what the root cause was. He showed her she had made her child and grandchildren idols somewhere along the way. She repented and the family was restored to health in less than a week.
ReplyDeleteAs much as David loved the Lord, did his love for his son become unbalanced at some point which inflamed the situation?
@ Annette G - Amen!